Public Beta Testing - New Global LAN Gaming System

[Jared]

Greetings All,

On December 1, 2025 IAPS Security Services, Ltd. will begin holding public beta trials for our upcoming release of a new gaming platform for computer users that like to play Local Area Network (LAN Games) between their friends. The unique part of this system is that it brings together several users to several hundreds of users spread out across the world and puts them all on an isolated local area network (LAN) and makes it as though all users are in the same house and connected to the same router. Therefore, any game would see all remote users as being local, and the game can be played as though everyone was locally in the same room no matter how far apart they physically are in the real world.

This system uses a split-tunnel vpn gateway as the conduit and transport agent. It features a gigabit internet relay system and does not impose on your local internet service provider in any way at all. When you are connected to a split-tunnel vpn system you still keep your local internet service providers public ip address, but you also connected to the internal network of another network at the same time. Meaning you have the benefit of being on two networks simultaneously without interfering with each other. The split-tunnel gateway vpn in this case only performs the routing for dhcp packets, meaning that it doesn't interfere with any part of your normal internet connection. So if you wanted to stream your gaming session live, you could do that at the same time your playing and the split-tunnel vpn wouldn't interfere with your local internet service providers speed at all. You just get the benefit of being on a large inter-connected internal network to bring all players under one simulated roof.

The public beta testing will include support for all Microsoft Windows and Mac operating systems. Desktops, laptops, and mobile devices will all be supported. Skype chat will be active amongst all players during beta testing for constant real-time communication between players and IAPS staff and administrators while we preview the system and explain how everything works. We will be beta testing the Call of Duty 4 game and we will provide copies of the game to those interested participants.

We ask that those people interested in participating in this public beta test to rsvp (let us know in advance) of your interest by registering in the forum here and stating your intent in this thread so we have an idea of how many participants we will have joining us on that day. We do not have a set time yet for this event, so the starting time will be announced closer to December 1, 2016. This event will be held for approximately 12 hours and may run even longer depending upon how large the participant pool is.

For any additional questions or comments, please use this thread only so that any possible questions and answers can be displayed for everyone's benefit and we reduce as much confusion as possible. Thank you for your time and we hope to see as many people as possible join us for this public beta test as it will be a lan party to remember!

[Blue]

I can attest to the success of the private testing of this platform for LAN gamers and that the testers connected using local DSL, cable, and fiber networks all experienced game play as if they were in the same livingroom.

I would like to note that many pc games no longer support LAN play and force you to play multi-player games on the game manufacturer game servers which for many players who just want to play with friends is confusing and unacceptable.

IAPS chose COD4 as the game supports multi-player LAN play and for those interested in this public beta test I can provide a link upon request (PM) which lists multiplayer pc games that support LAN game play.

After the public beta test is completed, this service would be a great opportunity for local gamers who have moved around the world to reconnect and enjoy their own LAN game party together wherever they are.

[Jared]

The skype gaming room is now open to the public:
https://join.skype.com/rNX3g1bNl066

We had early previews today that went over well indeed. We will do more early previews tomorrow.

[Jared]

I can confirm that Mac gamers are fully covered under the beta testers initiative.

[Blue]

Alright, with the dawn of the public beta test upon us, a recap.

The gaming network isn't a VPN nor can it be used as such. It also is not a game server and no games are provided (except for beta testing).
Members must have copies of the games installed on their machines in order to play with friends or others.

The gaming network is essentially a LAN network and as such, games must be LAN play compatible.
When you and others connect to the gaming network, and if each of you have the game you want to play installed on your local machines, you will be issued a local LAN IP address and the person hosting the game shares this with the other players.
The person hosting the game starts the game, and the other players connect via LAN connection to the hosts LAN IP address issued when you logged onto the gaming network.

Members or testers who have copies of games other than the games provided during testing are free to play those games amongst themselves while others play other games. This is part of the full testing of the network.
All we ask if you are playing games separately from admin testers, that you respond here or by skype to myself or Jared with your experience with LAN play. Please keep in mind that any games played must be LAN play compatible.

See you in the game group.

[Jared]

I would prefer that all participants join the skype room for beta testers first: https://join.skype.com/fI9JNJN3X3QA

This way we have an idea how many players there are and we can coordinate in real time with multiple staff members of IAPS as well as our community liaisons. Thank you.

[Blue]

I would only add that as this is a "public" beta test, the best way to join and introduce yourselves is via the skype group Jared created.

You will not need to create a store account to join the skype group or become a tester, but delivery of all Openvpn program and/or config files needed in order to join the LAN network for testing will only be done via email as that is how the IAPS subscriber system is currently setup to deliver this information to subscribers. There will be no exceptions for delivering the information needed to join the LAN network.

As this is the current method of information delivery, it is also cover under the policies IAPS has for subscribers and that is your email address or other information will not be shared with any third parties. Your information is as secure as if you are a subscriber.

Thank you in advance for your interest in participating in the testing of this new service and we hope to see you soon in the skype group.

Play On

[Blue]

The beta testing of the LAN gaming network is now complete. All tests were successful with many thanks to all the participants. We hope to see this new product offering in the store in the future.
Thanks again to all who participated.