Comments: Game server or App server?

Solar2D General Questions/Discussion
#1

For the most up to date discussions on Coronium please use this thread.  Thanks!

Howdy all,

I’ve spent the last couple weeks doing R&D for building an open source server stack for turn-based multi-player games, as well as, an app server (i.e. Parse), with an emphasis on working with Corona SDK.  But I find myself at a crossroad.

The server would be TCP socket-based, authoritative and all server-side scripts would be coded in Lua.  I have a background in developing multi-user apps with the long forgotten Flash Communication Server for Actionscript.  The one thing I loved was being able to use the same language to develop on the server as well as the client.  So far I have not found a clean, simple, and cost-effective service that offers this for Lua.  I am about 90% done with the “test” stack and have had some amazing results so far.  To be clear this is not an FPS type server, it’s built for storing state, sending notifications, etc. more specific to turn-based type games.

On the other hand services like Parse, etc. offer an app server stack, which are also very useful.  And while it would take quite awhile to match the full feature set, I’m very confident that I could build out a stack that would offer push, data storage, and cloud code, all using Lua as the scripting language, on both the front and back-end.  No plug-ins.

Much like the mod_parse module, the goal is to remove as much friction as possible for the developer.  So while you won’t deal with databases, etc. directly, you will have access to a clean and simple API for any functionality.

I would love to build both, but can only choose one for now.  So before I try to solve any problems that don’t need to be solved, I wanted to know what you, the developers, would find most useful.

Comments and discussion appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

To cover my rear, I’m not confirming that either of these projects will ever see the light of day, but my intention is to build out a beta of at least one of them over the next few months, and I’m already well past the technology stage.

#2

Hi dev,

If its about voting, app server for me :slight_smile: with mySql and possibly wordpress data tables/user authentication integrated

#3

Hi atanas,

Yeah I’m leaning towards the app server as well.  The data layer will include mySql and Redis.  Can you point me toward any information in regards to the WordPress authentication?

Cheers.

#4

Great - Wordpress stores the users in a table wp_users in their database. If you could store all your data in the same db and link to the wp_users it would be fantastic

Thanks
Atanas

#5

@atanas I’ll put in it on the research list.

Thanks for the feedback.

#6

Great, let us know the progress

#7

app server sounds great! Thanks for putting in the time for r&d. Please feel free to reach out if you need any help testing. 

#8

@ksan Thanks for your vote.  And yes I’ll be looking for some brave souls to alpha with soon.  :wink:

Cheers.

#9

Dev, what is the server required config? Let me know if you need a Wordpress server

#10

While I’m building it out on Arch Linux to keep everything lean, the components should compile on any modern Linux box.  But my goal is to get it into a Docker container for those who don’t want to mess with the source.  I’ll also be providing various tutorials on various cloud hosting providers.  But that will be awhile still.

Keeping with the Corona philosophy, the goal is to make it as simple as possible, so that it can be installed and used by most anyone.  But it will be open sourced so you can tinker at whatever level you’re comfortable with.  That’s the goal anyway. :wink:

As far as Wordpress, I have one up already that I can break.  But thank you for the offer.  Much appreciated.

Cheers.

#11

Sounds great, where do we send the Red Bull? :slight_smile:

#12

:D - I have a Keurig that never sleeps. 

I’m moving this into a Google Group if anyone wants to help test or just keep up to date on the progress, contribute code and ideas, etc.

I’ll post any major updates in the forum as well.

https://groups.google.com/d/forum/coronium-cloud-platform

Cheers.

#13

@develephant, just checking in to see how your Keurig supplies are doing. Let us know if you need a top up.

Very curious to see if you have any progress. About to start a new project and I would love to go in this direction if at all possible. No pressure!  :slight_smile:

Thanks much for all you do for our community!!!

#14

@ksan - I have.  You must hear the chimes ringing because I am putting together some demo stuff right now. :) 

Hang tight, I would love some testing feedback.

Cheers.

#15

Best news ever!!! Can’t wait.

#16

Hello,

I’ve posted more information about the project at http://coronium.org

You can view a screencast of the progress.  The Lua cloud code in particular starts around 9:17

Still working on the push component, but will have some progress by next week.

If anyone is interested please join the Google Group here.

Cheers.

#17

@develephant
cheers, may you succeed, hoorah!

before i join the craze, what’s the difference between a Game server and an app server?? enlighten me plzzz

#18

Hi reyanthonyrenacia,

Going the app server route actually opens up the functionality enough to create the proper modules for most any game server set up. While going strictly game server would have limited development to specific game related functionality only.

Since I am going to be using Coronium for a turn based game in the near future, there will be modules available that can enhance the Coronium server, basically turning it into a game server.

The major difference is speed. Coronium is not meant for FPS or games that require near real-time processing. Coronium is based on a message protocol, and while it is pretty fast, just can’t provide that type of raw throughput. It will be best for turn-based games that require storage mechanics between turns.

This thread here http://forums.coronalabs.com/topic/43421-coronium-cloud-platform/ is following the active development, so be sure to add your comments and suggestions.

If would like to play around with an instance, let me know.

Cheers.

#19

Looks fantastic, for now I am riding on Kerem’s progress but would love to join as soon as I finish my current stuff. Have a great week end

#20

@atanas Let me know.  I realized the other day that you had wanted in a while back, so my apologies for not getting back to you sooner.  Kerem might be the Coronium “guru” soon, so he’s a good one to follow. :wink:

Cheers.