Client-Server

Gaming Architectures: Engines, Networking and Latency Game engines handle visuals, input, and physics, but multiplayer adds another layer. The key is a clean architecture where the engine stays focused on rendering while the networking layer hides distance. A responsive feel comes from smart netcode, not just fast graphics. How the engine and the server cooperate In most games, the server is authoritative. It runs the true game state and validates actions from players. Clients predict outcomes to appear responsive, then adjust when the server sends the authoritative result. The server and clients exchange state updates at a steady rate, while the engine renders frames between updates. Networking models and latency Client-server with a central server is the common choice for large games. It balances trust, fairness, and scalability. Peer-to-peer can work for small, local titles or special modes, but it faces trust and NAT challenges. Edge and cloud hosting reduce round trips by placing servers closer to players, cutting latency and jitter. Latency and user experience Prediction and interpolation hide latency. The client runs a forecast of the next state and smoothly blends in updates from the server. A higher tick rate improves responsiveness, but it costs bandwidth and compute. Finding the right balance is essential. Practical tips for developers Decide on a netcode model early and design data flows around it. Send essential state frequently; mark important events as reliable while keeping fast updates as unreliable. Use lag compensation and server reconciliation to keep actions fair for all players. Test with simulated lag and jitter to catch edge cases before launch. Real-world games often blend these ideas, using dedicated servers, fast edge nodes, and thoughtful prediction to feel smooth even with imperfect networks. ...

Gaming Architectures: From Client-Server to Cloud Gaming Gaming architectures have shifted from the classic client‑server setup to cloud gaming and hybrid models. The core idea is simple: a player’s device sends input, while the game logic, rendering, and sometimes the entire world runs on a remote system. This frees players from fast hardware and large downloads, yet it hinges on a steady network to keep the experience smooth. Staying with the traditional client‑server approach, the client handles the user interface while a central server maintains the game state and enforces rules. The flow is input → server → state update → frame sent to the device. This works well on PC and console, but it can demand low latency connections and robust servers, especially in multiplayer games. ...

Gaming Architectures: From Client-Server to Cloud Gaming Gaming architectures describe how games are built and delivered to players. Over the years, we moved from the classic client-server setup to modern cloud gaming. The choice affects performance, cost, and where you upgrade hardware. This article explains the main ideas and what they mean for players and developers. In a traditional client-server model, the game runs on the player’s device or console, while a central server handles multiplayer state and rules. The client renders graphics, inputs are sent to the server, and updates travel back and forth. This keeps things predictable and responsive, but it depends on your network speed and consistency. ...

REST vs GraphQL: Choosing the Right API Style APIs help apps talk to servers. REST and GraphQL are two common styles, and both have strengths. The best choice depends on what your app needs, how teams work, and how you plan to evolve the API over time. This guide keeps the ideas practical and easy to apply. Understanding the basics helps. REST organizes data around resources and uses clear URLs. It relies on standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, and DELETE, with status codes to describe results. Caching at the HTTP level is often straightforward, which is a plus for fast responses. GraphQL works through a single endpoint and a typed query language. Clients specify exactly what data they want, and responses are shaped to fit. The schema, often with types and fields, acts as a contract between client and server and helps with tooling and validation. ...