BACKND

Overview

BACKND is a backend API and SDK for developers building games that need multiplayer services. It is designed to help extend a single-player game with online features while providing backend services for accounts, game data, matchmaking, chat and persistent worlds. Its tools also cover operational tasks such as managing notices, events and player transactions.

AFI, Inc. makes BACKND and is based in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. The company says BACKND encrypts data, monitors for risks of customer-information leakage and holds TTA V&V quality certification. It is also identified as an AWS Official Partner, with availability through AWS Marketplace.

BACKND fits within the broader Game LiveOps Software category, though its core emphasis is game backend infrastructure rather than analytics alone.

Key features

Backend services and player accounts

BACKND Base combines authentication, cloud data storage, rankings, social functions, notices, events, coupons, push notifications and receipt verification. Authentication options include custom ID and password, guest login, and federated accounts through Google, Apple or Facebook. An admin console supports backend management.

BACKND Database handles both user-specific and shared game data. It includes access permissions, SQL-like queries, indexes, backups and downloads. Its FREE plan has 300 MB of read bandwidth, 100 MB of write bandwidth and 200 MB of storage; exceeding those allowances can restrict game usage.

Matchmaking, chat and persistent worlds

BACKND Match supports 1:1, individual and team matchmaking, along with result processing, reconnection and in-game chat. BACKND Chat adds real-time channels, auto-scaling, moderation tools, profanity filtering, user reports, sanctions and translation. Channel capacity can expand to 5,000 users, while concurrent users can scale to 100,000.

BACKND Worlds provides persistent game servers and real-time synchronization of world state for MMO and other multiplayer games. Unity is officially supported; games built with other engines can integrate by calling the server APIs directly.

Server code and commerce operations

With BACKND Function, developers can write server-side features in C# using Unity-style syntax. The product offers extensions for Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code, as well as a command-line interface.

The Webshop feature handles user authentication, item delivery, refunds and delivery history, with no additional integration or operating cost stated for the feature. Its page names Newplay and Xsolla as supported webshops; developers can submit requests to review other integrations. Refund Management supports Google Play, the App Store and ONE Store, using real-time store webhooks and automatic user blocking. It requires BACKND Base SDK integration and store webhook registration.

BACKND’s documentation lists Unity SDKs, an Unreal SDK, a Platform API and a .NET SDK across its products. The Chat SDK supports Android, iOS, Windows, Mac (Editor) and Linux, with documentation for Unity, Unreal and the Platform API.

Pricing

BACKND is freemium. The homepage says users can test all features for free, without stating a trial duration. Prices and allowances vary by product and plan, so the figures below describe the listed options rather than one universal package.

• Free: free, billed Free. Up to 50 CCU, 1 GB/month traffic, core chat features and translation.
• FREE Plan: free, billed Free. Unlimited users, up to 100K free transaction calls per feature/month and up to 25 projects.
• BASIC 100: $9 a month, billed USD 9/month. Up to 100 users per channel, essential chat features and 5 GB/month traffic.
• PRO 100: $19 a month, billed USD 19/month. Up to 100 users per channel, core chat features and Pro management features.
• PRO Translate 100: $28 a month, billed USD 28/month. Up to 100 users per channel, Pro features and translation.
• PRO: $29 a month, billed $29/month. 15 GB read bandwidth, 10 GB write bandwidth, 2 GB storage, 10 indexes and 100 tables.
• SCALE: $829 a month, billed $829/month. 300 GB read bandwidth, 150 GB write bandwidth, 20 GB storage, 10 indexes and 300 tables.
• Enterprise: Price not listed; billed Contact Sales. Includes a stable service environment and a dedicated server option.
• Basic: Price not listed; billed No monthly base fee. Includes FREE benefits, charges for usage beyond free limits and offers paid technical support.

Platforms

BACKND lists Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, Windows and API among its platforms. Unity and Unreal Engine are listed as supported game engines. Worlds officially supports Unity, with other engines able to connect through server API calls.

Who it's for

BACKND is aimed at game developers who need managed backend capabilities for multiplayer features, player accounts, shared or persistent data, and live operations. Its separate products let teams select specific services such as matchmaking, chat, server-side functions or persistent worlds. The free plans provide an entry point, while usage caps and the possibility of game restrictions beyond Database FREE limits make plan allowances important to check against a game's needs.

The company advertises 24/7 expert support covering AWS, game servers and web back-office, and lists contact hours as KST 10:00–18:00.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A broad collection of game backend services spans authentication, storage, matchmaking, chat, persistent worlds and commerce operations.
• Pros: Supports Unity and Unreal-related development, with API and .NET SDK documentation across products.
• Pros: Free options are listed, and the company says all features can be tested for free.
• Cons: Pricing is divided among several product-specific plans, and some options do not list a price.
• Cons: Database FREE has defined bandwidth and storage limits, and exceeding them can restrict game usage.
• Cons: Worlds officially supports Unity; other engines must integrate directly with server APIs.

Alternatives

Other products to consider include brainCloud, Metaplay, GameAnalytics, Hyperstone, AccelByte Gaming Services, PlayFab, Tenjin and Unity Version Control. The relevant choice depends on which backend, analytics, operations or development workflow capabilities a team needs.

Verdict

BACKND brings together many of the backend building blocks used in multiplayer games, from player identity and data to matchmaking, chat and persistent worlds. Its free options and range of services may suit teams seeking to add online functionality without building every backend component themselves. Before choosing a plan, developers should compare the product-specific limits and pricing, especially Database FREE allowances, chat capacity and the needs of any non-Unity Worlds integration.