--- title: "IPv4 vs IPv6: what changes for game servers | StreetHosting" description: "A plain-language look at IPv4 vs IPv6, why a dedicated IPv4 address still matters for game servers and how it affects connections, compatibility and cost." url: "https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server" type: "page" language: "en-US" --- Infrastructure · 3 min · Intermediate Published on Jun 17, 2026 · Updated on Jun 17, 2026 # IPv4 and IPv6: what changes for gaming An IP is your server's address on the internet. IPv4 is running out and IPv6 is the future, but compatibility still rules. Here is what that means for a game server. By [Equipe StreetHosting](https://streethosting.com.br/en/autores#equipe-streethosting) · StreetHosting infrastructure and support team [Network, DNS and domains](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/networking) [Hardware and datacenter](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/hardware) Summarize with: [](https://chat.openai.com/?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Finfrastructure%2Fipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "ChatGPT") [](https://claude.ai/new?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Finfrastructure%2Fipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. 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"Perplexity") Share: [](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=IPv4%20vs%20IPv6%3A%20what%20changes%20for%20game%20servers&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Finfrastructure%2Fipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server "Share on X") [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Finfrastructure%2Fipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server "Share on Facebook") [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Finfrastructure%2Fipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server "Share on LinkedIn") [](https://wa.me/?text=IPv4%20vs%20IPv6%3A%20what%20changes%20for%20game%20servers%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Finfrastructure%2Fipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server "Share on WhatsApp") For agents: Copy as Markdown [.md](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server.md) In this guide 5 sections * [What an IP is](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#o-que-e-ip) * [IPv4 and IPv6](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#ipv4-vs-ipv6) * [Why it matters in gaming](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#por-que-importa) * [A domain saves you from memorizing](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#dominio-resolve) * [In practice](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#na-pratica) Quick answer An **IP** is the server's address on the internet. **IPv4** is the old, scarce format, but still the most compatible. **IPv6** is the new one, with plenty of addresses, but with partial adoption. For a game server, a dedicated IPv4 address still makes sure almost every client can connect. The type of IP does not change your ping. ## What an IP is[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#o-que-e-ip) An IP is like the home address of your server. It is how players find the machine on the internet. Without an address, nobody gets there. The whole IPv4 vs IPv6 discussion is really about how many addresses exist and who can use them. ## IPv4 and IPv6[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#ipv4-vs-ipv6) | Aspect | IPv4 | IPv6 | | --------------------- | ------------------ | --------------------- | | Age | Old format | New format | | Number of addresses | Limited and scarce | Practically unlimited | | Current compatibility | Almost universal | Growing, but partial | | Use in gaming | Dominant standard | Complementary | ## Why it matters in gaming[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#por-que-importa) The scarcity of IPv4 makes a dedicated address a valuable resource. For the server owner, having an IPv4 address means practically any player can connect, regardless of their network. IPv6 is the path forward, but today compatibility still weighs in favor of IPv4. The type of IP decides who can connect, not how fast. To reduce delay, focus on a nearby datacenter, as explained in [what latency and ping are](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/what-is-latency-and-ping). ## A domain saves you from memorizing[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#dominio-resolve) Nobody has to memorize the IP. A domain points to the address and players connect with an easy name. It also lets you swap the IP behind it without changing what everyone uses. See how in [pointing a domain to your VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/point-domain-to-vps) and in [a domain for your Minecraft server](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-custom-domain). ## In practice[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#na-pratica) * Dedicated IPv4 for broad compatibility * Domain pointing to the IP * Nearby datacenter for ping * IPv6 as a complement when available For servers with a dedicated IP and a low-latency network, take a look at the [Ryzen VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/ryzen) and the [dedicated servers](https://streethosting.com.br/en/dedicated). In this guide * [What an IP is](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#o-que-e-ip) * [IPv4 and IPv6](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#ipv4-vs-ipv6) * [Why it matters in gaming](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#por-que-importa) * [A domain saves you from memorizing](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#dominio-resolve) * [In practice](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/ipv4-vs-ipv6-game-server#na-pratica) ## Frequently asked questions What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6? They are two versions of the internet address. IPv4 is the old format and is running out because it has a limited number of addresses. IPv6 is the new one, with practically unlimited addresses, but adoption is still partial. Why does a dedicated IPv4 address still matter? Because many players and providers still depend on IPv4. A game server with a dedicated IPv4 address makes sure practically any client can connect. IPv6 is the future, but current compatibility still leans toward IPv4. Does the type of IP change my ping? Not in any meaningful way. Ping depends on distance and routing, not on the IP version. What the IP decides is addressing and compatibility, meaning who can connect, not how fast the packets travel. Do I need to memorize the server IP? No. Use a domain that points to the IP. That way players connect with an easy name, and you can even swap the IP behind it without changing the address everyone uses. Next step See Ryzen VPS Ryzen 9 9950X VPS in São Paulo with root access, NVMe and gamer Anti-DDoS. [See Ryzen VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/ryzen) [See dedicated servers Exclusive hardware in São Paulo with NVMe and Anti-DDoS.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/dedicated) [See Minecraft Pro Managed hosting on Ryzen with modpacks, optimized Paper and technical support.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-pro) ## Related guides [VPS Beginner How to point a domain to a VPS: A, AAAA and CNAME records Your site is on the VPS, but people can only reach it by IP. DNS fixes that: an A record ties the domain to the server. Learn when to use AAAA and CNAME, how TTL controls propagation, how to test with dig and what the Cloudflare proxy does not do. 9 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/point-domain-to-vps) [Minecraft Intermediate Custom domain for a Minecraft server: DNS and SRV A numeric IP works, but your own domain builds trust and makes a future migration easier. The trick is the SRV record on the right port. 2 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-custom-domain) [Infrastructure Beginner What is latency and ping on a server Latency and ping shape how fast your service feels to users and players. Understanding them helps you choose better infrastructure. 2 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/infrastructure/what-is-latency-and-ping) [← Back to the Guide Center](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides)