A download and data transfer gaming system utilizes a hybrid peer-to-peer,
segmented file distribution protocol to vastly improve the download
capabilities of a gaming system by improving the upload cost burdened by
the download host. The system redistributes this cost to the download
clients by allowing clients on the gaming system to upload pieces of a
file to each other. This system is much more redundant by eliminating the
possibility of a client missing a download broadcast. The system
alleviates this possibility of missing packets and bad data integrity by
using SHA-1 verification of the file pieces. The benefits of the improved
bandwidth capabilities enable the download of much larger files, thus
enhancing the game play experience.