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 [https://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/360012369553-Which-2K-Games-Have-Servers-Online 2K], EA and Ubisoft are notorious for using intrusive [[Copy_protection|copy protection]], acquiring IPs and developers and then turning them to zombiezombies, instead of using or turning their games to P2P-based online infastructure they are shutting down their own custom/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 /or game experience alive, or even "revive" it, by creating their own functioning service.

These shouldn't be confused with [[#LAN_Tunneling_Programs|LAN tunneling (LAN multiplayer over internet)]] and offline multiplayer gaming over LAN support such as: System Link for XBOX home console systems/local connection. [[Wikipedia:Peer-to-peer|P2P infrastructure]] based games are included for informational purposes regarding their availability, even if the primary focus might be on the private servers. While some games listed below use [[Wikipedia:Peer-to-peer|peer-to-peer]] (P2P) infrastructure, they might have private servers for authentication phase and just because a game has a dedicated private server for online feature support doesn't mean it has matchmaking capable. There are various online features for games such as: Leaderboards, User Generated Content, Clans etc. Some games might only support some of the [[#Private_Platform_Servers|platform service]] functionalities such as [https://x.com/Insignia_Live/status/1551570707754078208 Live Aware] from Xbox Live. (e.g. Red Dead Revolver)

|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|PS2|PSP|Xbox}}

|{{✗}}WIP?|N[https:/A/wiimmfi.de/stat?m=25 Wimmfi] (NDS)

|{{✗}}WIP?|N[https:/A/wiimmfi.de/stat?m=25 Wimmfi] (NDS)

|align=left|{{Icon|PS2|PSP|Xbox|Windows}}

|{{Y✓}}

|align=left|{{Icon|PS2|PSP|Windows|360}}

|{{Y✓}}|<small>[[Xbox_network#Xbox_360|Xenia WebServices]](Xenia)<br/>[https://github.com/juce/fiveserver fiveserver](Windows)<br/>[[Early_Online_Services#Network_Adaptor_.28PS2.29|Cristian]](PCSX2)<br/>[[PlayStation_Portable_emulators#Connectivity|AdHoc]](PPSSPP)</small>|{{Icon|Windows|360|PS2|PSP}}

|align=left|{{Icon|PS2|Wii|NDS|PS3|PSP|Windows|360}}

|{{Y✓}}

|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|360|PS2|PSP}}|{{✗}}<br/><small>TDU1 server has been [https://www.facebook.com/343556031504/posts/the-tdu1-server-has-been-shut-down-we-thank-you-for-playing-and-encourage-you-to/10151187078811505/?locale=en_US&_fb_noscript=1 shut down in September 2012]. PS2 and PSP version shut down in 2009.</small>

These kind of programs usually creates/uses a network configuration that creates a virtual LAN connection and then allow systems to network with each other '''over the internet''' simulates connecting over LAN. 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]] or [[Wikipedia:LAN_gaming_center|LAN gaming center]] 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 software isn't just for PC games, some of them such as for example, XLink Kai usually supports lots of system if the system and game supports LAN/local connection. Consoles with LAN/local connection support capabilities;

This means you can use some of these LAN tunneling programs on for 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]]. See [https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/List_of_games_with_LAN_multiplayer PCGamingWiki: List of games with LAN multiplayer on PC], or see [[:Category:Consoles|Consoles]] category for individual dedicated system pages to see LAN tunneling support and compatibility.