When the game starts you are presented with the above menu screen. Here you can select from the three different game modes (split screen, Internet or LAN games), edit the Game Options, check the Credits or Quit the game.
The Start Split Screen Game option allows two players to play the game using a single computer. One player takes the left half of the screen, and the other the right half. This works best if you use a piece of cardboard or other divider to make sure that players cannot see what is happening on the other player's screen. (This really does improve the game – it is no fun being invisible if your opponent can just look over at your screen to see what you are doing!)
You can also use this as a "practice" mode by playing alone and taking control of only one of the knights. This is a good way for new players to familiarize themselves with the controls and how the game works before venturing into an online game.
To play online select Connect to Server from the menu. You will be taken to the following screen:
This lists all Knights servers currently active on the Internet and shows how many players are connected to each one. To connect, type the name you wish to be known by into the Player Name box, and then double click on one of the servers.
After connecting you will be taken to a lobby screen:
Here you can chat with other players in the lobby or join a game of Knights. A server can be running more than one game at a time; the available games are listed in the box at the top left. Double click on a game to join. Once two players join a game, a new empty game will be created (provided that the server's maximum number of games has not been reached).
If more than two players join a game then the surplus players will be counted as "observers". Observers cannot play, or see what is happening in the game, but they are able to chat with the existing players. When a player leaves, this will create an "empty space" that the observer can then fill, if he/she wishes.
Please note that all usage of a Knights server (including chat messages) may be recorded in the server logs. If you do not agree to this then please do not connect.
To play Knights over a LAN, the first player should select Host LAN Game, and the second should select Join LAN Game. On the joining side, a list of all Knights games found on the local network will be displayed, and the joining player simply has to double click on one of them (usually there will only be one).
LAN games use UDP port numbers 16398 and 16399, so if you can't connect, check your firewall settings to make sure that nothing is blocking those ports.
If you have a large number of LAN players (for example at a LAN party) you might prefer to run a proper Knights server on the LAN. Players will then be able to connect to this using the normal "Connect to Server" screen. For details of how to do this see Running a Knights Server.