[update. 7/12/07 - XNA GSE v2.0 has networking]

Does XNA Framework support networking?
Not at this time. Its been listed as something that is on the 'future' list.

According to the session abstracts for GameFest 2007. XNA GSE v2.0 has networking support for Windows and Xbox 360. Though since this is an abstract there are no more details available. You will have to wait until August the 13th please don't ask in the forums as nobody will answer any questions about it until then.

Jamie Fristom has mentioned that as the 1st commercial XNA Framework XBLA release they have access to some network APIs with a 'pre-pre-alpha of pro' but even he currently is on dev kit only for networking. So does this mean 'The Professional' product will have networking? Who knows... read more about the 'Pro' version.

Does the XNA Framework support Live Arcade on the 360?
No. You need to be a fully licensed developer to use the Live Arcade APIs. If you think your game is good enough you can go through the official channels http://www.microsoftcasualgames.msn.com/xla.htm. Microsoft currently has one XNA Framework game going through this process see http://www.gamedevblog.com/2007/03/some_answers.html

Does the XNA Framework support Game For Windows Live?
No. The Games for Windows live API is currently in beta and not as closed as its Xbox brother so in theory you could write your own managed wrapper to the API when it is released. However to play on the official servers requires a certification process which has a cost. There's not much public information about this but a GDC presentation covers some things http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/9/e/29e51fc7-003d-4b25-a909-8b919db830b9/live%20on%20windows%20essentials.zip

But I want to award achievements and gamer score!
Let's be realistic here - if you could write an XNA framework game that awarded achievements and scores do you honestly think my gamer score would be as low as it currently is :-) There's nothing stopping you from incorporating an achievements-type system in your game if you're looking to provide gamers an incentive to play your game more.

So what can I do?
The same as you always had to do. Write your own! Use System.Net. Note that System.Net does not exist on the Xbox so this code will be Windows only. Since this is NOT part of XNA questions should be asked in the MSDN .Net networking forums.

What about DirectPlay?
DirectPlay is old, deprecated and not supported any more. Don't touch it!

Are there any pre written libraries?

• Lidgren is a Client Server messaging using UDP http://code.google.com/p/lidgren-library-network/ (there appears to be some helper code for XNA in the library too)
• Metro is a open source networking library for C# but not gaming specific http://sourceforge.net/projects/dotmetro/ 
• General managed networking clients (e.g. IRC, POP etc) http://en.csharp-online.net/Open_Source_Network_Clients
• http://www.codeproject.com/cs/internet/sockets.asp - couple of links at the bottom of the article as well
• http://www.codeproject.com/cs/internet/xynetsocket.asp

[if you have other Q&As for this FAQ please reply and we will incorporate them into the main FAQ]