• Rivet Gaming, Inc. provides open-source multiplayer infrastructure supporting game engines like Godot, Unity, Unreal Engine, HTML5, and custom engines.
  • Rivet offers low-latency networking, DDoS mitigation, autoscaling, matchmaking, lobbies, parties, and account management.
  • The modular platform allows developers to choose needed modules, write server-side logic, and modify existing modules, with many essential features included for free.

Over the last ten years, the multiplayer gaming industry has experienced an explosion in growth due to technological advancements and online gaming’s increasing popularity.

In this regard, developers are always looking for innovative ways to establish multiplayer experiences that are seamless, captivating, and expandable.

Nevertheless, the backend infrastructure needed for these games often presents significant difficulties.

Developers have to deal with challenges such as high latency, and DDoS attacks as well as server maintenance and scaling which is very complex.

As this sector evolves, there is an increasing demand for backend solutions that are flexible enough in terms of costs and can meet the dynamic requirements of multiplayer games.

Enter Rivet: A Game-Changer for Developers

Rivet Gaming Inc. was founded in November 2019 by Nathan Flurry and Nicholas Kissel.

Rivet stands out among other players by offering open-source multiplayer infrastructure. Rivet provides a comprehensive back-end solution for many game engines including Godot Engine, Unity Engine, Unreal Engine, HTML5 engine, or any custom one.

One major aspect that distinguishes Rivet from its competitors is its commitment to being open-sourced—allowing users to host their instances.

Comprehensive Features for Seamless Gaming

Rivet features a wide range of capabilities that cater to the different needs of multiplayer game creators.

For example, it offers game servers and peer-to-peer networking with low latency, free DDoS mitigation, autoscaling, instant server deployment, comprehensive monitoring, and crash reporting, among others.

It supports multiple protocols like TCP, UDP, WebSockets, etc., so you can use it with most networking frameworks.

For matchmaking lobbies and parties, Rivet supports casual competitive MMO turn-based games with both server-authoritative and p2p options.

Also contained within the platform are account management services, friend lists, presence features, and supporting social logins such as Google, Twitch, and Discord.

Modularity and Customization

One remarkable feature of Rivet is its modularity. It allows developers to select the modules they need, easily write server-side business logic, and change the existing ones on demand.

It also contains a free database, real-time functionality with actors, and several more functions such as achievements analytics, authentication, chat currency, leaderboards, etc.

Cost-Effective and Transparent

Rivet’s pricing model demonstrates their dedication to making their services affordable to all. Various critical Rivet features like DDoS mitigation are provided for free.

The open-source nature of Rivet, its permissive Apache 2.0 license as well as an option for on-premise self-hosting emphasize the platform’s commitment to flexibility, security, and developer needs.

Leading the Way in Open-Source Development

Their passion for creating such an open-source solution is driven by extensive experience among Rivet’s founders in shipping multiplayer games that meet the changing demands of game developers.

Their long-term strategy is geared towards developing a radically open-source tool that places Rivet at the forefront of game development going forward.

In an industry where closed-source solutions often fail to grow alongside developers’ needs, Rivet stands out as a versatile, reliable, and cost-effective backend solution that empowers developers to focus on what they do best: creating engaging multiplayer experiences.

Edited By Annette George