An Open-Source Framework Using WebRTC for Online Multiplayer Gaming

• Rodrigo Campos Borges FURG
• Marcelo de Gomensoro Malheiros FURG
• Cleo Zanella Billa FURG
• Marcelo Rita Pias FURG
• Alessandro de Lima Bicho FURG

Resumo

Currently, most network topologies used in online games to connect players are client-server, even for browser-based games. This work evaluates an alternative approach, describing the implementation of a hybrid peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture. We have developed the open-source Proton framework for multiplayer online games, using the browser-based Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) technology and running on the Unity game engine. As a case study, the same prototype game was built over both topologies: a client-server using the Photon Unity Networking (PUN) and the other using our proposed framework. We detail our implementation and then analyze networking metrics in two scenarios. Later, we show that the results are promising and assess that the WebRTC API is mature enough to serve as the basis for online multiplayer games.

Palavras-chave: WebRTC, multiplayer games, peer-to-peer communication