How networked games are structured.
WHAT THE MODELS ARE
Peer to peer, with players connecting directly Client-server, with an authoritative server Listen server, where one player also hosts Dedicated server, hosted separately
WHAT PEER TO PEER PROVIDES
No server cost.
WHAT IT COSTS
Cheating is difficult to prevent Connection quality depends on players Address exposure between players
WHAT CLIENT-SERVER PROVIDES
Authority over game state, which is the foundation of cheat prevention.
WHY AUTHORITY MATTERS ABSOLUTELY
If a client determines outcomes, those outcomes can be falsified.
WHAT THE RULE IS
The server decides, the client requests and displays.
WHAT A LISTEN SERVER RISKS
The hosting player having an advantage and the ability to cheat.
WHAT DEDICATED SERVERS COST
Hosting, continuously, scaling with players.
WHY THAT MATTERS FOR SMALL DEVELOPERS
It is an ongoing cost with no revenue attached after purchase.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE CHOOSING
Whether you can sustain server cost for the game's lifetime.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Whether multiplayer is essential, given that cost and complexity.
