I need help with crossover cable

ok, so i have two computers running winXP home, i want to connect them with a crossover cable so i can play a game. the game requires i type in the IP of the other user. so what IP would the computers have? or how would i force one on them?

Or you could just buy a simple 4-port hub for around $20.  That'll eliminate all these problems, and you can have two friends bring their computer over and have a nerd party.  I mean LAN party.  Whatever.