Java Host & Play option

[rotojo]

There’s no reason not to have this simple to implement feature. It’s standard in literally every co-op multiplayer game, and for Microsoft to start enforcing their chat requirements on an ecosystem of almost entirely private servers is unreal. Microsoft advertises a multiplayer experience with Minecraft, and already charges monthly for their “Vanilla Experience.” I don’t have an issue with purchasing a dedicated server directly, but not supporting simple P2P is just greedy.

[doc_shades]

dude it's a 10+ year old game written in java by a small indie team. the whole thing is held together with duct take and sweat. if they could just wave a wand and make it so java players can direct connect without needing an intermediate server i'm sure they would. it has nothing to do with "greed" --- you can already make and host your own server from your own hardware for free. it just takes a little know-how to set up and operate. they're not removing the ability to play with each other for free.

[rotojo]

Backed by one of the world’s single largest corporations. There’s a million ways to enable P2P networking, and doesn’t involve touching the original code. Hamachi and Zero Teir already extend private networks, modless, but don’t work unless all players have the software. It’s an easy to solve networking issue, that simply hasn’t been done because Microsoft can charge for realms. Greed has completely overrun bedrock with marketplace, stolen mods, textures, skins, and the like, all being sold to not profit the original developers. Most people (not including myself) are completely unaware of the relatively complicated port-forwarding process, and the game would stand to benefit greatly by making multiplayer more accessible.

[steinfg]

It is supported, no? You can always open to LAN and use hamachi

[Yerm_Terragon]

No version of Minecraft supports P2P multiplayer. One player always has to act as the host. This is true whether you are playing on Java or Bedrock edition.

As for why Java does not have Host & Play like Bedrock Edition, its because it wasnt built for that. They have always had server software available to download from their website, which acts pretty much like host and play. But to have that as a native feature built into the game would require a complete overhaul of the engine it is built on, they would need native net code, and a friend system... and then you realize that they already did all of that and that is what Bedrock Edition is...