I've been playing SH3 since release date and want to soon try MP. Couple questions:

(1) I have two specific fellows I'd like to meet up with in MP. Is that even possible? That is, can I invite-only a server session?

(2) Our goal is to play RuB 1.43 (not yet released), so we would all have a 'virgin' patch 1.4b plus RuB 1.43 only, on each machine. Since all files on all machines should be the same for these three players, will we be able to MP -- even though we aren't on patch 1.4b?

Thanks in advance!