Changes

As the internet has become more readily available over time, a lot of companies have experimented with adding online services to their products (see [[Early Online Services]]). However, because of how dependent these features can be on a single company or server they are at high risk of disappearing once the service gets shut down. [[#Private Game Servers]], especially for MMOs are at risk as the entirety of the game is based on playing online. If the game has no way of allowing the user to host their own private server then once the service ends, so does the game. This will especially be a problem in the future as more and more games are becoming more dependent on online services. Other than MMOs, private game server revive projects particularly important for preserving online experiences in AAA games where publishers like EA and Ubisoft are notorious for using intrusive [[Copy_protection|copy protection]], acquiring IPs and developers and then turning them to zombie, instead of using or turning their games to P2P-based online infastructure they are shutting down their own custom multiplayer /private servers for older titles. Revival projects ensure these kind of online experiences, aren't lost to history. Depending on interest and importance, there has been a surprising amount of fans who have come together to keep a service and game alive, or even "revive" it, by creating their own functioning service.

These kind of programs usually creates a virtual LAN connection and using connecting over LAN technique which allows for online play using connecting over LAN by creating a virtual LAN connection. This , this allows you to play games that support LAN multiplayer mode with others '''over the internet''', as if you were all on the same local network, replicating the fun of a [[Wikipedia:LAN_party|LAN party]] but without needing to be in the same physical location. Some programs even offer additional features like lobbies and chat, further enhancing the online experience. LAN tunneling isn't just for PCs, there are some consoles also have implementations, like the [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Category:Microsoft_consoles System Link feature on Xbox consoles], [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Category:Sony_consoles LAN tunneling feature on PlayStation consoles], [[Sony|Ad-hoc feature on PlayStation handhelds]], [[Wii_U_emulators#Hardware_features_and_peripherals|LAN Tunneling feature on Wii U]], [[Nintendo_Switch_emulators#Connectivity|LDN and LAN Play features on Switch]] and even on [[GameCube_emulators|GameCube]] thanks to [[GameCube_emulators#Hardware_features_and_peripherals|Broadband Adapter]]. This means you can use some of these LAN tunneling programs on your consoles as well. LAN Tunneling shouldn't be confused with [[Netplay]], [[Netplay#Online_Multiplayer_Emulation|Online Multiplayer Emulation]] and [[:Category:Online_Services|Online Services]].