Simple Network Manager Connectivity Question

Multiplayer & Networking Netcode for GameObjects
1

So, I’m trying to get a handle on how to get a very basic multiplayer setup working from one computer to another. My needs are very limited:

  • The server is also a client (first client is the host)

  • Connect between 1-8 players via direct IP connection (type in IP, port, click “Connect”)

  • I don’t need matchmaking

  • I don’t need a lobby

  • I don’t need an independent game server or master server

Mainly, I just want to be able to test my game by allowing my friend at his house to type my IP and port into his game, hit connect, and spawn in my game.

Does anyone know any guides, resources, store assets that easily demonstrate or enable this basic functionality?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Everything I’ve been able to find on my own seems to involve lobbies, independent game servers, etc. I just want a simple way to test my game with friends who live in other places.

2

Your biggest issue is modern home routers which give all computers on your local network private IP addresses that are not Internet routable (Network Address Translation, AKA NAT). You’ll need to use a technique so that people on the Internet can connect to your computer behind your NAT router. Setting up port forwarding on your router is the easiest way for something you’re just testing, but it isn’t practical really to release a game that relies on that. This is the reason for the Unity Multiplayer Relay service, the NAT Transversal asset store package, master servers, Photon Cloud, etc.

So pick which way you want to get around hosts being behind a NAT router and check out the tutorials for it.