Difference between revisions of "Tutorial: Connection"

Latest revision as of 18:28, 2 September 2022

Tutorial Portal
Setup and Registration (PC) · Kancolle Android Version · Connection · Troubleshooting · Basic Gameplay · FAQ · Glossary
Other Tutorials · Help pages

Currently, the game is only available to people connecting with Japanese IP addresses. Thus, this page guides on how to bypass this restriction.

There are two options to connect to the game:

Bypassing the existing blocks: general DMM cookie-based block and KanColle gadget server block. Bypassing methods are recommended, please try using them first.
- In summary, using a viewer that supports both bypass options and enabling those options is enough. Such viewers include: KC3Kai, Poi (nightly version with a plugin), ElectronicObserver (fork), GotoBrowser (for Android).
- Non-viewer solutions include: KCCacheProxy, DMM extension (for Chrome), Redirector extension (for other browsers, a custom config should be imported, cookie fix should be applied manually).
Using a VPN or proxy (actually using a Japanese IP).

Note that for creating a new game account, it is necessary to use a Japanese VPN, preferably with all other methods disabled.

Bypassing Blocks

KanColle Gadget Server Block

Since February 26, 2020, KanColle gadget server is blocking all non-Japanese IP addresses directly; thus, extra steps are required to load the game:

On Android GotoBrowser can be used: a substitute gadget server will be used if the "alter gadget URL" option is enabled in settings. The substitute server will serve the login assets, allowing a user to log in without needing to access the actual gadget server. Additional connection options can be used as well. Clearing cache may be required.
Poi (latest nightly version) can use a local cache folder, allowing to serve the login assets from a local folder, again, bypassing the need to connect to the real gadget server. The "3rd party cache" folder can be found in common settings (%appdata%/poi/MyCache be default on Windows), the path to login assets should be 3rd party cache folder/KanColle/gadget_html5 (%appdata%/poi/MyCache/KanColle/gadget_html5 for Windows; technically, only gadget_html5 folder is required to log in). Clearing cache in common settings and restarting the viewer may be required. A plugin can be used to automatically update the local cache.
Options for Chrome:
- KC3Kai has an option to use a substitute gadget server (such as https://kcwiki.github.io/cache/ or http://luckyjervis.com/).
- A minimal specialized extension that handles both DMM cookie block and gadget server block.
- Redirector extension with a custom config (supports other browsers as well).
KCCacheProxy can be used with browsers and viewers that support proxy connections. It serves assets from a local cache and so should also speed up asset loading.

General DMM Cookie-based Block

To ensure that region-restricted pages are accessed only from Japan DMM is using an IP check to set a region flag in its cookies every time a page is loaded. Then the flag is used to check if a region-restricted page can be accessed. It is possible to bypass this restriction by changing the flag right before loading each page or by setting a path-overriding cookie.

The following tools automatically override the necessary cookies when needed:

Poi, the cookie setting should be enabled.
If you want to browse other DMM games, and not just play KanColle, on Chrome you can use one of the following extensions:
- KC3Kai, the cookie setting should be enabled.
- Minimal specialized extension.
- Note that some games are using IP blocks, so those extensions will not work for them.

To override the cookies manually:

Log into dmm.com if not logged in already, choose an interface language if asked. Make sure the page is fully loaded once you logged in.
Open the developer tools.
Copy-paste the following code into the console:

expires=new Date(+new Date()+31536e6).toUTCString()
document.cookie=`ckcy=1;expires=${expires};path=/netgame;domain=.dmm.com`

Execute it by pressing Enter or Ctrl + Enter for Internet Explorer.
Then use the address bar or a bookmark to go directly to the KanColle play page, you will still need a KanColle gadget server block fix.

VPN or Proxy

Different VPN and proxy server providers can be used, as long as they have Japanese locations. Refer to their documentation on how to use them.

Note that VPN/Proxy is only required during login (the real gadget server will be accessed via a Japanese IP address) and can be disabled afterward (game servers do not require a Japanese IP).

One free option is VPN Gate, an "Academic Experiment Project" by the University of Tsukuba. The site can also be used to check your apparent IP address and location. It is NOT recommended to be used when you are handling sensitive data such as when entering your card details.

Windows

Download and install the client.
Select a Japanese server in it using "VPN Gate Public VPN Relay Servers".
Alternatively, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, or MS-SSTP options can be used.

Mac/Linux

Simply import an OpenVPN config file of a Japanese server in your network manager.
Alternatively, there is L2TP/IPsec interface, which is usually pre-installed, so it is possible to set it up directly without installing any clients.

Other free options include:

ProtonVPN.
Chrome extensions such as SetupVPN can be used as well.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Tutorialportal}}
-Currently, the game is only available to people connecting with a Japanese IP address; thus, this page guides new users on bypassing this restriction.
+Currently, the game is only available to people connecting with Japanese IP addresses. Thus, this page guides on how to bypass this restriction.
-Here's a link to a Quick Video OverView/Tutorial on the Provided Options (Mainly Option 3):
+There are two options to connect to the game:
+* Bypassing the existing blocks: [[#General DMM Cookie-based Block|general DMM cookie-based block]] and [[#KanColle Gadget Server Block|KanColle gadget server block]]. Bypassing methods are recommended, please try using them first.
+** In summary, using a viewer that supports both bypass options and enabling those options is enough. Such viewers include: [https://github.com/KC3Kai/KC3Kai KC3Kai], [https://github.com/poooi/poi Poi] ([https://nightly.poi.moe/ nightly] version with a [https://github.com/kcwiki/poi-plugin-let-me-in plugin]), [https://github.com/gre4bee/ElectronicObserver ElectronicObserver] (fork), [https://github.com/antest1/GotoBrowser GotoBrowser] (for Android).
+** Non-viewer solutions include: [https://github.com/Tibowl/KCCacheProxy KCCacheProxy], [https://github.com/kcwiki/chrome-extension-dmm DMM extension] (for Chrome), [https://github.com/einaregilsson/Redirector Redirector extension] (for other browsers, a [https://github.com/kcwiki/cache/blob/master/redirector.json custom config] should be imported, cookie fix should be applied [[#General DMM Cookie-based Block|manually]]).
+* Using a [[#VPN or Proxy|VPN or proxy]] (actually using a Japanese IP).
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EU9Oklro90
+'''Note that for creating a new game account, it is necessary to use a Japanese VPN, preferably with all other methods disabled.'''
-==Option 1: VPN Gate Client==
+__TOC__
-'''Windows'''
+==Bypassing Blocks==
-# Head over to [http://www.vpngate.net/en/ VPN Gate], an "Academic Experiment Project" by the University of Tsukuba.
+===KanColle Gadget Server Block===
-# Download, install and run the client.
+Since February 26, 2020, KanColle gadget server is blocking all non-Japanese IP addresses directly; thus, extra steps are required to load the game:
-# Select a Japanese server in "VPN Gate Public VPN Relay Servers".
+* On Android [https://github.com/antest1/GotoBrowser GotoBrowser] can be used: a substitute gadget server will be used if the "alter gadget URL" option is enabled in settings. The substitute server will serve the login assets, allowing a user to log in without needing to access the actual gadget server. [https://antest1.github.io/GotoBrowser/howto.html Additional] connection options can be used as well. Clearing cache may be required.
-'''Mac / UNIX-based'''
+* [https://github.com/poooi/poi Poi] (latest [https://nightly.poi.moe/ nightly] version) can use a local cache folder, allowing to serve the [https://github.com/kcwiki/cache login assets] from a local folder, again, bypassing the need to connect to the real gadget server. The "3rd party cache" folder can be found in common settings (<code>%appdata%/poi/MyCache</code> be default on Windows), the path to login assets should be <code>3rd party cache folder/KanColle/gadget_html5</code> (<code>%appdata%/poi/MyCache/KanColle/gadget_html5</code> for Windows; technically, only <code>gadget_html5</code> folder is required to log in). Clearing cache in common settings and restarting the viewer may be required. A [https://github.com/kcwiki/poi-plugin-let-me-in plugin] can be used to automatically update the local cache.
-* There is L2TP VPN interface that has been pre-installed in your kernel system. You can directly set it up without needing to download any clients or using similar software to let you execute Windows-only clients. However, in case your network is blocking the usage of L2TP, you will still need to download VPN clients to let you use VPN with different protocols.
+* Options for Chrome:
+** [https://github.com/KC3Kai/KC3Kai KC3Kai] has an option to use a substitute gadget server (such as https://kcwiki.github.io/cache/ or http://luckyjervis.com/).
+** [https://github.com/kcwiki/chrome-extension-dmm A minimal specialized extension] that handles both DMM cookie block and gadget server block.
+** [https://github.com/einaregilsson/Redirector Redirector extension] with a [https://github.com/kcwiki/cache/blob/master/redirector.json custom config] (supports other browsers as well).
+* [https://github.com/Tibowl/KCCacheProxy KCCacheProxy] can be used with browsers and viewers that support proxy connections. It serves assets from a local cache and so should also speed up asset loading.
-==Option 2: Creating an L2TP or STTP VPN connection (Windows 8)==
+===General DMM Cookie-based Block===
-This method works for Windows 7 as well, but the wording of the settings might be different.
+To ensure that region-restricted pages are accessed only from Japan DMM is using an IP check to [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Set-Cookie set] a region flag in its cookies every time a page is loaded. Then the flag is [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Cookie used] to check if a region-restricted page can be accessed. It is possible to bypass this restriction by changing the flag right before loading each page or by setting a path-overriding cookie.
-#Go to [http://www.vpngate.net/en/ VPN Gate], and find a Japanese server that supports either "L2TP/IPsec" or "MS-STTP" connections.
-#Copy the server's address (eg. '''<span style="font-size:9pt;">vg2036075803.opengw.net)</span>'''<span style="font-size:9pt;">. For STTP-supporting servers, copy the address plus the port number, shown in the MS-STTP column.</span>
-#"Set up a new connection or network" in Network and Sharing Center.
-#"Connect to a workplace"
-#"Use my Internet connection (VPN)"
-#Paste the address (plus the port, for STTP), name the VPN connection as you wish and click on "Create".
-#(L2TP users skip to step 8 for now) The VPN connection should appear in "Network Connections" (or the sidebar that appears when you click on the network icon in the taskbar). When asked for Username and Password, input "vpn" for both.
-#For L2TP users, you must find the network connection that was just created, and go to its "Properties" by right clicking on the just-created connection in "Network Connections". Go to the "Security" tab, select L2TP/IPsec as the "Type of VPN" and then click on "Advanced settings". Select "Use preshared key for authentication" and then input "vpn". Apply the settings. Connect to the VPN as per step 7.
-This method is for users of Mac and UNIX-based systems:
+The following tools automatically override the necessary cookies when needed:
-#Open Network Preferences.
+* [https://poi.moe/ Poi], the cookie setting should be enabled.
-#Click add connection, then select VPN (L2TP)
+* If you want to browse other DMM games, and not just play KanColle, on Chrome you can use one of the following extensions:
-#Go to [http://www.vpngate.net/en/ VPN Gate], and find a Japanese server that supports either "L2TP/IPsec" connections.
+** [https://github.com/KC3Kai/KC3Kai KC3Kai], the cookie setting should be enabled.
-#Copy the server's address (eg. '''<span style="font-size:9pt;">vg2036075803.opengw.net)</span>'''<span style="font-size:9pt;">. </span>
+** [https://github.com/kcwiki/chrome-extension-dmm Minimal specialized extension].
-#Paste the address to the "Server Address", and type '''vpn''' as the "Account Name".
+** Note that some games are using IP blocks, so those extensions will not work for them.
-#Click "Authentication Setting", then type '''vpn''' for both available textboxes. You do not need to change anything else.
-#Click "Advanced", and tick '''Send all traffic over VPN Connection'''.
-#Click OK, then Apply, and test the connection using the "Connect" button.
-#If the VPN fails, try to add the IP address to the "Server Address" instead of the full server name.<br />If this one fails too, you can try turning off your whole internet connection for 1-2 minutes before trying to connect to the VPN again. This issue sometimes occurs when you suddenly disconnect from the VPN due to a poor connection or incomplete request.
-==Option 3: Editing DMM Cookie's Region Flag==
+To override the cookies manually:
+* Log into [https://www.dmm.com/ dmm.com] if not logged in already, choose an interface language if asked. Make sure the page is fully loaded once you logged in.
+* [https://kb.mailster.co/how-can-i-open-the-browsers-console/ Open the developer tools].
+* Copy-paste the following code into the '''console''':
+<syntaxhighlight lang="javascript">
+expires=new Date(+new Date()+31536e6).toUTCString()
+document.cookie=`ckcy=1;expires=${expires};path=/netgame;domain=.dmm.com`
+</syntaxhighlight>
+<!--
+** https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6265.
+** <code>path=/netgame</code> overrides <code>path=/</code> which is set by DMM.
+** <code>expires</code> date should be ahead of the current date by one year, although any future date will work.
+-->
+* Execute it by pressing '''Enter''' or '''Ctrl + Enter''' for Internet Explorer.
+* Then use the address bar or a bookmark to go directly to the [http://www.dmm.com/netgame/social/-/gadgets/=/app_id=854854/ KanColle play page], you will still need a [[#Gadget Server Block|KanColle gadget server block]] fix.
-===Usage===
+==VPN or Proxy==
-# Log into DMM.com
+Different VPN and proxy server providers can be used, as long as they have Japanese locations. Refer to their documentation on how to use them.
-# Switch the language of the site from English to Japanese (日本語) at the top of the site.
-# Open the Developer Bar (F12), put these lines into the Console and execute (by pressing the [Enter] key).
-<pre>
-document.cookie = "ckcy=1;expires=Sun, 09 Feb 2019 09:00:09 GMT;domain=osapi.dmm.com;path=/";
-document.cookie = "ckcy=1;expires=Sun, 09 Feb 2019 09:00:09 GMT;domain=203.104.209.7;path=/";
-document.cookie = "ckcy=1;expires=Sun, 09 Feb 2019 09:00:09 GMT;domain=www.dmm.com;path=/netgame/";
-document.cookie = "ckcy=1;expires=Sun, 09 Feb 2019 09:00:09 GMT;domain=log-netgame.dmm.com;path=/";
-</pre>
-===Advantages===
+Note that VPN/Proxy is only required during login (the real gadget server will be accessed via a Japanese IP address) and can be disabled afterward (game servers do not require a Japanese IP).
-* Works for any OS or browser
-* You do not need to download or install any third-party software
-* You will have access until you specifically clear your browser cookies
-* It is fast, since you'll be using your direct internet connection
-===How it works===
+One free option is [https://www.vpngate.net/en/ VPN Gate], an "Academic Experiment Project" by the University of Tsukuba. The site can also be used to check your apparent IP address and location. It is '''NOT''' recommended to be used when you are handling sensitive data such as when entering [[Shop/Purchasing|your card details]].
-[[File:Region_cookies_101.jpg|thumb]]
-* You use the browser's dev tools console to write cookies on your computer. Nothing has been transmitted to the server at this point.
-* Once you refresh DMM, it will now check for the cookies. Your browser includes these cookies as a part of the HTTP header on your refresh.
-* DMM will now see the new region flag on the cookies, (''which they do not know you faked since it was given by your browser'') and grant you access.
-* Choose your netgame and play
-{{clr}}
-==API Links==
+'''Windows'''
-===Introduction===
-'''<span style="color:#f00">Getting an API Link requires you to be able to view the game first, thus you will need one of the three options on this article to initially connect to the game.</span>'''
-* An API Link is a web address pointing directly to your KanColle account.
-* If you acquire this, you can visit it as a quick way to login.
-* Since it is a direct link, it bypasses DMM, thus bypasses country restrictions as well.
-* It is safe and is being used by the majority of the foreign community at this point.
-{{Warning
-|title = Security Considerations for API Links
-|message = The API link bypasses login and opens your account directly. '''Be very careful not to let others see your link''' (e.g. when streaming or posting screenshots of the game). Anyone who gets a hold of your API Link can also access and control your account!
-}}
-===Get via Network Logs===
-This is probably the easiest way to get an API link without third-party tools.
-[[File:Api_link_via_network.jpg|thumb]]
-# Open your browser DevTools by pressing F12.
-# Open the game
-# Go to the '''Network''' tab
-# Filter/Search for: '''<code>Maind2</code>'''
-# There will be only one result. Right-click that, and ['''Copy link address''']
-''Note: Terminologies for Chrome, there are counterparts for Firefox and other browsers''
-{{clr}}
-===Get via Manual Search===
-[[File:Tutorial-ObtainAPI.png|thumb|right|200px|Tutorial on how to obtain the API link. Click to view full size.]]
-# Open the game
-# Ctrl+Shift+I (F12) to inspect element of the page or use "Show resources list" using [https://getadblock.com Adblock], search for '''api_token''' or '''mainD2.swf'''
-#* '''Example''': <nowiki>http://125.6.189.7/kcs/mainD2.swf?api_token=xxx&api_starttime=xxx</nowiki>
-#* '''Note''': the API link unique for each server and session.
-# Copy the API link
-# Turn off your proxy/VPN and open the link in your browser.
-#* If it doesn't work, you probably copied the wrong or incomplete API link.
-# If you somehow find that your search function in the developer console is not working properly (in either Chrome or Firefox), you can also manually search for the API link by navigating the script in this order:
-#* html > body > div#w > div#main-ntg > div#page > div#area-game > iframe#game_frame > html > body > div#flashWrap > embed#externalswf
-{{clr}}
-===Important Notes===
-* You will need to get a new API link (''refresh API link'') by repeating one of the processes above, each month to reset the extra operation maps boss gauges.
-* It is also good practice to refresh your API link every in-game update (after maintenance).
-===Further Reading===
-* Looking at the diagram under the Region Cookies section, we can see that DMM is connected to the developer's server through ''Embedded Flash with API Links''.
-** DMM ('''which is not the developer''') only shows you the game by embedding a flash object on their webpage. In this case, DMM is called the "'''publisher'''".
-** This flash object points to Kadokawa's ('''these are the developers''') KanColle servers.
-** The link to this flash object is the API Link.
-* Once DMM's country restriction has been bypassed, DMM will embed a flash object, as explained, through the API Link - which in turn becomes visible to us.
-* This link that DMM used to show us the game can be reused. You can save it on a file, or have it stickied on your computer, only to open it again, without the help of DMM this time around, thus avoiding country restrictions indefinitely.
-* If Region Cookies are used, API Links seem to be useless since its original purpose, avoiding country restriction, has already been resolved. However, some still prefer API Links because you do not need to load the DMM webpage, saving you some network load.
-==Tip==
+* [https://www.vpngate.net/en/download.aspx Download] and [https://www.vpngate.net/en/howto_softether.aspx install] the client.
-To avoid having to clear your browser cache everytime you want to connect to the game, you can use another chrome alike web browser (i.e. [http://coolnovo.com CoolNovo], [http://www.chromium.org/Home Chromium], [http://www.comodo.com/home/browsers-toolbars/browser.php Comodo Dragon], [http://www.srware.net/en/software_srware_iron_download.php SRWare Iron], [http://www.rockmelt.com/ RockMelt], etc.).<br />
+* Select a Japanese server in it using "VPN Gate Public VPN Relay Servers".
-Use this browser only for KanColle and don't forget to connect to a Japanese proxy before opening it.<br />
+* Alternatively, [https://www.vpngate.net/en/howto_l2tp.aspx L2TP/IPsec], [https://www.vpngate.net/en/howto_openvpn.aspx OpenVPN], or [https://www.vpngate.net/en/howto_sstp.aspx MS-SSTP] options can be used.
-Like this, you won't have to wait for the downloading of the game's data everytime you need to connect to the game.
-==Troubleshooting==
+'''Mac/Linux'''
-''See main article: [[Tutorial: Troubleshooting]]''
-[[File:Error_.png|thumb|right]]
+* Simply import an OpenVPN config file of a Japanese server in your network manager.
-* Have you cleared your cache? ''Try doing everything again in Incognito''.
+* Alternatively, there is L2TP/IPsec interface, which is usually pre-installed, so it is possible to set it up directly without installing any clients.
-* Have you tried logging in again on DMM to play there or get a new API link?
-* Have you tried checking other sites? Maybe the problem comes from your internet connection.
-* Were you using viewers? Try logging in normally on browser.
-* Were you banned? ''Login on DMM and see a black error message''
-** Banned accounts see the cat error on API link, and black message on DMM
-* Is you computer clock correct? Have you tried switching to your correct timezone?
-** Many error screen reports relate to computer clock
-==Mobile Gameplay==
+Other free options include:
-[[File:PSA-Mobile-new.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Using phone and tablet to play Kancolle is highly discouraged. Playing on Windows Tablet PC is acceptable. Attempting to play using phones and tablets can result to getting banned.]]
+* [https://protonvpn.com/ ProtonVPN].
-{{clear}}
+* Chrome extensions such as [https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/setupvpn-lifetime-free-vp/oofgbpoabipfcfjapgnbbjjaenockbdp SetupVPN]<!-- and ?--> can be used as well.
-[[Category:Kantai Collection]]
 [[Category:Tutorial]]
 [[Category:Help]]

Difference between revisions of "Tutorial: Connection"

Latest revision as of 18:28, 2 September 2022

Contents

Bypassing Blocks

KanColle Gadget Server Block

General DMM Cookie-based Block

VPN or Proxy

Navigation menu

Search