SaaS vs. Source Code vs. Hybrid: Making the Right Choice for Your Game Backend with RallyHere

When choosing the backend for multiplayer live-service games, developers face a critical decision: Should they opt for a streamlined SaaS model, a customizable source-code solution, or a hybrid of both? Understanding the differences can help your studio make the right choice.

At RallyHere, our highly customizable SaaS solution meets the needs of most developers by offering flexibility without the overhead. The good news? For those with unique requirements, we can also provide source-code and hybrid models. So, regardless of the needs of your game and studio, RallyHere can partner with you to make it happen.

The Source-Code Model: Flexibility at a Price

The source-code model provides unparalleled freedom, but with great freedom comes great responsibility. Developers get the entire backend engine source code, allowing them to make any changes, and then operate that engine within their studio’s own cloud infrastructure. On paper, this sounds perfect---no more waiting on updates or features from the vendor. You can implement whatever you need when you need it. But, it comes with a cost that can erode some of the cost and operations advantages that customers tend to see with a full SaaS option.

Pros:

1. Full Customization: You have the power to adjust and optimize every detail of your backend. If your game needs specific features that aren’t on the vendor’s roadmap and can’t be met through the vendor’s built-in customization systems, you can simply build them yourself.
2. No Vendor Roadblocks: You aren’t bottlenecked by the vendor’s development priorities or update schedules. If a critical feature is missing or a bug needs fixing, your team can dive into the code immediately.
3. Greater Infrastructure Freedom: You have complete control over the backend servers and can run them exactly as you see fit. You control the backend servers entirely, mitigating risk or if you need to abruptly pivot your infrastructure strategy.

Cons:

1. High Operational Complexity: Running your own backend requires assembling a robust Game Operations team responsible for tasks like 24/7 server monitoring, handling downtime incidents, scaling infrastructure during peak loads, applying critical security patches, interfacing with your cloud provider, and ensuring compliance with data regulations. For instance, you should invest in specialized monitoring tools, hire experts skilled in Kubernetes and cloud orchestration, and have those experts available around the clock.
2. Maintenance Responsibility: You’re fully responsible for bugs, performance issues, or security vulnerabilities. Over time, maintaining a custom backend becomes a significant resource drain, especially for smaller teams.
3. Upgrade Difficulty: Although upgrades may be available for your source code, applying them becomes increasingly difficult as you customize your backend software.
4. Lack of Shared Updates: While custom-built solutions are tailored, they often lack the shared improvements and innovations that SaaS models can provide. This means your team must always stay up to date with evolving technology, frequently reinventing solutions already built elsewhere.
5. Cost of Expertise: Hiring and retaining the necessary engineering talent to manage this custom backend can be expensive. These specialized skills are often hard to find, and teams must invest heavily in talent and infrastructure.

The SaaS Model: Streamlined and Scalable

In contrast, a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) model takes much of the complexity off your plate. RallyHere provides backend services through APIs, letting you focus on building the game while leaving server management and scaling in trusted hands.

Pros:

1. Operational Simplicity: A SaaS backend removes the burden of server management, scaling, and infrastructure maintenance. With RallyHere, you don’t need to worry about uptime, scaling, or security. This frees developers to focus on the game rather than backend infrastructure. The RallyHere team has been hosting live service games for over a decade and is battle-tested.
2. Automatic Updates and Improvements: RallyHere’s SaaS model means all customers benefit from the latest innovations and updates. This is crucial for fast-moving industries like gaming, where new features like cross-play, LiveOps tools, and security updates are constantly being added.
3. Cost Efficiency: You don’t need a large operations team to run a custom backend. RallyHere manages the servers and infrastructure, which translates to lower overhead costs. For most studios, this is a massive financial benefit. This means fewer upfront expenses and ongoing maintenance, freeing resources to focus on what matters most: building great games.
4. Customization without Complexity: RallyHere allows for extensive customization through a series of “knobs” and insertion points, such as custom matchmaking rules, player progression systems, or monetization strategies. This flexibility ensures that you can tailor the backend to your game’s specific needs without the burden of managing the entire system.

5. Shared Improvements: In a SaaS environment, developers benefit from the network effect of other customers. As RallyHere adds features based on feedback from its broad customer base, every studio can access those improvements.

6. A true partner that’s an extension of your team: RallyHere’s approach to SaaS effectively brings the expertise of more than a decade of experience in live services right to your game as an extension of your team, with fast access to experts via Slack.

Cons:

1. Customization Limitations: While RallyHere offers a high degree of flexibility, extreme customizations may still be limited compared to owning the source code. Studios with niche or highly specific needs may need more control than SaaS offers.
2. Dependency on Vendor: You rely on the SaaS provider for key features and updates. If something is missing, you may need to wait for the vendor to implement it. However, this is mitigated by RallyHere’s hybrid approach for specific customers, which offers a solution for even the most custom needs.

The Hybrid Approach: Your cloud but with outsourced operations

For larger studios or those with highly specific needs, RallyHere offers a hybrid model. This allows customers to license the source code and run the game inside the customer’s cloud while relying on RallyHere’s expert Game Operations team to manage infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance without building an in-house team. This approach enables the ultimate flexibility for developers who need to push the boundaries of customization without sacrificing operational simplicity.

Notably, RallyHere has source-code buy-out options for select customers, meaning they can own their backend entirely. However, these options best suit large enterprises with specific, complex requirements. For most studios, the SaaS model remains the optimal balance of customization, cost, and simplicity.

How RallyHere Addresses All Scenarios

Regardless of which model you choose, RallyHere ensures your backend meets the demands of modern multiplayer game development. From offering customizable SaaS solutions to giving you complete control through our hybrid or source-code models, RallyHere helps studios scale and innovate while minimizing complexity. Developers get the best of both worlds: flexibility where needed and ease of use everywhere else.

At the core of our solution is operational efficiency and developer control:

• Plug-and-play APIs for instant access to critical features like matchmaking, player progression, and session management.
• Seamless integrations with Unreal Engine 5, ensuring development teams can get up and running fast with a fully scalable backend.
• Comprehensive analytics and LiveOps tools to ensure your game evolves and adapts in real-time.

Conclusion

Choosing between a SaaS and source-code backend model is not a one-size-fits-all decision. The source-code model offers freedom but requires significant resources and expertise. The SaaS model, especially as offered by RallyHere, provides simplicity, cost-efficiency, and continuous innovation while still allowing a high degree of customization. For studios that need more control, RallyHere’s hybrid model offers the flexibility to meet the most demanding needs.

Ultimately, with RallyHere, you get a solution that grows with your game, leaving you free to focus on what matters: building great gaming experiences.

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