Written by Furqan Ahmed · Updated September 26, 2026

Many older multiplayer games were built for a room full of PCs connected to one router. A virtual LAN carries that local network traffic between trusted computers over the internet, so the game's LAN or direct-IP mode can work across different homes.

OrbitLan is one way to create that network on Windows. It gives each member a private 10.69.0.x address, tries to connect peers directly, encrypts traffic between them, and can use a relay when a direct path is unavailable.

What you need

  • A 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC for each player.
  • The same compatible game version on every PC.
  • A game with LAN multiplayer or a direct-IP connection option.
  • Permission to allow the game and OrbitLan through Windows Firewall.
Compatibility is not universal. Some games depend on old services, unusual anti-cheat, or broadcast behavior that may not work over any virtual LAN. When the game offers both choices, direct IP is usually more dependable than automatic server discovery.

Connect the game in five steps

  1. Install OrbitLan on every PC. The installer sets up the virtual network adapter that carries LAN traffic.
  2. Create a room. One player creates a room and shares its six-digit code only with people they trust.
  3. Join the same room. The other players enter that code. Wait until their entries appear as connected nodes.
  4. Host inside the game. Start the game's LAN server, local multiplayer session, or dedicated server as normal.
  5. Join by LAN or private IP. Try the LAN browser first. If it does not find the host, enter the host's OrbitLan 10.69.0.x address in the game's direct-connect screen.

If the game cannot see the host

Use direct IP

LAN discovery often relies on broadcast packets and game-specific behavior. Copy the host's OrbitLan IP from the app and use the game's “Direct Connect,” “Connect to IP,” or equivalent option. Add the game's port when it asks for one.

Check Windows Firewall

Allow the game on private networks on both PCs. If Windows prompted when the game first hosted a match, confirm that private-network access was enabled. Avoid disabling the firewall entirely.

Match the game version

Players usually need the same game version, patches, and multiplayer mods. A network connection cannot resolve a version mismatch.

Expect internet latency

The game behaves like LAN software, but the physical distance still exists. Direct connections generally give the shortest available path; relay fallback improves reachability but can add latency.

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Start with the free Community Edition

Host up to four nodes, or build the unrestricted open-source project yourself.

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