Won2
From Wikiplanetwon2
Won2 is the user-created and operated online gaming network, and is a re-creation of the original World Opponent Network (WON) online gaming service. It is primarily used for playing Half-Life and its mods online.
An article about Won2 in the developer's own words can be accessed here.
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[edit] Creation
In 2004 there was considerable controversy following the closure of the original WON in favor of Valve Software's own delivery network Steam. As a direct result of this, various players and groups created systems which allowed them to continue playing Half-Life without using Steam. One of these groups, SteamlessProject.nl, partnered up with the group NoWon to create Won2. Most of its master (backbone) and content servers are based in Europe, especially the Netherlands, where the SteamlessProject's creator Warf!y resides.
[edit] Differences with Original
Won2 reproduces the services offered by the original WON's Master Servers, allowing clients to find and connect to game servers reliably. Won2 also offers patches which servers may apply, which trick the game server into believing all IP addresses are local addresses, thus bypassing checks with the Authentication Servers which would normally prevent players from connecting. Won2 does not and has no intention of reproducing an auth server, making this change necessary. As a result, player bans must be made by IP address, which limits ban effectiveness in many cases. This also affects some modifications which rely on unique Steam IDs for gameplay purposes, though only a handful of Steam mods are unplayable.
[edit] Distribution
Won2 servers are primarily run in Europe, and most game servers run Counter-Strike 1.5.
[edit] Legality
Won2 operates within murky grey legal territory, and would most likely be halted if it was centered within the United States. In March 2006 a takedown notice was issued, costing the project its hosting, but the project has otherwise been left alone.
Won2 itself maintains that its actions are in line with the game's EULA, and are acceptable within most countries. The Won2 server patch in paticular is believed to be in violation of the United States DMCA for circumventing a form of copy protection (the Auth servers). Due to Won2's less centralized nature and European ties, it is unlikely the network can be brought down due to legal action.
