Every year more and more games "go online". The idea of playing with the best of the best to hone your skills, whether it be building forts to defend against a mounted troll attack, pitting your team against theirs in a battle arena, or racing to get the most points before time runs out. There's a variety of games online, available though a variety of systems (Computers, PS3, Xbox). One problem that many users run into however, are related to the region they're in, which is identifiable by the IP address of your console or computer. Software to change IP address is available, but you've got to be sure you know how to use it, and which kind to get.
Accessing Region Restricted Games
There are many restrictions in the online gaming world, and although playing with other players from around the world is possible with many games, this is not true for all. For one, when Beta versions are released, there's often restrictions place on these. Getting a Korean, Japanese, or US IP address would help in this case. Even then, as with COD Black Ops, the majority of users are from one place (The US in this case), and with an IP address identifying your region, it may put limits on who you're able to play with. Some smaller counties, countries with bad reps (from spam, copyright infringement, or low bandwidth connection) may also be blocking from certain gaming communities, and being able to change your IP address can lift restrictions.
Proxies VS Virtual Private Networks
Proxies are well known as a way to mask your IP address online. However, there are a number of restrictions that make them inferior to virtual private networks for gaming online. First of all, they only work with web browsers, which means that any games that are not browser based won't be using the masked IP from the proxy. Also, the dynamic IP addresses from proxies means that you're going to run into issues with connectivity as you're playing the game. Virtual private networks provide a more reliable connection, for your entire device, and have static IP options for serious gamers. Most VPNs use a dynamic IP by default, and depending on the game you're playing, this may or may not be an option for you.
Setting up a VPN
If you're going to get software to change IP address, the whole process of getting it set up is going to depend on what platform you're using. Computers are a piece of cake. Simple sign up for a VPN service, clear you browser history and cookies, sign into a VPN server in the region you want your IP from, and you're good to go. Using a PS3 or Xbox will be a bit more complicated, because they don't come with "VPN clients", or in other words are not immediately ready to get hooked up with a VPN. You'll have to download a VPN to your laptop, and route the console through the laptop and then to your TV to register the IP change. Don't worry though, there are thousands of people that have done this, and there are many videos on YouTube about how to accomplish this. If your worried about the technical complications you may run into, most VPN services have great support teams, and online gaming is pretty common though VPNs. In other words, they'll be able to take you through it step by step.
