DirectPlay是微软的DirectX API的一部分。DirectPlay早期是用于网络在线的电脑游戏的发展，至今DirectPlay已被用于其他用途。

DirectPlay创建于UDP之上，DirectPlay 属于OSI模型的第4和第5层。

DirectPlay is a deprecated API that was part of Microsoft's DirectX API. DirectPlay is a network communication library intended for computer game development, although its general nature certainly allows it to be used for other purposes.

DirectPlay is a high-level software interface between applications and communication services that makes it easy to connect games over the Internet, a modem link, or a network. DirectPlay features a set of tools that allow players to find game sessions and sites to manage the flow of information between hosts and players. It provides a way for applications to communicate with each other, regardless of the underlying online service or protocol. DirectPlay also resolves many connectivity issues, such as NAT.