Xenia Netplay is a community-driven solution that brings online multiplayer functionality to the Xenia Xbox 360 emulator. While the official Xenia project doesn’t support Xbox Live emulation, experimental builds and third-party tools have introduced LAN-based multiplayer capabilities, enabling players to enjoy system-link-supported games with friends over the internet.
This emerging feature is ideal for fans who want to reconnect and play Xbox 360 classics together, long after the official servers for many titles have shut down.
Xenia Netplay is not an official feature of the core Xenia emulator. Instead, it refers to a set of community-created enhancements and techniques that simulate local network multiplayer (System Link) over the internet.
Rather than recreating Xbox Live or online matchmaking, Xenia Netplay uses tools to redirect local multiplayer traffic, allowing you and your friends to play as if you were connected on the same network
Xenia Netplay functions by mimicking LAN conditions through virtual networks and peer-to-peer (P2P) connections. Key methods include:
System Link over VPN: Using apps like Radmin VPN, Hamachi, or ZeroTier to connect players on a shared virtual LAN.
Netplay-Compatible Builds: Some versions of Xenia, such as Xenia Canary, include experimental support for tunneling System Link traffic.
Peer Hosting: One player hosts a local match, and others join via their emulator over the virtual network.
This setup makes it possible to simulate offline multiplayer modes—without requiring Xbox Live or official servers.
Xenia Netplay supports games that include LAN or System Link multiplayer modes. These titles don’t rely on Xbox Live, making them perfect for local network emulation.
Popular examples include:
Halo 3
Gears of War 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Left 4 Dead
Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition (local server mode)
Setting up Netplay requires the right tools and emulator build. Here’s a basic overview:
Download a Netplay-Supported Build
– Use an experimental or community build like Xenia Canary. You can find these on our Downloads Page.
Install a Virtual LAN Tool
– Choose a service like Radmin VPN, ZeroTier, or Hamachi and ensure all players are connected to the same virtual network.
Launch a System Link Game
– Each player opens the same game within Xenia and enters the multiplayer menu.
Create and Join a LAN Lobby
– One player hosts a local match. Others should see it in their lobby list and join as if they were on the same Wi-Fi.
Play and Enjoy
– Once everyone is in, gameplay should feel like local multiplayer—provided all connections are stable.
While promising, Xenia Netplay is still in development. You may encounter:
No Xbox Live Support
– Features like leaderboards, achievements, and online matchmaking are not available.
Limited Build Support
– Only certain builds (like Canary) support Netplay. Official releases do not.
Lag and Sync Issues
– High latency or poor network conditions may cause delays or game desynchronization.
Manual Setup Required
– There’s no built-in Netplay UI; setup requires VPN tools and coordinated configuration.
Xenia Netplay is an early-stage, community-powered feature that allows Xbox 360 games with LAN support to be played online through the Xenia emulator. While not officially supported, it’s a promising step toward restoring multiplayer experiences for beloved titles. With the right build, a virtual LAN setup, and compatible games, you can relive Xbox 360 multiplayer action on modern hardware—even after the original servers are long gone.
