Improve Game-Specific Online Play and Netplay Lobby Access

📋 Summary

Improve online multiplayer access by adding a game-specific Play Online option that connects users more directly to available netplay lobbies for the selected game.

❗ Problem

LaunchBox supports browsing RetroArch Netplay lobbies, but the flow is separate from the normal game browsing experience.

If a user wants to play a specific retro game online, they may need to:

• Open the general netplay lobby browser

• Search for a matching game manually

• Coordinate with another player outside LaunchBox

• Configure or launch the correct setup separately

This makes online play feel disconnected from the game library.

💡 Proposal

Add a Play Online or Find Online Match option from a game’s context menu or details view.

For supported games and emulators, this could show:

• Active lobbies for the selected game

• Join or spectate options

• Basic lobby details such as host, core, player count, and status

• A shortcut to create or host a compatible netplay session

• Clear messaging when no lobbies are available

Voice chat could be considered separately, but should likely start as an external integration or optional link rather than a built-in LaunchBox voice system.

🧩 Use Cases

• A user selects a game and immediately checks if anyone is playing online

• A Big Box user joins a compatible netplay lobby from the couch

• Users can host a session without navigating through a separate lobby browser first

• RetroArch netplay becomes easier to discover and use from the normal game view

📦 Benefits

• Makes online retro multiplayer easier to access

• Builds on existing netplay functionality instead of replacing it

• Reduces friction for users who want to play a specific game online

• Adds a stronger social layer without requiring a full first-party matchmaking service

⚠️ Considerations

• Initial scope should focus on supported emulator/netplay systems

• Built-in matchmaking and voice chat would be much larger features and may not be appropriate for a first version

• Lobby matching depends on compatible cores, ROMs, emulator settings, and network conditions

• Any social or communication features would need privacy and moderation planning