Where have all the player to player online games gone?

[Ral-Clan]

I want to set up some online board games for my young daughter to play with her grandmother over the internet.  Obviously I'm looking for simple board / card games.

Years ago, you used to be able to find what were called "IP games" or "Peer to Peer" games like this.  I remember I had battleship, connect 4 and chess.  They were public domain games where you both started them on their respective computers, e-mail each other one's IP address and were able to directly connect.  They were like the direct-connection "modem games" of old.  No connection to a central server required.

I can't find anything like this anymore.  All "netplay" games now require you to subscribe or register with a service for these simple games.  I'd prefer not to do this.

Does anyone know where these simple IP games have gone, and if not, can anyone recommend safe and reliable and simple replacements for them?  There are so many gaming sites out there, but my daughter and her grandmother are not advanced computer users so I want something simple and safe for them.  Thanks.

Thanks.

[Ral-Clan]

setting up online gaming for a kid should equal child abuse.

It's so a child can play simple card games / board games with her grandmother via Skype who lives over 1000 kilometers away.

It's a way they can interact, maintain a relationship, and enjoy one another's company despite the great distance.  Otherwise they'd rarely get to see each other.

I'm not talking about World of Warcraft here.

Thanks for your input, though.