What is this?
A fast, scalable game server framework for Node.js, originally built by NetEase. It ships the core framework plus related components — libraries and tools — and also suits realtime web apps.
A fast, scalable game server framework for Node.js, originally built by NetEase. It ships the core framework plus related components — libraries and tools — and also suits realtime web apps.Is this a full game engine, or just the server side?Just the server side: a framework plus components (rpc, protocol, admin, scheduler, logger) running on Node.js, not a client engine. Client libraries for connecting apps are included separately.
Just the server side: a framework plus components (rpc, protocol, admin, scheduler, logger) running on Node.js, not a client engine. Client libraries for connecting apps are included separately.How do I get started building a server with it?Everything is distributed as npm modules — add the pomelo core and the components you need to a Node.js project, then follow the Getting started docs and tutorial. The test suite runs via grunt.
Everything is distributed as npm modules — add the pomelo core and the components you need to a Node.js project, then follow the Getting started docs and tutorial. The test suite runs via grunt.What do I need installed to run it?Only Node.js — the whole architecture is designed around node's single-threaded model. Runtime dependencies include socket.io, async, crc and pomelo's own modules like pomelo-rpc and pomelo-protocol.
Only Node.js — the whole architecture is designed around node's single-threaded model. Runtime dependencies include socket.io, async, crc and pomelo's own modules like pomelo-rpc and pomelo-protocol.Is pomelo still actively maintained?No — the GitHub repository is archived and read-only, and the license copyright stops at 2017. Treat it as a frozen but once battle-tested codebase rather than a living project.
No — the GitHub repository is archived and read-only, and the license copyright stops at 2017. Treat it as a frozen but once battle-tested codebase rather than a living project.What kinds of games and apps is it meant for?Multiplayer games — mobile, social, web and mid-size MMO RPGs — plus realtime applications like chat and message push.
Multiplayer games — mobile, social, web and mid-size MMO RPGs — plus realtime applications like chat and message push.Can I use it in a commercial game, and what does it cost?It's MIT licensed: free for any use, including commercial projects, as long as you keep the copyright notice in your copies.
It's MIT licensed: free for any use, including commercial projects, as long as you keep the copyright notice in your copies.How does it scale to many players?Through a distributed, multi-process architecture: each process runs single-threaded, which fits node's model well. You scale by adding server processes, and server types are flexibly extensible.
Through a distributed, multi-process architecture: each process runs single-threaded, which fits node's model well. You scale by adding server processes, and server types are flexibly extensible.Which client platforms can connect to a pomelo server?Many: JavaScript (web), Flash, Android, iOS, cocos2d-x and plain C — client support is listed as one of the framework's selling points.
Many: JavaScript (web), Flash, Android, iOS, cocos2d-x and plain C — client support is listed as one of the framework's selling points.Is there a working demo to learn from?Yes — an open-source MMO RPG demo with an HTML5 client, alongside many examples and full documentation. The authors say the demo is a far better reference than any book.
Yes — an open-source MMO RPG demo with an HTML5 client, alongside many examples and full documentation. The authors say the demo is a far better reference than any book.Can I extend it with my own components?Yes: there is a plugin architecture, official plugins like online status and master high availability, and you can define your own network protocol and custom components.
Yes: there is a plugin architecture, official plugins like online status and master high availability, and you can define your own network protocol and custom components.What tooling comes with it out of the box?A command-line tool, an admin tool and a performance test tool, plus libraries for AI and path finding.
A command-line tool, an admin tool and a performance test tool, plus libraries for AI and path finding.What are similar projects?socket.io, skynet, centrifugo, nakama, boardgame.io, ReSkate, tornado, luanti
socket.io, skynet, centrifugo, nakama, boardgame.io, ReSkate, tornado, luantiWhich topics is it in?game-server, socket-io, multiplayer, rpc, scalability, notifications, chat, game-development, game, websocket, real-time, distributed-systems
game-server, socket-io, multiplayer, rpc, scalability, notifications, chat, game-development, game, websocket, real-time, distributed-systems