Best tech stack for creating a multiplayer social game in a browser

Backend
1

I’m planning to make an online social game where lots of people can play together. I’m not sure what to use for the backend and frontend. Here are some ideas I’ve been thinking about:

  1. A fast game engine on the server (maybe C++) with a web language like PHP or Python, and Flash for the frontend
  2. Everything in Python (using Twisted or Stackless) with Flash
  3. ASP.NET (or MVC) with Flash
  4. .NET with Silverlight

The first option might be too complicated. The last one sounds great for coding, but I’m worried about a few things:

  • No one’s really done this with Silverlight before
  • It might be hard to find Silverlight designers
  • Flash might be easier for designers to work with
  • Silverlight doesn’t have some game features like collision detection

What do you guys think? Also, I want to add this game to a bigger website, so it needs to work with a web framework.

Any advice on which option to choose or if there’s a better way to do this?

2

Having worked on several browser-based multiplayer games, I’d recommend considering a more modern tech stack. Node.js with Socket.IO for real-time communication on the backend paired with a JavaScript framework like React or Vue.js for the frontend could be a solid choice. This setup allows for seamless integration with web frameworks and provides excellent performance for multiplayer interactions.

For game-specific features, you might want to look into HTML5 Canvas or WebGL for rendering, coupled with a JavaScript game engine like Phaser or Three.js. These technologies are widely supported, have large communities, and offer the flexibility to create complex multiplayer experiences without relying on plugins like Flash or Silverlight.

Remember to factor in scalability from the start. Consider using a distributed architecture with microservices to handle different aspects of your game, making it easier to scale and maintain as your player base grows.

3

hey man, have u thought about using javascript for everything? like, node.js on the server and maybe somethin like phaser for the frontend? its pretty popular these days and u can do a lot with it. plus, its easier to find devs who know js compared to silverlight or flash. just my 2 cents

4

hey there! have u thought of using unity for ur game? it’s super versatile and exports to webGL so it runs in browsers.

plus, it offers built-in multiplayer support and loads of assets. what social features do u plan to highlight?