Is it possible to make a free multiplayer game for mobile?

Hi,

I wanted to make a small project when a player could play against another player without using a server between the two of them. One would be the host and the other will join him. (p2p)
So far I saw that there is "Photon" that will help me achieve that for pc, but what about mobile?
What do I need to know?

Thanks.

 

Yes.

You need to know basics of computer programming and have ability to read and make sense of documentation.

Aside from Photon another option is Mirror framework. Depending on what you're trying to do.

 

For starters, you need to know that Photon is not actually free.

 

Also you need to know that you will probably need web visible server or else people will have to type IP address to join and people behind NAT will not be reachable.

 

I have a degree, it won't be a problem to learn I guess.
Just wanted to know opinions if it is possible to implement it independently or there is sort of an easy API that everyone uses.
Thanks.

 

No offence, but It proves nothing.
The real learning happens on the job.
Your degree should teach you how to search for an answers at best.
But instead started the thread, with little research before hand, even there are tons of answers already on the forum. The OP question how it was formulated, shows little understanding in the topic.

 

Seems like a weird question when you already have a mobile game published in your signature. If you can manage that, I think you can manage how to google information about adding the features you want.

Mirror and PUN are great solutions. I prefer Mirror.

 

It's free up to 25 CCU. TBH, hitting 25 CCU is hard for a small indie multiplayer game, especially if it's a paid game. If it's a free game, you'd need at least 500 DAU to even possibly hit that 25 CCU. And that means players are playing multiple sessions each day.

If on the chance it goes over that, you can pay a one off of $95 to permanently increase it.
Photon is the most viable solution for getting multiplayer up and running easily. It has matchmaking built in, as well as server management, two things that can be a nightmare to setup manually.

If you want to move to something more advanced/flexible, look at Mirror, but then matchmaking and server hosting/orchestration is another beast you need to tame.

Photon is also releasing Fusion soon, which is an authoritative solution which sounds pretty interesting.

 

The fact that I can google anything doesn't mean I can't ask here to get more info.
People afraid to ask stupid questions but eventually end up with stupid solutions.
I am doing a little research before starting something and I just wanted to hear opinions from developers who struggled during the implementation.
Thanks...

 

20 CCU. I'll just assume you're accurate on the rest since I have yet to deal with multiplayer on a personal basis.

On a related note, and this is something that my own searches have not turned up anything for, what happens if you have a sudden spike in users that would bring you above the CCU limit? Is it a hard limit that just prevents connections or are they temporarily allowed through and the developer sent a message about it?

 

https://www.photonengine.com/en-US/PUN/Pricing

It's behind the "More..." button.