The ability for gamers to run their own servers on their own networks is sadly the reason we are where we are. I understand the business model of why, but from a common sense perspective it’s better for the game if you let people police their own groups/matches/membership like we used to.

Instead, only “authorized providers” are allowed in most cases, that charge you a lot of money for the privilege of having a dedicated host, if at all. Worse is when the game company themselves provide the servers without the ability to choose.

When we could host our own, at home or at school or in the work IT closet as a “storage controller”, we could control the experience. This is why Minecraft because so popular, mods yes, Twitch Personalities, probably also, but the ability to host your own world with friends and hold them accountable for blowing up your house at school the next day was why it became a phenomenon with kids.