GGPO is middleware

Middleware

Middleware is computer software that connects software components or people and their applications. The software consists of a set of services that allows multiple processes running on one or more machines to interact...

 designed to help create a near-lag

Lag

Lag is a common word meaning to fail to keep up or to fall behind. In real-time applications, the term is used when the application fails to respond in a timely fashion to inputs...

less online experience for various emulated arcade games and fighting games. The program was created by Tony Cannon, co-founder of fighting game community site Shoryuken and the popular Evolution Championship Series

Evolution Championship Series

The Evolution Championship Series is an annual video game tournament that focuses exclusively on fighting games. In fighting game communities it is commonly referred to as "Evo", and is currently the premier video game tournament for fighting games in the United States...

.

History

Before its creation, GGPO creator Tony Cannon was completely dissatisfied with the 2006 Xbox 360

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...

 re-release of Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting

Street Fighter II

is a competitive fighting game originally released for the arcades in . It is the arcade sequel to the original Street Fighter released in and was Capcom's fourteenth title that ran on the CP System arcade hardware...

after experiencing its criticized online capabilities. As a reaction to its service, Cannon began development on GGPO and released the first ever version in late 2006. Cannon later demonstrated GGPO to Capcom, which was positively received.

The downloadable GGPO client currently supports many games from Capcom

Capcom

is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...

 and SNK

SNK Playmore

SNK Playmore Corporation is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. SNK is an acronym of , which was SNK's original name. The company's legal and trading name became SNK in 1986....

 including Super Street Fighter II Turbo, The King of Fighters 2002

The King of Fighters 2002

The King of Fighters 2002 is a competitive fighting game produced by Eolith and Playmore for the Neo Geo. It is the ninth game in The King of Fighters series and the second one produced by Eolith and developed by SNK Neo Geo . The game was ported to the Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, and the Xbox...

, and Metal Slug X

Metal Slug 2

is a run and gun video game for the Neo-Geo console/arcade platform created by SNK. It was released in 1998 for the MVS arcade platform and is the sequel to the popular Metal Slug. It is the second title in the Metal Slug series. The game was later re-released in a slightly modified/remixed form as...

 through use of emulator. Video game companies have also implemented a licensed version of GGPO. Games using it include Skullgirls and Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition

Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike

is a 2D competitive fighting game produced by Capcom originally released for the arcade in . It is the second follow-up to Street Fighter III, following Street Fighter III 2nd Impact. Like its predecessors, it runs on the CP System III hardware. 3rd Strike increased the character roster by adding...

.

Tekken

Tekken

is an arcade fighting game franchise created and developed by Namco. Beginning with the original Tekken arcade game released in 1994, the series has received several sequels, as well as various home conversions and spin-off titles released for consoles...

 producer Katsuhiro Harada recently stated in a interview that GGPO is unlikely going to be used for Soul Calibur V's online system due to networking and data reasons.

Design

Using a netcode technique called "rollback," GGPO puts lag ahead of a player's move which partially hides latency and creates a lagless illusion. The effects examine which players performed the right actions and correct any possible inaccuracies. The program itself can allow players to adjust latency in case of high ping situations; either creating a possibly jerky yet accurate representation or a smoother game with input delay.

GGPO client

The downloadable GGPO client itself has a matchmaking system for every game provided. Players can request challenges while others are able to spectate and chat. Once a challenge initiates, the match runs a ROM from emulator FinalBurn Alpha.

Games using GGPO

• Final Fight: Double Impact (2010)
• Dragon Ball: Zenkai Battle Royale (2011)
• Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition
  Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
  is a 2D competitive fighting game produced by Capcom originally released for the arcade in . It is the second follow-up to Street Fighter III, following Street Fighter III 2nd Impact. Like its predecessors, it runs on the CP System III hardware. 3rd Strike increased the character roster by adding...
  
  (2011)
• Skullgirls (2012)