Hi, I am writing wrapper classes for DirectPlay objects as an exercise and was just wondering what is the big deal with DirectPlay lobbies? According to the SDK, players can get together in a lobby and arrange a game but how many games really use it? It seems more sensible to me to simply launch the game, get a list of servers and join one (just like in games such as Unreal). Thanks

Seems of a matter of personal preference, really. I can think of some games where the lobby make game arrangements a lot easier (*mutters something about Diablo*), and others where just popping into a game from a serverlist is better (*murmers about CounterStrike*). Like any tool given, use it when it does the job you need done, not just for the heck of using it. ;)

If your game is a game where you might be talking to other people or need to setup options for your client the same way, lobby. if its a game where you just dont care who your gonna frag next server list seems best. just my opinion.

All the same, perhaps I should include support for lobbies.