Introduction to DirectPlay

The Microsoft® DirectPlay® API provides developers with the tools to develop multiplayer applications such as games or chat clients. For simplicity, this documentation will refer to all such applications as games. A multiplayer application has two basic characteristics.

• Two or more individual users, each with a game client on their computer.
• Network links that enable the users' computers to communicate with each other, perhaps through a centralized server.

DirectPlay provides a layer that largely isolates your application from the underlying network. For most purposes, your application can simply use the DirectPlay API, and enable DirectPlay to handle the details of network communication. DirectPlay provides many features that simplify the process of implementing many aspects of a multiplayer application, including:

• Creating and managing both peer-to-peer and client/server sessions
• Managing users and groups within a session
• Managing messaging between the members of a session over different network links and varying network conditions
• Enabling applications to interact with lobbies
• Enabling users to communicate with each other by voice

This documentation provides a high-level overview of the capabilities of DirectPlay. Subsequent sections will take you into the details of how to use DirectPlay in your multiplayer game.

• Creating and Managing Sessions
• DirectPlay Network Communication
• Communicating with DirectPlay Objects
• DirectPlay Lobby Support
• DirectPlay Voice Communication

Note:   If you are manufacturing or developing a telecommunications device using the DirectPlay Voice API, it is recommended that you determine whether your product complies with Section 255 of the U.S. Communications Act (47 U.S.C. Sec. 255). That law and associated FCC rules are aimed at ensuring telecommunications devices are accessible to people with disabilities. More information about Section 255 is available from the Disabilities Rights Office at the FCC at www.fcc.gov/cib/dro/. You can also visit www.microsoft.com/enable for more information on accessibility and Microsoft products.