Is there a such thing as a free game server? For example, how does smartfoxserver have a server? They don’t pay someone else. Did they buy a physical server, than make the code to make the program run? I don’t have $2,500
i haven’t seen one yet
smartfox is software that runs a server instance from a client/server technology
probably
they wrote a program that has the server functionality from a client/server model.
I really wish you would help me network my game. 
I am trying to learn but I just cant figure it out.
That’s because you’re trying to run before you can walk. There’s a reason that people recommend starting small, and it’s not because they’re trying to stop you from having fun or they’re jealous because your ideas are all much better than theirs. It’s because learning these things is all much easier if you learn things in the right order.
What order should I learn it in? I mean I am not a complete noob on this. And I kinda knew there wasn’t a free game server
Follow the simple instructions from the M2H tutorial if you are using Unitys Networking, then extrapolate from that and work off of it. If you are using a different network backend like Photon, just do as they show you in the videos and then look at the code and extrapolate from that, this would be harder I think, was hard for me. I think SFS may be easier, and I am sure they have a how to set it up, then you will have to extrapolate from that or read the forums. Reguardless there isnt a full how to, you will only get bits and peices and in the end you will have to look over code and find solutions for yourself and what not. It isnt easy, its not something that happens right away either. I have been looking into networking for the last week or so and trust me, there is no how to make a full blown game. The closest you are going to get is just examples, you will have to take what you can from them and start from there. No one will program the networking unless you A hire them or B have something that is worth showing and someone decides to join your team.
Good luck have fun
I’d need to know your background. Show me the most complex game you ever completed (a screenshot or two will suffice, if that’s all you have) and I’ll have a better idea.
I have been looking into Networking for about a month now. So far no luck. I just can’t figure it out. Nobody will tell me. Its like a secret for pros only. If you aren’t a Unity Pro, you don’t deserve to know how it works. Thats what I am feeling. So far the only think I have accomplished is a networked game that only works in the LAN. I think I am close but I just can’t get things to connect to the entire world. I have done the M2H tutorial and that was pretty cool. What I am trying to have is a master server setup. This is so frustrating. I have had networkers on my team but they keep leaving, if anyone is interested send me a message. If not I will keep learning.
odd, if you followed the M2H tutorial then your master server setup should be working.
I guess the problem is not that it is a secret. the problem seems to be that you
- Expect it to do all on itself (network programming is in no way trivial - the unity networking example will get you started for sure, the M2H networking tutorial gives you the background)
- You have the totally unrealistic and never going to work out expectation that you will do a multiplayer game with no costs for the server. Even if you use unity networking, you need a dedicated machine for the master server (you can’t rely on UTs for this purpose), if you use SmartFox or Photon, you are going to pay for a much stronger one for granted cause then all networking traffic etc will go through your server (while the master server is only for finding games and estabilishing the base connection to the hosting player).
Basic cost analysis:
MySQL or Postgresql: Free
Free Unity supports Networking: Free
Hosted Virtual server: Monthly ~$50
Hosted Dedicated server: Monthly ~$100
Personal home server: Free for 180 days, purchase after that
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/default.aspx
ISP: Business class required for dedicated upload/download speeds if using own server: Monthly ~$100
Annual cost estimate with personal home server: ~$1,200 minimum, max player base on bandwidth for that price: ~10 to ~100 depending on your code
Upstart fees, server that is strong enough to hold that many players: ~$2,500 minimum
Transaction based system, simplified, SQL Server 2008, Free for first 180 days, cost of purchase after that based on version purchased:
Research software for network topology and bandwidth planning: IT GURU by OPNET
Direct link to correct software for planning architecture:
I have seen a million of these help me with my MMO threads or help me with my networking threads, but none of them start out with the simple things like:
“I have already mapped out my network topology”
“I have already researched my ISP options”
“I have already done a cost analysis”
“I have already planned out my funding”
“I have already…”
The question is, what have you already done? I see you state you are not a complete noob, so this means you have done something, maybe your game is completed and you want to simply network it? You have already figured out your connection limitations? You have already …
A game is a game is a game. Networking it just says you found a way to instansiate items across the network as shared resources. Player A joins the game, now all other players see player A. That has nothing to do with an MMO or networking a game.
Thanks for that post. Very helpful. Well here is my game’s current progress, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyLpxQXUKzk
I want a master server setup, with a lobby system. I have already setup code for a lobby. Would that be expensive? Kind of like crashdrive 3D on wooglie. I want it to be like that. Why would the guys that made Crashdrive 3D spend all that money and time and effort on a free game that only a couple people would play? Thanks for everyone’s help.
Master server setup with lobby (aka game listing only, right, cause thats all you will get. if you want chat, you must go with smartfox, photon or neutron or a fully self developed solution) → Unity Networking Example offers that out of the box
and why they would spend the time and money: Cause they want to, cause they want it as portfolio game, cause they enjoy it, cause its an advertisement investment for them, cause … (you can continue this list with another few hundred objective and correct statements if you want to cover the general reasons )
Sorry for bringing a a old topic, but how does this game have networking??I am pretty sure this server is free, if i am wrong go ahead and ruthlessly correct me
-Ac1d
without a master server you setup and have running, only people with port forwarding can host games, which in various cases means “not that many to none”
So you can use Unity to host free MMO servers? Cause I can’t afford any servers…only free ones 
MMO will always require that you host it, you can’t reasonably do it otherwise cause critical security data stored in the database can not be made publically available with you being sued to hell 
MMOs are always a significant financial investment from the dev for the hardware, upkeep, live support, …