How do Multiplayer Online Games Work?
Online games work due to a server. A server acts as the gateway for every multiplayer online game. The server can host the game for many clients or group several computers to form a peer to peer network. Without a server and internet connection, online games aren’t be possible.
Several computers can connect to the same LAN, but those are technically offline games. Online games are over the internet.
Whether an online game is performed over a client server model or a peer to peer model, only the commands and actions need communicated.
None of the graphics, animations, or sounds are transmitted between the computer. Each computer runs the game on the local PC. All sounds and graphics are generated by the local hardware.
Only keyboard, mouse, or controller inputs are exchanged between computers. These inputs are sent between the computers which then create the actions in we see on screen in real time for everyone.
This drastically reduces the data sent over the internet. For example, Warcraft II was played online over a phone line with a 56K modem. Being disconnected was more likely to happen than lag. Either was rare.
While it may feel like everyone is playing the same game, each computer is running a copy of the game locally. Only the commands are shared between each player participating in the online game.
Clients and Servers
Whether it’s a website or hosting a game lobby, every online game involves a server. Very few games actually use a client server model to host an online game. This is where the server hosts and runs the game. While the clients only connect to the server and provide inputs.
Most multiplayer online games use a peer to peer network model to play games. In this model the server doesn’t run the game. Instead it establishes a virtual network for several clients to join. Each computer then exchanges information with every computer connected in the virtual network to play a game.
Multiplayer Games
Most games are essentially programmed the same whether they’re for multiplayer online or not. For example, racing games use the same cars, tracks, and mechanics. The other racers can be populated with artificial intelligence or actual people.
Same for first person shooters or strategy games. Playing against computers isn’t as much fun as playing against actual people. Since people can adapt, react, and aren’t as predictable as computer players.
The game is basically the same whether it’s for a single player or multiple players. The actions of your player are controlled by your keyboard, mouse, or controller. Actions of other players are controlled locally by artificial intelligence built into the game for single player games.
Online multiplayer games utilize the keyboard, mice, or controller inputs of other people to control the actions of other players you see on your screen.
Their inputs are sent over the network which are then used by the game running locally. In order for these actions to be synchronized in real time, the game does use a buffer.
The buffer is measured in milliseconds so we can’t usually perceive it. Only when the tick rate for the game lags behind the network latency do we notice it. Lag can slow down the game or cause glitches.
In my experience, the two main causes of lag are using a wireless connection or your internet service provider. Use a wired connection to your internet if possible. Unfortunately, wireless is the only option for a Nintendo Switch. Upgrade your internet service provider if that’s the problem.
Summary
Multiplayer games online work through the internet with servers. Games have improved dramatically and the hardware to run them is more complex then ever. However, how they work online remains a simple notion of exchanging data between computers.
FAQ
How Multiplayer Games Work brought to you by David M.
I’m David M. I’ve been playing video games a long time, my pong game was fire. Now, my kids run circles around me but we always have a good time. We mostly play party and family games. Strategy and battle games are still among my favorites. I like writing about games almost as much as I do playing them. My favorite games are: Moving Out 2, Out of Space and Overcooked All You Can Eat.
