sockets/multiplayer games

**pyroki** · July 27th, 2005, 02:01 AM

well since i saw a lot of topics added to the forum on multiplayer games i just had a question do u need to hav a web provider to hav a multiplayer game?

**dinner dog** · July 27th, 2005, 08:38 AM

Mostly. Inorder to use the sockets you really need a [b]dedicated[b] server. i.e. not free and not shared as you need access to the ports on the server and hosts generally don't give those out.
There are ways around using sockets for multiplayer games but I don't think they are as effecient.
However I say that with no multiplayer development under my belt so someone please correct me if i'm wrong.

**pyroki** · July 27th, 2005, 01:41 PM

thx dinner dog

**Dauntless** · July 27th, 2005, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by dinner dog

Mostly. Inorder to use the sockets you really need a [b]dedicated[b] server. i.e. not free and not shared as you need access to the ports on the server and hosts generally don't give those out.
There are ways around using sockets for multiplayer games but I don't think they are as effecient.
However I say that with no multiplayer development under my belt so someone please correct me if i'm wrong.

Euhm, you're completely right

. You can download either a prewritten socket server (SmartFox server, Unity, Elektroserver, MacroMedia Server, etc), or you can build your own using Perl/Python/... . The problem is indeed to find a server. I have been looking for a server for about a few years now...

. If you really want to build a MP game, just build it, and worry about the server later. As in my case, you might just find a sponsor who is willing to host your game. In the meantime you can set up your own server at home using Apache (+your socket server afcourse) and test from there.

Good luck and have fun!

**signifer123** · July 28th, 2005, 09:21 AM

I'm not extirly sure as to how fast it is but htis guy has a socket server in php and there are free web hosts for that

http://www.phparch.com/discuss/index...26/0/#msg_3326

**pyroki** · July 28th, 2005, 12:41 PM

thx

**jerez_z** · July 28th, 2005, 12:50 PM

Actually... from my exerperience, you still need command line access (SSH) and access to a command line version of PHP to run a php socket. I wrote one (see my footer) as well as a version in Java. I've looked around and the only ones that seem to fit my needs a complete or maybe a virtual dedicated servers costing upwards of $40/month