List of games on the local network from 2k. How to play on a local network - a detailed guide for experienced players. Gears of War series

There are an incredible number of single-player games out there. But it's much better to take a faithful friend and make an incredible adventure online. We have prepared for you the Top 20 online games for two. Grab a friend and start your walkthrough.

PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS

Once again we include PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS in our Top. The big advantage of the game is the ability to fight in a team with friends. In this mode, you also land on the island, loot, and fight against the same hundreds of opponents. However, now you have a faithful partner with you who will save your life more than once. And taking top one with your best friend is doubly pleasant.

PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS system requirements:

  • System: 64-bit Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10;
  • Processor: Intel Core i3-4340 / AMD FX-6300;
  • RAM: 6 Gb;
  • Video card: nVidia GeForce GTX 660 2GB / AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB;
  • Disk space: 30 Gb.

A game in the run’n’gun genre, in which players will have to control an unusual hero who is not busy saving the world at all, but simply beating the dust out of his enemies. Cuphead is literally a “classic” platformer. Classic because everything about it is 1930s, from the graphics, which seem straight out of Walt Disney's hand, to the watercolor backgrounds and jazzy soundtrack. Limitless madness that you can play with a friend will be provided to you at every level.

  • Operating system: Windows 7 64-bit;
  • Processor: Intel i3 2100 or AMD Athlon II X4 640;
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • Video card: nVidia GT240 1GB or AMD 5570 1GB;
  • Disk space: 15 GB.

Dying Light

Survival Horror with a first-person view that delights players with an open world. The events of the game take place in the city of Harran, where an unknown virus is rampant. It has affected the entire population, local residents are in panic, quarantine has been declared, and those who have been spared the infection are trying to survive with all their might. During the day, life flows as usual, but with the onset of dusk, chaos spills out onto the streets. Players have access to four characters with unique abilities, a completely open world and a lot of interesting tasks. The developers are focusing on the combat system and variety of weapons.

Dying Light System Requirements:

  • Operating system: Windows 7 64-bit / Windows 8 64-bit / Windows 8.1 64-bit;
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-2500 3.3 GHz / AMD FX-8320 3.5 GHz;
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce®GTX 560 / AMD Radeon HD 6870 with 1 GB of video memory;
  • Disk space: 40 GB.

Star Trek

Star Trek is a first-person shooter computer game, we will become favorite heroes popular universe. You can choose one of the main characters and begin an incredible journey. It is noteworthy that Kirk and Spock have completely different abilities, so playing as different characters will distinguish himself and give you new emotions.

Star Trek System Requirements:

  • System: Windows 7;
  • Processor: Core 2 Duo 2 GHz/Athlon 64 X2 4200+;
  • RAM: 2 Gb;
  • Video card: GeForce 9600/Radeon HD 2900;
  • Disk space: 8 Gb.

The only goal in Rust is to survive. To do this, you will need to overcome difficulties such as hunger, thirst and cold. Light a fire. Build a shelter. Kill animals to get meat. Defend yourself from other players and kill them to get meat. Build housing and protect it. All this is best done with true friends.

Rust System Requirements:

  • System: Windows XP with SP2 or later;
  • Processor: Pentium 4 1.8GHz or Athlon XP 1700+;
  • RAM: 2 Gb;
  • Video card: GeForce 210 or Radeon X600 Series;
  • Disk space: 5 Gb.

The Forest

This is a dark sandbox about survival in a night forest full of monsters. Unlike many survival games, The Forest has a plot where, after crashing onto an island, the main task will not only be survival, but also the search for your missing son. The plot of the game is available for cooperative play, which is good news.

Minimum system requirements for The Forest

  • OS: Windows 7;
  • Processor: Core Duo 2 GHz;
  • RAM: 4 Gb;
  • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT;
  • Disk space: 7 Gb.

Don't Strave

A game with an original presentation of the surrounding world and no less original graphics. You are thrown into a huge world and all you need to do is survive by staying well-fed, maintaining a fire or making a fur coat so as not to freeze. Thanks to the Together add-on, you can do this together with a friend.

Don't Strave system requirements:

  • Processor: Intel Pentium IV (1.7 GHz) / AMD Athlon XP 1800+;
  • RAM: 1 Gb;
  • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 / AMD Radeon X1300 / 256 Mb / DirectX 9;
  • Disk space: 500 Mb;

Borderlands The Pre Sequel

Another part of the crazy shooter from 2K in which you act as seekers of an alien treasure storage facility on the outskirts of the galaxy. This time the mechanics of the game have changed a little, taking into account the fact that the actions take place on the moon of the planet Pandora. A sea of ​​guns, shooting and fun - this is the very option that will blow your mind and give you many hours of interesting gameplay.

Borderlands The Pre Sequel system requirements:

  • System: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8;
  • Processor: 2.4 GHz Dual Core Processor;
  • RAM: 2 Gb;
  • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 / ATI Radeon HD 2600;
  • Disk space: 13 Gb;

Resident Evil 6

Continues the top best games for two. This part turned out to be a little different from the previous ones - there will be no crowds of zombies, but even a few will be enough to knock you down. The game has 4 different companies in which you can play together with a partner. Original plot and beautiful graphics.

Resident Evil 6 system requirements:

  • System: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8;
  • Processor: Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz/Phenom II X4 940;
  • RAM: 4 Gb;
  • Video card: GeForce GTX 560/Radeon HD 6850;
  • Disk space: 16 Gb;

The Cave

The story is told from the perspective of the Cave itself, which is explored by our fearless heroes - there is quite a wide variety of characters here who have their own abilities. Quite a beautiful and complex puzzle with a side view, and at the same time it has a very pleasant style of storytelling that does not get boring at all.

The Cave system requirements:

  • System: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8;
  • Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz;
  • RAM: 1 Gb;
  • Video card: nVidia GeForce 8800;
  • Disk space: 1.5 Gb;

Dark Souls 3

Dark Souls 3 is the third part of the popular franchise, with hundreds of new pieces of equipment and items, new locations, and new fighting styles. The events of the game take place in the kingdom of Lothric, and the main character is one of the “unkindled” who travel through these lands in search of salvation. Having fulfilled certain conditions, you can start a cooperative playthrough.

Dark Souls 3 System Requirements:

  • System: Windows 7 / 8;
  • AMD® A8 3870 3.6 GHz or Intel® Core™ i3 2100 3.1 GHz processor;
  • RAM: 8 Gb;
  • Video card: NVIDIA® GeForce GTX 465 / ATI Radeon TM HD 6870;
  • Disk space: 40 Gb;

Human: Fall Flat

An unusual game where you will explore the environment and solve physics puzzles to escape from surreal dreams. You only have your wits, physics, and friends at your disposal. The cooperative game designed for 8 players will not let you get bored.

Human: Fall Flat system requirements:

  • System: Windows 7 / 8;
  • Processor Intel Core2 Duo E6750 (2*2660) | AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 6000+ (2 * 3000);
  • RAM: 1 Gb;
  • Video card: GeForce GT 740 (2048 MB) or equivalent | Radeon HD 5770 (1024 MB);
  • Disk space: 1 Gb;

Next on the list of top games for two. The second part continues the style of the first - an incredibly beautiful fairy-tale world, well-thought-out characters with individuality and puzzles that don’t let you get bored for a minute. Everything around is so interactive and beautiful that it’s hard to imagine how much effort was put into the project.

Trine 2 System Requirements:

  • System: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8;
  • Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.0 Ghz) / AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+;
  • RAM: 1 Gb;
  • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 / AMD Radeon X1600 / 256 Mb / DirectX 9;
  • Disk space: 1.5 Gb;

Dead Space 3

The third part of the sci-fi shooter with a third-person view. The game was released on February 5, 2013. After the events that happened in the second part, Isaac Clarke settled on one of the space stations. The lack of government support and the unlimited power of the Unitologist Church forces him into hiding. Another heroine of the previous part, Ellie Langford, manages to discover an icy planet on which a base supposedly remains uninfected. There she suddenly disappears, having managed to send a distress signal. The Earth government is looking for Isaac Clarke, forcing him to go in search of Ellie. The game has co-op available, so the battle with enemies will be even better.

Dead Space 3 System Requirements:

  • System: Windows XP
  • Processor: Intel Pentium IV with a clock frequency of 2.8 GHz;
  • RAM: 1 Gb;
  • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 or better / ATI Radeon X1650 Pro;
  • Disk space: 10 Gb;

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition

Re-release of the ported first part of the cult Gears of War, which eventually became exclusive for XBox. If you have already played the original game, then here you will find cool, updated graphics and remade cut scenes, as well as many more fixes. For those who haven’t played before, there is an opportunity to play a whirlwind shooter with an interesting plot, which also makes it possible to play together.

System requirements for Gears of War: Ultimate Edition:

  • System: Windows 10 64-bit;
  • Processor: 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 or six-core AMD FX;
  • RAM: 8 Gb;
  • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti or Radeon R7 260X with 2 GB of built-in video memory;
  • Disk space: 60 Gb;

Portal 2

The second part of an ingenious puzzle from Valve in which you again have to take a cannon to create teleports and go through all the levels of a dilapidated laboratory to get out. Good graphics, interesting plot presentation and mode for two. Even though the game is extremely similar to the first one, it still presents us with many interesting surprises.

Portal 2 system requirements:

  • System: Windows XP/Vista/7;
  • Processor: Core 2 Duo/Athlon X2 2.5 GHz;
  • RAM: 2 Gb;
  • Video card: GeForce GTX 280/Radeon HD 2600;
  • Disk space: 10 Gb;

Kane and Lynch

Play as two absolutely crazy friends who live by robbing banks and killing police officers. Just a sea of ​​madness and shooting, as well as an interesting plot. It’s difficult to describe this project in two words - to get into it, to understand how interesting and chic it is, you need to sit down at the computer and start a new game. Rest assured that here you will find many interesting gameplay features, as well as a lot of adrenaline.

Kane and Lynch System Requirements:

  • Processor: 1 core 3.0 GHz;
  • RAM: 2 Gb;
  • Video card: 256 Mb;
  • Disk space: 7 Gb;

Payday 2

A game that continues the theme of bank robbery - you have to choose a character, arm yourself, put on an original mask and go to the next vault to open it and get a jackpot, and at the same time shoot at the police. Payday is madness at its peak. Can you pull off a successful robbery when bullets are constantly whistling overhead?

Payday 2 system requirements:

  • System: Windows Vista/7/8/10;
  • Processor: 2 GHz Intel Dual Core Processor;
  • RAM: 2 Gb;
  • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 8800/ATI Radeon HD 2600 (256MB minimum);
  • Disk space: 10 Gb;

Left 4 Dead 2

Another rather memorable game from Valve about zombies - you, in the person of four survivors, have to take up arms and, moving from one safe place to another, shoot legions of the walking dead. It is worth noting that in addition to ordinary zombies, there are even more terrible enemies here. Survive one crazy massacre to then move on to another, and so on from level to level.

Left 4 Dead 2 System Requirements:

  • System: Windows XP;
  • Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz;
  • RAM: 1 Gb;
  • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 / ATI Radeon X800 with 128 Mb of memory;
  • Disk space: 8 Gb;

Warhammer: Vermintide 2

The game is reminiscent of Left 4 Dead. But all its events take place in the Warhammer universe. This game is a sequel to the critically acclaimed Vermintide. It's time to return to brutal first-person combat featuring visceral and ground-based melee combat set in the End Times apocalypse of the war-torn world of Warhammer Fantasy Battles.

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 system requirements:

  • System: Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10;
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-2300 2.8 GHz / AMD FX-4350 4.2 GHz;
  • RAM: 6 Gb;
  • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 / AMD Radeon HD 6700 Series;
  • Disk space: 50 Gb;

This selection includes the TOP 10 online games with friends on PC. Of course, most of them have both single player play and modes for competitive play with other opponents, but believe me, it’s much more fun with familiar opponents.

1. Warframe – driving fights in deep space

“ ” – stealth, parkour, huge medieval axes and exoskeletons. All this manages to be combined in an amazing way in the world of the distant cosmic future.

Warframe video games

  • Game website: https://www.warframe.com/

2. Tom Clancy's The Division - cool technologies in the apocalypse

"" - a gloomy first-person shooter in a New York dying from an epidemic, became Ubisoft's best-selling game in history. And no wonder.

Video games Tom Clancy's The Division

There are many more nice little things, like a gaze control system, hunger and a completely open world. The second part will be released in 2019 and promises to be even cooler!

  • Game website: http://tomclancy-thedivision.ubi.com/game/ru-RU/home/

3. Total War Arena – epic battles in antiquity

“” is an excellent strategy for 2018 without the tedious development of cities. Only large-scale clashes between armies under the control of legendary commanders.

Video games Total War Arena

Use the features of the terrain, the personal qualities of the commander and the strengths of the units, but remember - in the end it’s all about teamwork.

The game is closed

4. Warface – harsh shootouts in modern times

"" - the near future, world war and special forces soldiers using the best weapons from around the world. This is a classic shooter with an emphasis on speed and cooperative action.

Warface video games

Nothing extra, just a high-quality shooter that we deserve.

  • Game website: https://wf.mail.ru/

5. Rust – realistic survival on a wild island

"" is a simulator of naked men dying from hunger, cold, thirst, aggressive bears and a patrol helicopter.

Video games Rust

The game has a lot of crafting, interesting construction, and regular updates. This is a rare example of how they promised to bring a project to fruition and did so!

  • Game website: https://rust.facepunch.com/

6. Counter Strike: Global Offensive - that same legendary shooter

“Counter Strike: Global Offensive” is a revival of the very game for which people skipped classes and spent their last savings in gaming clubs. Need I say anything more?

Video games Counter Strike: Global Offensive

And the game now has a version for consoles. Be careful, it can still drag on for a long time.

  • Steam page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/81958

7. Stronghold Kingdoms – cozy medieval strategy

“ ” – simple graphics, minimum system requirements, free-to-play and familiar gameplay of the famous series.

Video games Stronghold Kingdoms

It can be argued that the graphics have long been outdated, but the hardcore gameplay still leaves a positive impression of the game. And no, donation doesn’t solve anything here.

  • Game website: https://www.strongholdkingdoms.com/

8. Find & Destroy Tank Strategy – an interesting mixture of genres with tanks

“Find & Destroy Tank Strategy” is new for 2018, a mixture of turn-based strategy with fast, dynamic real-time battles on tanks.

Video games Find & Destroy Tank Strategy

It takes longer to describe the controls than to understand them. This is a simple, fun casual game that can be played on mobile devices. There is an internal chat.

  • Steam page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/838510/

9. Raft – an unusual survival game on a raft

“Raft” is a cooperative survival game on a raft floating without any particular purpose across the endless ocean.

Raft video games

The game is fully available for solo play or co-survival with a friend. No PvP, just working together for a common cause!

  • Game website: http://www.raft-game.com/

10. Tactical Monsters Rumble Arena – a vigorous strategy with monsters

"" is a fast turn-based strategy with maps divided into hexagons. Yes, like in the good old “Heroes”.

Video games Tactical Monsters Rumble Arena

Chats, clans, challenge fields and boss battles. That case when you download a free toy to kill 10 minutes, and it suddenly becomes one of your favorites.

  • Game website: http://www.tacticalmonsters.com/

This selection contains the most interesting projects for playing with friends online on a PC. But that’s not all; you will find more interesting games in other articles on the site.

One of the leaders among free online shooters suitable for weak PCs. Exciting team battles, an abundance of weapons, modes and maps - what else does a network FPS fan who does not have a mega-powerful modern computer at his disposal need for complete fun!

2. Star Conflict (2014)

3. Neverwinter (2013)

4. Gwent (2016)

5. Team Fortress 2 (2007)

The good old Team Fortress 2 should definitely be on the hard drive of every owner of a weak PC, because it is a legendary project that is still developing and has served as a source of inspiration for many modern arena shooters. In fact, we can recommend it to all fans of original and exciting online shooters, and not just to those whose computer does not allow them to run the latest gaming innovations in the FPS world.

System requirements

6. World of Warcraft classic

Probably the most famous game from our TOP, which will run on the weakest modern computers without any problems. Despite its advanced age, World of Warcraft is still a leader among MMORPGs. The classic version of WoW is already available to everyone, so now you can appreciate how hard it was for the players who stood at the origins of the legend of the genre.

System requirements

7. Paladins (2018)

A popular modern MOBA shooter with CCG elements, which differs from other similar games also in its amazing, bright graphics, which do not place particularly high demands on PC resources thanks to the excellent . Today, Paladins is played by more than two tens of millions of users, updates are regularly released and various regional and world championships are held. Moreover, it is available absolutely free! Definitely recommended to all owners of weak, medium and super-powerful PCs!

System requirements

operating systemWindows XP SP2, Windows Vista or Windows 7
CPUCore 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or Athlon X2 2.7 GHz
RAM2 GB RAM
Video cardATI or Nvidia graphics card with 512MB video ram or better
Disk space10 GB
Sound cardDirectX compatible sound card

8. Drakensang online (2011)

Drakensang Online is a popular free-to-play multiplayer game with a fairly standard fantasy setting and gameplay that is very close to that of games and similar ones. Initially, the project was exclusively browser-based, but later a special client version of the game appeared, which allows players today to choose the most convenient option for themselves.

System requirements

operating systemWindows XP/ Vista/ 7/ 8
CPUIntel Pentium 3 800 Mhz
RAM128 MB
Video cardNvidia GeForce 4 MX
DirectXVersion 9.0c
Disk space100 MB

9. Path of Exile (2013)

10. CrossFire (2007)

System requirements

operating systemWindows 7/Windows 8
CPUIntel Pentium 4
Video cardAMD Radeon X850 / GeForce FX 5600
Memory1GB
Disk space8Gb
DirectX9

11. Black Fire (2014)

Free multi-user, suitable for weak PCs. At the same time, the game manages to squeeze out quite a decent picture, high-quality animation and numerous effects. And all this thanks to the use of the .5 engine. The plot component of Black Fire also looks attractive, in which there was a place for robots, mutants and many other interesting characters and attributes of science fiction.

System requirements

12. Faeria (2017)

An exciting game from Abrakam SA, the gameplay of which is a combination of CCG and strategy elements. Faeria features both a single-player campaign and several online modes, and is completely free to start playing. Players have access to almost three hundred unique cards and a large number of playing fields, the structure of which is directly related to the gameplay.

System requirements

13. Trove (2015)

Trove is an original game that will definitely appeal to fans of Minecraft and other voxel sandbox games, as well as fans of the MMORPG genre, since it successfully combines both the first and the second. Here, players will find a large world sparkling with neon colors, available for free study and modification, several game classes, a variety of systems and trades, raid campaigns, constant events and updates, and much more. Trove is free to play.

System requirements

14. Villagers and Heroes (2014)

A free, hardware-undemanding MMO, visually and even in individual gameplay elements reminiscent of the legendary WOW. Villagers and Heroes is a huge world filled with a fairy-tale atmosphere, with all the components required for a classic fantasy: many races and classes, hundreds of exciting quests, an interesting system of crafts and professions, constant in-game events and promotions, and much more.

System requirements

15. Rules of Survival (2018)

An analogue of the mega-popular PUBG for weak PCs, which recently became available in . In addition to the PC version, there is also a Rules of version for mobile platforms, with gaming sessions on them, which provides the game with a large user base. But it is worth noting that at this stage of its existence, Rules of Survival has several serious shortcomings: an abundance of bugs, unstable server operation and many cheaters.

System requirements

operating systemWindows 7
CPUIntel Core I3-4160
RAM2 GB RAM
Video cardIntel HD Graphics 4600
Disk space2 GB
DirectXVersions 9.0c

There are a lot of such games on Google Play, and it doesn’t matter whether they require you to access a shared Wi-Fi network or use Bluetooth, or just allow you to play on the screen of one device - the main thing is that you do it in a fun company and have a blast.

Badland

This is one of the most stylish side-scrollers on mobile platforms, winning many awards thanks to its original silhouette graphics, spectacular and varied levels full of dangers and a great soundtrack. All this combined creates an eerie, mysterious atmosphere - the very one for which this game is so famous. But it was on our list not only because of this - the authors implemented an original local multiplayer in it for four players. Your task in this game mode is to survive, no matter what, ahead of your opponents and without feeling much pity for them when it comes to your own life. This mode is implemented as cooperative multiplayer on one device.

Minecraft PE

If you get tired of crafting alone or surviving in this mega-popular sandbox game, then you can explore its incredible worlds together with friends in local multiplayer mode. To create a local server, you all need to be within the coverage area of ​​the same Wi-Fi network, and then one of the worlds will become your joint adventure, where amazing landscapes, strange creatures and complete freedom of action await you.

Terraria

Another open-world sandbox on our list - with a variety of biomes, a huge assortment of enemies and their bosses, with the opportunity not only to craft, build and survive, but also to fight, have pets and of course, communicate with friends. Local multiplayer in this game requires you to share a Wi-Fi network - and that's it. Gather up to four friends and survive together in cross-platform mode.

Sky Gamblers: Storm Raiders

Here you will find air battles that are spectacular and realistic, as well as magnificent landscapes and weather special effects. Plunge into the atmosphere of World War II, take part in battles over Pearl Harbor and Pas de Calais, bomb enemy positions, control real-life aircraft and fight side by side with friends. For this purpose, the game provides local multiplayer - both cooperative and competitive, which can be implemented in the same Wi-Fi zone. It provides 6 modes: Free play, Team play, Survival, Stay alive, Assault and Capture the flag.

Angry Birds Go!

Are you ready for a dizzying race, when well-known characters from the Angry Birds franchise will be behind the wheel - both angry birds and their eternal rivals, green pigs? This game offers a variety of fast tracks, surprises and daily events, tricks and tricks, car upgrades and character development. And, most importantly, why this game ended up in our selection - local multiplayer over Wi-Fi, during which you can race on the tracks of this game with your friends to find out which of you is the coolest racer.

Farming Simulator 16

Do you want to try yourself as a farmer? Then get behind the wheel of a tractor or combine, grow crops, raise animals, trade and develop your business. You will find realistic graphics, a wide selection of equipment from well-known manufacturers, a dynamically changing economy and the opportunity to compete for the title of the best farmer with your friends - for this, the game provides local multiplayer, implemented both via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Battleship 2

Who is not familiar with this game? Almost each of us drew notebook sheets into squares, placing ships and mines on the playing field. Now you will see the same checkered piece of paper with ships on it on the screens of your mobile devices. In addition to sea battles with rivals around the world, here you can challenge your friends to battle - either by playing with a friend on the same device, or by challenging him via Bluetooth.

Riptide GP®2

Futuristic jet boat racing - why not compete with friends? You will find breathtaking stunts and incredible speeds, upgrades and tuning of your boats, realistic physics of water behavior and many exciting races. In addition to the single-player campaign and online competitions, you can organize local races, gathering up to 4 friends in split-screen mode.

Friut Ninja

And again the competition, but this time in cutting fruit: who will do it faster - you or your friend? Test your dexterity and accuracy in local multiplayer on one device. This way you can always find out who is better at swiping, who is faster at cutting watermelons and dealing with pineapples.

Add here constantly updated content - and you will understand why this development is still popular.

Virtual Table Tennis™

This physics-based 3D game offers table tennis matches that are truly close to the real thing. The movements of the ball and rackets are thought out and drawn perfectly, so you won’t find a better simulator. And you can play with friends both online and locally - sitting next to each other and intensely fighting via Bluetooth.

If you want to play on two PCs without using the Internet, instantly transfer files from different devices without USB drives, then you need to know how to create a local network between two computers. This technology of connecting two PCs has been used for quite a long time, and even today it has not lost its relevance.

Local network example

A local network is a group of interconnected devices: PCs, televisions, printers, usually located no further than one room. The devices use shared memory and servers, thus complementing each other. This connection allows you to create a gaming area for several PCs, easily and fairly quickly transfer any data, print documents if one common printer is installed, and do much more. Connecting devices today most often occurs using a router, but other connections can also be used, which you can read about below.

Creating a connection

Creating a connection is quite easy, and also in different ways: through a router or cable. Setting up devices for both methods is quite similar. The difference lies mainly in the connection method: via cable or via Wi-Fi.

Communication via Wi-Fi, which is used much more often today, can be much more convenient, but connecting two PCs with a cable will cost less if you have not yet installed a router for some reason.

Connection via cable

The oldest type of communication between two machines. All you need to do is connect an RJ45 network cable. The cable must be a crossover cable, although regular straight cables can often work for modern computers. Still, when purchasing, it is better to check the type of cable with the seller. When you add the ends of the crossover cable, the colors of the ends of the wires will differ - this is its main difference. Also, the connection requires network cards on both devices, but today they are already installed. You just have to note that if the network card is already occupied by connecting to the Internet, then you won’t be able to use it.

This connection was just used before to play. But it may be convenient for some today, especially if you still have Windows XP, which has difficulty supporting wireless connections.

After connecting the cable itself, you need to know how to set up a local network between two computers:

  • Control Panel, select the item related to network connections.
  • We select what we created there, right-click on it, select “Properties”
  • Next, depending on “Windows”: for Windows XP select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), for Windows 7/8/10 - Internet Protocol version 4.

  • Manually enter the IP address: 192.168.xxx.xxx. You can enter the last six digits yourself, the main thing is that they are not repeated on different devices.

  • On Windows 7, you will also need to go to the Network Control Center, there, through the “Settings” item, select “Private” for our network.
  • Then in Control Center, enable file sharing, network discovery, and turn off password access protection.

After this, you also need to set up sharing. This is done so that PCs can exchange any files. The methods vary on different OSes. On WindowsXP:

  1. Section Network connections, go to “Tools”, select “Folder Options”.
  2. “View” tab, check the box next to “Use simple file sharing”.
  3. Next, go to the “System Properties” window: RMB on “My Computer” - select Computer Name.
  4. Click “Change”, select “Is a member” of the working group. We come up with a common group name for both PCs.
  5. My computer, right-click on the hard drives (for example, Windows (C:)), in the “Access” tab, click on the link, set the sharing permission.

That's it, access to the files on the selected disks is completely open. With Windows 7/8/10 we proceed as follows:

  • Control Panel, then Folder Options.
  • Check the “Use Sharing Wizard” checkbox.
  • The following steps will be the same as for XP.

Connection via router

This is the most convenient method, since it allows you to connect not only two, but a larger number of computers or other devices that support Wi-Fi. You can play over this connection without lengthy settings.

IP addresses for such a connection will be set automatically. To use shared files, you will only need to share the files, and then add two computers to one workgroup, as described above.

Now, to transfer files, you just need to enter the computer name using the address bar: \\name\. You can also do this through the Network Connections section. It is also worth securing your personal or especially important files so that no one can access them from a nearby computer. To do this, it is best to specify drives that do not contain information important to you. For example, it is better not to make the disk that contains user account data open to everyone, or, using the file and folder settings menu, restrict access to them: RMB on the desired folder, then select the sharing settings there.

Playing on a local network

So, we managed to connect two devices to the same network without the Internet, allowing them to exchange files. How to start playing on a local network?

To do this, as a rule, you do not need to make any additional settings. We just turn on the game and, if you can play over a local connection, select the appropriate item, and then play over the one we have already created.

Connection to a shared server may vary for different games. You will need to enter the IP or PC name somewhere. For Minecraft, Counter Strike, for example, you will need to create a server. But as a rule, everything is done quite simply.

Hamachi

This happens quite rarely, but sometimes a game does not allow you to play over the Internet, but allows you to play it over a local network. Don’t despair, even if it turns out that your friend lives far from you.

The Hamachi program allows you to emulate a local connection and thus connect a PC to it via the Internet. To do this, you just need to download the program, register, and then create a new connection, give it a name and, if necessary, a password. After this, you can easily use this network to play.

As you can see, connecting computers into a local network is a fairly easy process. It won’t take you much time, and you can connect two PCs, and then play with your friends, both being away from them and being in the same room with them.

The methods for creating a connection are suitable for all Windows, from XP to Ten.

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