Game Synchronization
Game synchronization is a fundamental concept in multiplayer and networked game development that ensures all players experience a consistent game state across different devices or network connections. It involves techniques to handle latency, packet loss, and varying client performance to maintain fairness and accuracy in real-time interactions. This includes methods like client-side prediction, server reconciliation, and interpolation to create a smooth and responsive gameplay experience.
Developers should learn game synchronization when building multiplayer games, especially real-time ones like shooters, MOBAs, or racing games, to prevent issues like lag, desynchronization, and cheating. It is crucial for maintaining competitive integrity and player satisfaction in online environments, where network conditions can vary widely. Understanding synchronization helps in designing scalable architectures that support large numbers of concurrent players without compromising performance.