name: multiplayer description: Multiplayer game development principles. Architecture, networking, synchronization. allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep, Bash metadata: version: "1.0.1"

Multiplayer Game Development

Networking architecture and synchronization principles.

1. Architecture Selection

Decision Tree

What type of multiplayer?
│
├── Competitive / Real-time
│   └── Dedicated Server (authoritative)
│
├── Cooperative / Casual
│   └── Host-based (one player is server)
│
├── Turn-based
│   └── Client-server (simple)
│
└── Massive (MMO)
    └── Distributed servers

Comparison

2. Synchronization Principles

State vs Input

Lag Compensation

3. Network Optimization

Bandwidth Reduction

Update Rates

4. Security Principles

Server Authority

Client: "I hit the enemy"
Server: Validate → did projectile actually hit?
         → was player in valid state?
         → was timing possible?

Anti-Cheat

5. Matchmaking

Considerations

6. Anti-Patterns

Remember: Never trust the client. The server is the source of truth.