UDP - Paid Services

Photon Realtime

  • Photon is a cloud networking solution designed specifically for game development. It supports UDP communication with tools tailored for games and real-time synchronization.

  • Photon Realtime is designed for multiplayer games focusing on low latency and scalability, primarily using UDP. It also supports TCP in some cases, but UDP is the common protocol due to its efficiency in gaming networks.

  • Advantages :

    • Scalable and optimized for online games, with integrated cloud infrastructure, reducing setup and maintenance overhead.

  • Disadvantages :

    • Costs increase with scale, as it follows a usage-based model. Customization is more limited.

  • Ideal Scenarios :

    • Multiplayer games needing a ready-to-use, highly scalable solution.

  • License :

    • Paid service based on subscriptions and volume of users/connections.

  • Pricing Model :

    • Offers free basic plans with limitations and paid plans as needed.

Photon Quantum

  • Photon Quantum is a network solution based on a deterministic engine, specifically for multiplayer games with advanced physics, such as fighting games and simulators. Instead of sending continuous state packets, Quantum sends user inputs, keeping physics synchronized for all players.

  • Photon Quantum uses UDP for network communication, essential for low latency and high performance in games requiring precise synchronization, particularly in deterministic physics games where response time is critical. Quantum is optimized to ensure input data is transmitted quickly with minimal delay.

  • Advantages :

    • Designed for highly synchronized games, Quantum handles games where state consistency is critical. Supports rollback and reconciliation, ideal for high-precision, delay-sensitive games.

  • Disadvantages :

    • Can be complex to implement for games without deterministic physics or synchronization needs. Paid solution with costs scaling with player count.

  • Pricing Model :

    • Photon Quantum is paid, with subscription and usage-based pricing. Free plans for testing and prototyping exist but with limitations.

  • Ideal Scenarios :

    • Multiplayer games with advanced physics and precision mechanics, like fighting games or simulations where all players must share the same game state.

Photon Server

  • Photon Server is a self-hosted solution for multiplayer game development. Unlike Photon Realtime (cloud service), Photon Server lets developers host their own server, reducing costs and offering greater control.

  • Photon Server supports UDP  and TCP . UDP is ideal for multiplayer games requiring rapid, frequent updates, such as FPS and MOBA games. Photon Server lets developers choose the protocol depending on game needs, with UDP being the low-latency choice.

  • Advantages :

    • Provides flexibility and scalability, allowing developers to control infrastructure and adapt it to game requirements. Ideal for developers preferring on-premise solutions for long-term cost reduction and network control.

  • Disadvantages :

    • Requires server setup and maintenance, which can be complex for developers without server infrastructure experience. Less scalable than a managed cloud solution.

  • Pricing Model :

    • Photon Server offers a free license for up to 100 CCU (concurrent users), ideal for development and prototyping. Beyond that, paid licenses are required, scaled by user count.

  • Ideal Scenarios :

    • Multiplayer games where developers want more control over infrastructure, especially useful for companies avoiding recurring cloud service costs.