Do we need a central server for multiplayer games?

Help Networking
, ,
1

Godot Version

4.6.2

Question

Hello. I just started my first multiplayer project – specifically a 2D control-node based investment game. I just want to ask if I need a central server for anti-cheat or any other reason.

2

Someone will have to host the game, Godot’s high level multiplayer makes it easy (if not preferred) for players to host the game on their own. Having your own dedicated server boasts a lot of features that may or may not be critical to your game; if you want persistent data and players to drop in and out at will, a server may be necessary. If you better describe your game, and what multiplayer features you want, then maybe we can better assess if you need a centralized server.

4 Likes
3

Thanks! By the way given your previous reply – I just want to ask if we can achieve multiplayer connecting without having to deal with IPs – instead something like lobby names – without a central server.

4

No. Lobby codes will require a match making server.

However a savvy player may host a game with a domain name that should connect fine, I never have to tell my friends an IP address because I can give them my domain name instead.

5

Domain name?

6

But in all honesty, if you had to ask that question, I recommend making much simpler singleplayer games first until you get more comfortable with game development and IT overall. Networking is difficult even for more advanced users.

1 Like
7

Wait. I’m not that dumb to not know what a domain name is, but what does the reply mean by “host a game with a domain name” or “give them my domain name”?

8

A domain will often point to an IP address, and a server can host different resources, including a game server, hosted on the same domain, and possibly under a different sub domain.

1 Like
9

So you mean in order to just host a game I need to pay money and register a domain name like example.com?

10

You asked this in a previous reply. To which you got the following reply:

And that is true, a domain name can also serve as a replacement for giving out IP addresses to people, since you can also use a domain to point to your server where your game is being hosted. And if you want to go above and beyond, each “lobby” or “server” can be hosted on a separate sub-domain, which players can give to each other.

No, you don’t “need” to buy a domain to host a server, but it can make things look nicer in some cases.

1 Like