GameArena is pleased to announce COGS v1.2, which includes a new feature known as 'COGSlan'. This new functionality allows gamers to set up and play peer-to-peer games within COGS by emulating a virtual LAN via your broadband connection.

COGS v1.2 will enable gamers to play certain peer-to-peer games such as Command and Conquer: Generals and Rise of Nations with other gamers using the system as if they are on a Local Area Network (LAN). Through COGS, gamers will be able to create a game lobby for supported titles, which other COGS users will then be able to join. Once the lobby has the desired number of players, players can launch the game, and the virtual LAN will be initiated, at which point the game will start and gamers can set up the game as if they were on a LAN.

COGS v1.2 has been in closed beta testing for a while and has now moved to a public testing phase. At this stage only a small number of games are supported but we'll be adding new titles as soon as possible.

One of the major features of COGSlan is that all traffic for peer-to-peer games created through COGS v1.2 will be routed through a central point - a GameArena-hosted server. This provides the added bonus that all traffic between COGSlan-users for games initiated through COGS will be unmetered for Bigpond broadband ADSL and cable users.

The new COGS v1.2 is now available - COGS will be automatically updated the next time it is loaded. As always, we're open to feedback about the new system - please let us know what you think by posting in the comments for this news item!

We have created a new page which lists all the games that are currently supported by GameArena - check it out here for the full range of titles and a brief description.