XNA networking on windows

Question

1. What are XNA's builtin network functionalities?
2. Is it possible to use XNA's builtin network in windows? If so, any restrictions?

Answer 1

If you use the Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Net namespace classes, you are restricted to local, subnet and Games for Windows Live (which means the developer having a Creator's club membership and players having a Silver/free GFWL membership).

However, as long as you're not planning on also supporting Xbox 360 or Zune (or Windows Phone 7), you can simply use the System.Net classes (though finding available games will be up to you and would require a server component).

See also:

• Getting Started With Networked Games
• How To: Create a Network Session
• How To: Find and Join a Network Session