Game server
Encyclopedia
A game server is a remotely or locally run server
used by game client
s to play multiplayer video games. Most video games played over the Internet operate via a connection to a game server. A game server can also be referred to as a host
(especially when one of the clients also acts as the server) or a shard (especially in the context of massively multiplayer games).
arrangement, but it requires a separate computer to host the server application. The additional computer is a server.
Network bandwidth, in particular upstream bandwidth, is often one of the major limitations in hosting game servers. Home broadband Internet connections rarely provide the necessary upstream bandwidth to host dedicated game servers with more than 4-10 clients. In the past, this was the only option available. Typically a player would buy the game and host the server, as well as running the client, on their home computer. Even if the bandwidth provided by the latest broadband
services at the time could handle the outbound network traffic the computer itself still struggled to provide a good quality of service to the networked players, while simultaneously running the game on the same machine.
A professional server is a computer purpose-built to read data and transmit vast amounts of data as fast as players need it. A handful of game hosting pioneers realized the need for such systems. They purchased rack mounted server machines and colocated them within datacenters to host their games. They paid between $200 and $700 a month for this luxury, and the teams that could foot such bills were few and far between, but these setups significantly improved the gameplay. Within a few years online multiplayer gaming became a huge success. Prices have lowered dramatically and renting game servers, or dedicated servers to host game servers on, is something that has become very common for online gaming teams.
situations rather than over the Internet, and usually with a lower number of players due to the increased processing and bandwidth requirements associated with operating both server and client simultaneously on the same machine.
Dedicated servers are servers which run independently of the client. Such servers may be run by individuals, but are usually run on dedicated hardware located in data centers, providing more bandwidth and dedicated processing power. Dedicated servers are the preferred method of hosting game servers for most PC
-based multiplayer games.
Massively multiplayer online game
s run on dedicated servers usually hosted by the software company that owns the game title, allowing them to control and update content. In many cases they are run on clustered servers to allow huge environments and large player counts.
Server (computing)
In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
used by game client
Game client
A game client is a piece of software that connects to a game server. The server provides the connection and sends packets of information back to the game client. Many clients can be connected to the server at the same time, which will keep an overall view of the game world. Each game-client has...
s to play multiplayer video games. Most video games played over the Internet operate via a connection to a game server. A game server can also be referred to as a host
Host (network)
A network host is a computer connected to a computer network. A network host may offer information resources, services, and applications to users or other nodes on the network. A network host is a network node that is assigned a network layer host address....
(especially when one of the clients also acts as the server) or a shard (especially in the context of massively multiplayer games).
Game server hosting
Game server providers (GSPs) are companies that lease game servers. Gaming clans will often lease one or more servers for their chosen game, with members of the clan contributing to the server rental fees.Dedicated game server
Most games use a dedicated server application. This program collects data from players and distributes it to other players. This is more efficient and effective than a peer-to-peerPeer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer computing or networking is a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks or workloads among peers. Peers are equally privileged, equipotent participants in the application...
arrangement, but it requires a separate computer to host the server application. The additional computer is a server.
Network bandwidth, in particular upstream bandwidth, is often one of the major limitations in hosting game servers. Home broadband Internet connections rarely provide the necessary upstream bandwidth to host dedicated game servers with more than 4-10 clients. In the past, this was the only option available. Typically a player would buy the game and host the server, as well as running the client, on their home computer. Even if the bandwidth provided by the latest broadband
Broadband Internet access
Broadband Internet access, often shortened to just "broadband", is a high data rate, low-latency connection to the Internet— typically contrasted with dial-up access using a 56 kbit/s modem or satellite Internet with inherently high latency....
services at the time could handle the outbound network traffic the computer itself still struggled to provide a good quality of service to the networked players, while simultaneously running the game on the same machine.
A professional server is a computer purpose-built to read data and transmit vast amounts of data as fast as players need it. A handful of game hosting pioneers realized the need for such systems. They purchased rack mounted server machines and colocated them within datacenters to host their games. They paid between $200 and $700 a month for this luxury, and the teams that could foot such bills were few and far between, but these setups significantly improved the gameplay. Within a few years online multiplayer gaming became a huge success. Prices have lowered dramatically and renting game servers, or dedicated servers to host game servers on, is something that has become very common for online gaming teams.
Types of game servers
Game servers can be classified as listen servers and dedicated servers. Listen server refers to a situation in which the server typically runs in the same process as the game client, allowing a player to both host and participate in the game. As a side effect, the server is usually terminated when the client is. Listen servers are operated mostly by individuals, often in LAN PartyLAN party
A LAN party is a temporary, sometimes spontaneous, gathering of people with computers, between which they establish a local area network , primarily for the purpose of playing multiplayer computer games. The size of these networks may vary from the very small to very large installations...
situations rather than over the Internet, and usually with a lower number of players due to the increased processing and bandwidth requirements associated with operating both server and client simultaneously on the same machine.
Dedicated servers are servers which run independently of the client. Such servers may be run by individuals, but are usually run on dedicated hardware located in data centers, providing more bandwidth and dedicated processing power. Dedicated servers are the preferred method of hosting game servers for most PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
-based multiplayer games.
Massively multiplayer online game
Massively multiplayer online game
A massively multiplayer online game is a multiplayer video game which is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. By necessity, they are played on the Internet, and usually feature at least one persistent world. They are, however, not necessarily games played on...
s run on dedicated servers usually hosted by the software company that owns the game title, allowing them to control and update content. In many cases they are run on clustered servers to allow huge environments and large player counts.