I want to make a multiplayer internet game for PC.

Basically 2 people will enter a ring and fight each other. That is the whole concept of the game.

Am I to understand that if I use the XNA network API, in order for my players to play, they will have to have an XNA creators club membership?

It depends on your platform and how you are deploying to the end users.

See http://blogs.msdn.com/xna/archive/2007/11/16/xna-framework-networking-and-live-requirements.aspx

It will work like this:

Player 1 opens up the game.

Player 1 logs into the game.

After being authenticated with the server, player 1 has the option to join a fight with another random player who is also currently logged in. There could be thousands of players logged in fighting and waiting to fight.

Once Player 1 clicks the fight button, he is put in a queue that checks to see if there is anyone else waiting to fight. Once 2 participants are ready then they are matched up against each other in a ring and they fight one another.

That is the whole concept of the game...its going to be very simple...and I do not want my players to have to have a creators club membership just to play the game.

So should I go with lidgren, or can this be done with the XNA network API (which is what I would prefer using)?

The XNA Systems built in netowrking uses the xbox live system so you will need to follow their rules, but remember that the XNA Framework is just a set of Managed Classes, in this you are free to develop your own network interfaces or use pre existing ones to get the job done. But if you want to have the program end up on the Xbox 360 or Zune you should look at the Xbox Live networking system, If it is only PC then you are free to do what you like.

Glenn Wilson:

 

The XNA Systems built in netowrking uses the xbox live system so you will need to follow their rules, but remember that the XNA Framework is just a set of Managed Classes, in this you are free to develop your own network interfaces or use pre existing ones to get the job done. But if you want to have the program end up on the Xbox 360 or Zune you should look at the Xbox Live networking system, If it is only PC then you are free to do what you like.

But if it is for PC to PC internet play and I use the XNA network API then anyone who wants to play my game will have to have a creators club account?

Yes.