LAN tunneling via steam over the internet

[TRIGRHAPPY]

Steam has many old games that no longer have multiplayer support (because they relied on discontinued services). However, MANY of those older games still support multiplayer over LAN. Steam can use that LAN functionality to preserve online multiplayer for games that no longer have it. It would be relatively simple to do, and if done by steam, it could be done smartly so that friends could easily join your game, invites could be sent, etc. As far as I know, it shouldn't even require any new licensing or expenses on Valve's part to implement.

While I realize there are external programs that perform a similar function, I think steam is really the best place to implement it. This restoration of seamless online multiplayer for many classic games would be a boon for steam's marketing as well.

[Zekiran]

Unfortunately that would absolutely breech a lot of legal contracts, as Steam doesn't have the right to interfere with any publisher's products like that. also, no it would not be 'easy'.

There are programs that can do this, I doubt that steam would be willing to risk legal issues doing so.

I feel you though: there are a bunch of great once-mp games out there, that can no longer be enjoyed. Hell, FEAR multiplayer for instance... but Steam picked up what they could of the defunct gamespy stuff - but not all of it, because... licensing issues.

[Black Blade]

Originally posted by Zekiran:

Unfortunately that would absolutely breech a lot of legal contracts, as Steam doesn't have the right to interfere with any publisher's products like that. also, no it would not be 'easy'.

There are programs that can do this, I doubt that steam would be willing to risk legal issues doing so.

I feel you though: there are a bunch of great once-mp games out there, that can no longer be enjoyed. Hell, FEAR multiplayer for instance... but Steam picked up what they could of the defunct gamespy stuff - but not all of it, because... licensing issues.

I don't really see where Valve is breaching anything ni this case? there his talking about just making a virtual local network basically, there is no need to touch the game, its to do with the PC networking I think

[TRIGRHAPPY]

I can't say I understand how on earth two people opening what amounts to a VPN connection, completely external to the game, is "interfering" with the game. Yes, it would be easy. In fact, it can be done now in a very hacky way with launch options....but that's not a way that can expect mass adoption or use by those with little networking knowledge.

With that said, I am confident there's plenty of aspects to Valve's various contracts and terms of service that may have provisions prohibiting this.... and I understand why some publishers would take an issue with older versions of their game being able to be played multiplayer over the internet again.

I guess my only question is..... is that actually the case, or are you just conjecturing that is probably the case?

I should add, that even if that is the case for *some* games, I'm confident that many publishers of old games would LOVE for steam to have such a feature so they would sell many of their older titles without actually doing any work.

[Satoru]

There are already plenty of 3rd party tools that do this

It’s not really worth steams time to try to set up its own VPN service just to accommodate older games. It already has an API and systems newer games can use and it’d be better suited for them to concentrate there

[TRIGRHAPPY]

Originally posted by Satoru:

There are already plenty of 3rd party tools that do this

It’s not really worth steams time to try to set up its own VPN service just to accommodate older games. It already has an API and systems newer games can use and it’d be better suited for them to concentrate there

Yes, and there were plenty of 3rd party instant messaging programs before Valve created its own. There were plenty of 3rd party voice chat programs before Valve implemented its own. There were plenty of 3rd party streaming applications before valve implemented its own.

It's a suggestion forum. Why suggest anything at all to improve steam if the fact that its done by outside programs is a legitimate reason not to even consider it?

[帝 Mikado 帝]

This is a great idea. Nothing illegal about it. There is a program that does this LAN feature over the WAN called Hamachi. You could play up to 5 friends for free w/o paying and appear as you're in the same room. Steam is a game giant, there is no reason they shouldn't have this implemented. This should be a no brainer!

[Ettanin]

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/10/2953754543766451338/

Already suggested before. I don't think it's going to happen because a generic solution can be abused to distribute illegal content anonymously.

[PEeixeACHA]

thx