| Microsoft DirectX 9.0 SDK Update (Summer 2003) |
DirectPlay Lobby
A lobby is an application with the primary purpose of helping users arrange multiplayer games. The lobby is usually an application that is hosted on a remote server. The user visits the lobby, typically through the Internet, and either sets up a game session or joins a session started by someone else. The lobby application then launches the group's individual game applications, and the game is underway.
Because many multiplayer games are arranged through lobbies, most games based on Microsoft® DirectPlay® must be able to interact with lobby applications. Conversely, because most lobbies will want to support DirectPlay-based games, the lobby application must be able to interact with the game application. This document discusses how to enable a Microsoft DirectX® game to interact with a lobby and vice versa.