Resources for backend-focused Godot project (mobile app)

Godot Version

4.5

Question

Hello everyone. I’m a pure hobby game dev, but a software developer by profession (mostly Go, Rust, Python, Java). I’ve already done some small projects (mostly 2D platformers) with Godot, and now I’d like to explore some different areas. I have this maybe weird project in mind - a city-building simulator as a mobile app/game with asynchronous simulated PvP/PvE battles. No fancy graphics or animations, since I’m terrible at that, but with lots of different views, dashboards, and so on.

I’m more curious and interested in the backend API work and networking. Are there any tutorials or other resources on these topics you would recommend? I’d like to learn what the best practices are in this “genre.”

Thank you very much!

I found GameDev.tv’s Godot 4 Multiplayer: Make Your Own Online Game course to be really helpful in wrapping my head around multiplayer. Zenva also has a course: Construct a Multiplayer Lobby in Godot I got it as a part of the Humble Bundle I mentioned in this thread: For People Trying To Learn Godot I haven’t done the course yet, so I can’t speak to it, but the Humble Bundle has another day left where you can buy it.

1 Like

Hi Seth,

One option I strongly suggest is Nakama. It has full support for common game server features (accounts, matchmaking, leaderboards, storage, etc.), and you can write custom logic with their Go runtime. On the client side, they also provide a Godot client SDK, which makes integration quite straightforward.

Resources are a bit thinner for Godot compared to Unity/Unreal, but this video is a decent starting

Getting Started with Godot and Nakama for Online Mutiplayer Games

I’m still learning too, but Nakama’s ecosystem has been one of the smoother paths I’ve found.

2 Likes

@hakkerbarry that looks promising. There’s also Netfox as a plugin option for Godot.

2 Likes

That framework looks pretty solid. To be honest though, if I were building a 3D online game, I’d probably go with Unreal +AWS. It’s a pretty standard solution in the industry—even if it can feel a bit heavy at times.

Stephen Ulibarri’s tutorial probably the best for this area, I’m going through it as well:
https://www.udemy.com/course/unreal-engine-5-cpp-multiplayer-shooter/

2 Likes

Perhaps. It depends on one’s goal. People sometimes have reasons for using Godot that draw them to the engine. And so often the questions here aren’t about “which engine to use” so much as they are “how do I use Godot to”… I do agree with you though that multiplayer still needs to be improved for Godot to compete in the AAA multiplayer arena.

1 Like