======= Why am I informed in the MapBase that I have not installed the aLobby? ======

The message can have the following reasons:

  * You have actually not installed the aLobby.
    * Solution 1: Register for the [[https://lobby.siedler3.net/|aLobby]], download the software and start the program. Then you can download the maps as described below.
    * Solution 2: Click on the download link in the message.
  * You have installed the aLobby.
    * Cause: You probably have an outdated browser that does not support direct download.
    * Solution: Use another browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Vidaldi).

===== The reason for the message =====

**The __aLobby__ offers the possibility to download Settlers 3 maps directly from the MapBase without any handling with files and to start them immediately in Settlers 3.** The aLobby always downloads the latest version of the map.

// There are several ways to do this://

  * Search for a map in the "New Game" dialog of the aLobby and start a game with it. At that moment the aLobby checks if you already have the map and if yes, if it is up to date - if no, it is automatically downloaded, stored in the Settlers 3 Map directory and started immediately. If you don't have the map yet, the same happens.
  * You click in the aLobby on an open game whose map you do not have. Again, the aLobby checks the map and downloads it automatically.
  * You click on the MapBase to download the map. The browser forwards the download directly to the aLobby started parallel to the browser and downloads it. Immediately afterwards a game can be started in the aLobby.

**All in all it is a considerable simplification in handling map files with Settlers 3.**.

<alert type="warning">**Warning:** If you use maps of the Mapbase without aLobby there is a risk that you are using an outdated version of a map file. This can cause problems if your fellow players have different versions of the same map file.</alert>