Arcade game machines, especially those supporting multiplayer modes, rely heavily on efficient networking load balancing to ensure seamless gameplay and minimal latency. Here are the most common strategies used:

1. Round Robin Load Balancing: Distributes incoming player requests evenly across multiple servers in a sequential manner, preventing any single server from being overwhelmed.

2. Least Connections Method: Directs new player connections to the server with the fewest active connections, optimizing resource usage.

3. Geographic Load Balancing: Routes players to the nearest server based on their geographic location, reducing latency and improving response times.

4. Weighted Distribution: Assigns traffic to servers based on their capacity (e.g., CPU, RAM), ensuring high-performance servers handle more load.

5. Session Persistence (Sticky Sessions): Maintains player connections on the same server during a session to avoid disruptions in gameplay.

These strategies help arcade game operators deliver a smooth, lag-free experience, even during peak traffic periods. Implementing the right load balancing approach depends on factors like server infrastructure, player distribution, and game design requirements.