A custom made set of maps that are a more friendly for casual players, but still present a challenge
Trackmania 260426.zip (522.0 KB)
TrackMania Nations Forever — DadLAN setup, joining, Linux commands, and local maps
GitHub repo:
https://github.com/dadlan-au/Trackmania_comp
This repo contains the DadLAN TMNF server bundle, launcher source, Docker server stack, dashboard, maps, and match settings.
Joining the DadLAN servers
WireGuard is required!
Make sure:
-
TrackMania Nations Forever is installed.
-
Steam is running.
-
TrackMania itself is not already running.
-
If connecting from outside the DadLAN LAN, WireGuard must be connected.
Open one of these in a browser:
http://202.27.231.156/
http://10.20.30.105/
Download and run the launcher, then select a server.
Known servers:
Server 1: 10.20.30.105:2350
Server 2: 10.20.30.105:2351
Server 3: 10.20.30.105:2352
Linux joining commands
Linux users do not need the Windows launcher. Run the game directly through Steam with the LAN join arguments.
Server 1:
steam -applaunch 11020 /lan /join=10.20.30.105:2350
Server 2:
steam -applaunch 11020 /lan /join=10.20.30.105:2351
Server 3:
steam -applaunch 11020 /lan /join=10.20.30.105:2352
Windows manual join method
Before the launcher existed, the Windows method was:
-
Browse to the TMNF game folder in Steam.
-
Create a shortcut to
TmForever.exe. -
Right-click the shortcut and open
Properties. -
Add the LAN join arguments to the end of the
Targetline.
Example:
TmForever.exe /lan /join=202.27.231.156:2350
The launcher now does this automatically.
Why the launcher exists
TMNF dedicated servers are annoying because normal online/dedicated server joining requires a paid TrackMania United / Forever server-capable setup.
That made normal public dedicated servers unsuitable for a free TMNF DadLAN event.
The workaround is to run the game in LAN mode.
Originally, we looked at making LAN broadcast discovery work properly across the network, but that turned into a dead end. Phill found the direct join arguments:
/lan /join=IP:PORT
That fixed the connection problem, but it still meant users needed to manually create shortcuts or commands.
The launcher was created to make this easier. It acts as a middle layer for less technical users. It finds the TMNF install, shows the available DadLAN servers, and launches the game with the correct LAN join arguments.
Running a local server with custom maps
Custom tracks can be installed locally for practice.
Copy the track files into:
Documents\TrackMania\Tracks\Challenges\My Challenges
Then in TMNF:
-
Go to LAN server creation.
-
Set Game Mode to
Time Attack. -
Set Time Limit to around
5 mins. -
Click
Launch. -
Go to
My Tracksin the bottom-left. -
Select the tracks you want to play.
The green column button at the top selects all tracks.
If selecting tracks manually, the order you click them should be the order they are played.
Some circuit tracks also work in Laps mode.
Dedicated server map locations
In the GitHub server stack, maps are stored here:
server/maps/
Match settings are stored here:
server/configs/matchsettings.xml
The Docker stack mounts them into the TMNF servers as:
./configs/matchsettings.xml:/server/GameData/Tracks/MatchSettings/matchsettings.xml
./maps:/server/GameData/Tracks/Challenges/Tournament
After changing maps or match settings, restart the TMNF and XASECO services:
docker compose restart tmnf1 tmnf2 tmnf3 xaseco1 xaseco2 xaseco3
Known bugs and fixes
Opponent visibility limit
By default, TMNF may only show a limited number of visible opponents, somewhere around 6 to 24 cars.
Fix:
-
Start
Trackmania Nations Forever Settings. -
Go to
Advanced. -
Select
Customise. -
Go to
Game. -
Make sure
Opponents Limit Countis deselected.
This allows more players to be visible in-game.
White screen bug
TMNF has a known white screen compatibility issue on some systems.
Possible fix:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=448953593
Low-resolution texture bug
If the game is stuck with low-resolution textures even after changing graphics settings, follow the final step in this Reddit post:
Graphics settings break after changing advanced options
If disabling the opponent limit breaks graphics settings, use the same Reddit fix above.
Firewall warning on launcher
Your firewall or antivirus may warn about the launcher because it was created for DadLAN and is not a widely distributed signed application.
Game must be closed before joining
The launcher and direct join commands expect TMNF to not already be running.
Close the game first, then run the launcher or Linux Steam command.
Repo
GitHub: