Which version of the game are you running?  Try updating to at least version 1.05  (the game version is displayed at the bottom right corner when in-game).

If you're on version 1.05 (or later...ie. the BETA for 1.1) it could be a connection issue between you and ICO somewhere.....

If we're assuming there isn't an issue with the ICO servers atm (and we don't have reason to believe there is a problem with them) there could be an issue with the connection somewhere between you and them.  Following is a simple command to test this.

Try running a "trace" from your PC to ICO the next time it happens in order to see if there is a "bad hop" between you and ICO somewhere.

Run the following command from the "command-prompt":
c:\tracert xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx <-- (the IP of ICO, which if memory serves me is 38.98.152.153)

Yeah Im on Version 1.05 and yes I have Internet. The wierd thing is I play Supreme Commander Forged Alliance with an IP to IP connection with a friend and no problems. I also play Company of Heroes online on this PC and have no connection issues, its only for this particular game! i tried c:\tracert 39.98.152.152 in the command prompt but it not working, i may be typing it in wrong or something. It says Windows cannot find 'c:\tracert'.

Tracing route to 38.98.152.153 over a maximum of 30 hops

  1    <1 ms    <1 ms    <1 ms  10.30.244.2
  2    <1 ms    <1 ms    <1 ms  10.16.244.17
  3    <1 ms    <1 ms    <1 ms  10.16.248.2
  4    <1 ms    <1 ms    <1 ms  10.16.0.25
  5     *        *        *     Request timed out.
  6     *        *        *     Request timed out.
  7     *        *        *     Request timed out.
  8     *        *

Getting the same problem. Tried the IP hop thing as well, but I'm getting tons of successful hops, and I'm on version 1.05. Tried with Firewall off, port-forwarded. Says that the wrong version is detected every single time, but I know that's BS.

You should (if you haven't already) update your game to version 1.1 BETA (v1.09) via IMPULSE (www.impulsedriven.com). It has new netcode, that is able to "tunnel" past firewalls/routers.  Once you have IMPULSE installed, click the BLUE ORB and make sure you've selected "show pre-release versions" in order to "see" the BETA.

thanks,

the Monk

There are a few "bugs" which can make MP-play somewhat imbalanced (like the fact that strikecraft do not scuttle correctly and the fact that you'll know if there is an artifact on a planet even before you "explore" it).

Your choice really..

Don Nico,

Since your "trace" (tracert) keeps dropping at the same "hop" it sounds to me like something is blocking or dropping parts of your "outbound" connections somewhere along the way. 

Are you sure you don't have some firewall/security software on your system blocking something?

Would you understand what I mean if I were to suggest you modify your PC's ROUTE statement?  (ie.  adding a custom ROUTE to ICO's server?)  If you have no idea what I'm suggesting I could make myself available via my TS (teamspeak) server to talk you through some additional troubleshooting and testing to see if a "custom route" would solve your particular problem.

thanks,

the Monk

Ironclad is a damn joke! I still have yet to get online at ALL since i bought the game! Definitely the worst game i have ever tried to play online. I play Supreme Commander, Company of Heroes, Rise of Nations Gold, etc. with no problems at all, ICO is a JOKE!

Yes sir, i downloaded it immediately when it was released. I just now found the fix for all my problems i been having trying to connect. I spent hours messing with firewall settings and i finally got online! All i did was right click the desktop shortcut and clicked run as, then i deselected the checkbox that said " Protect my computer and data from unauthorized program activity." I also changed my internet connection from "Public Location" to "Trusted Location" through my firewall settings. One of those two things that i changed allowed me to connect to ICO! THIS IS GREAT! Try to get others who are having this problem to try my fix!!! THIS IS FANTASTIC! Spread the word about how i fixed this issue!!

Hey guys.... i'm getting the same error message, although i've actually been able to play online. What has been happening to me is that I'm able to join and play a game successfully on ICO (for about 45 min on average), but at some point the game events will stop and I'll eventually have to quit to the main menu. When I get back to the lobby, ICO stops responding (I can't chat or join a game), at which point I logoff (since nothing is happening). When I try to reconnect, it says "Network Error - Disconnected from Ironclad Online". I tried the tracert thing and all 13 hops responded correctly. I would love to do what Don Nico did, but I can't figure out what he's talking about. Does he have Vista? I don't see a desktop shortcut for firewall setting, except for the one on the bottom right on the toolbar. If i right click on that or anything on the start menu, there is no option to "run as". I also have no idea how to turn my internet connection from a public location to a trusted location via firewall settings, or any other way for that matter. My firewall is definitely off. I'm not even sure if my problem is even related to his, as i live in a semi-rural area on DSL. Please help!

Do you have restrictive firewall settings by any chance?

most ppl cant log in so it isnt just u

What happened? Everything worked fine last night, now i get the same message what gives?