GoKawiilExplainer: how NAT type affects online gaming connections
NAT type describes how easily a gaming device can communicate over the internet, with Open, Moderate and Strict tiers on Xbox and PC (and equivalents on PlayStation and Switch). Open allows unrestricted connections but isn't practical or secure for most setups since it bypasses router protections, while Moderate works behind a router and Strict blocks necessary ports, causing matchmaking issues.