What do you do if you're trying to develop a multiplayer game and don't know which engine to use?

1 Genre and Style

One of the first things to think about is what kind of game you want to make. Different game engines have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to supporting certain genres and styles. For example, if you're making a first-person shooter, you might want to use an engine that has built-in physics, lighting, and animation systems, such as Unreal Engine or Unity. If you're making a strategy game, you might want to use an engine that has tools for creating complex AI, UI, and networking, such as Godot or GameMaker Studio. If you're making a casual game, you might want to use an engine that is easy to learn and has a lot of assets and templates, such as Construct or RPG Maker.

2 Features and Functionality

Another thing to consider is what features and functionality you need for your multiplayer game. Different game engines have different capabilities and limitations when it comes to implementing multiplayer features, such as matchmaking, chat, leaderboards, achievements, and more. Some engines have built-in multiplayer frameworks that handle these features for you, such as Photon or PlayFab. Some engines require you to use third-party services or libraries, such as Steamworks or Firebase. Some engines let you create your own custom multiplayer solutions, such as using sockets or websockets. You should research the options and costs of each engine and compare them to your game's requirements and budget.

4 Community and Support

A final factor to weigh is how much community and support you can get from your game engine. Developing a multiplayer game can be a complex and challenging process, and you might need help from other developers, tutorials, documentation, forums, or customer service. You should choose an engine that has a large and active community of users and developers, as well as a reliable and responsive support system. You should also check the reviews and ratings of each engine, as well as the frequency and quality of updates and bug fixes.

Choosing a game engine for your multiplayer game is not an easy task, but it can be a rewarding one. By considering these four factors, you can narrow down your options and find the best engine for your game's vision and goals. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and you might have to experiment and test different engines until you find the one that suits your needs and preferences. Good luck and have fun with your multiplayer game development!

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?