When you first load Europa, you are presented with a dialog box that allows you to log in as an existing character, or create a new character. If you are new to Europa, or are new to this particular server, then you will have to create a new character. Passwords are not encrypted for security so please do not use a password that you are already using for another system . After successfully logging in, the game selection board appears. The chat window allows characters to 'chat' with each other before, during and after playing a game.
Players say something by typing in the edit control in the bottom of the window.
When they hit enter, the message is distributed to all of the open chat windows of all the players, prefixed by the name of the character who is speaking and a colon. The game selection board allows characters to join and quit games by moving the mouse over a cell in the grid and clicking in it. Clicking on a moon with 2 satellites will place you in the queue for that 2 player game. When another player joins that game, a game board will be loaded and presented to you. Similarly, if a character selects a three player game, he or she will have to wait for two more players to join before a game will actually begin.