DarkRift 2
DarkRift 2 is a free, open-source networking library for multiplayer experiences that need an authoritative server.
What DarkRift 2 is
DarkRift 2 is a free, open-source networking library for multiplayer experiences that need an authoritative server. It supports Unity and .NET in a client-server model, with servers that can run inside Unity or independently. Communication uses TCP and UDP with bi-channel support; the project says UDP overhead can be as low as 3 bytes. DarkRift 2 describes server clustering and says there is no concurrent-user limit. Built-in Prometheus metrics can connect to monitoring tools such as Grafana or Datadog, and the library also lists custom metrics, basic matchmaking, and a chat filter. Developers can substitute another low-level networking library for the Bichannel Network Listener. The project is now cared for by the community, and support is directed to its Discord. Building requires Visual Studio 2022 or newer. Most source files use MPL 2.0, while Unity scripts use MIT. Release 2.11.0 is marked as a pre-release, with remaining problems noted by the project.
Good
- Supports TCP and UDP bi-channel communication.
- Offers embedded Unity and standalone servers.
- Includes clustering and Prometheus metrics.
- Lists basic matchmaking and a chat filter.
- Free and open source, with no CCU limits.
Watch out
- Support is community driven.
- Building requires Visual Studio 2022 or newer.
- Release 2.11.0 is marked as a pre-release.
Who it suits
It suits developers building Unity or .NET multiplayer experiences that require an authoritative server and want client-server networking. Teams should be comfortable with community-driven support and the stated build requirement.
Verdict
DarkRift 2 offers server and networking options alongside metrics and matchmaking features for multiplayer projects. Its community-maintained status and pre-release designation are worth weighing before adoption.
Plans and prices
From DarkRift 2's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| DarkRift 2 | Free | Free and open source · no CCU limits |
The facts
Each one read from DarkRift 2's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Build requirement
- The project requires Visual Studio 2022 or newer to build because at least one Visual C# project fails in Visual Studio 2019 and earlier.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Extensibility
- Developers can replace the Bichannel Network Listener with another low-level networking library.checked 8 Oct 2001
- License
- Most source files use MPL 2.0, while Unity scripts use MIT.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Maintenance
- The README says Unordinal is no longer able to maintain the project and the community now cares for it.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Metrics
- Built-in Prometheus metrics can integrate with monitoring solutions such as Grafana or Datadog.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Other features
- The project lists basic matchmaking support, custom metrics, and a chat filter.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Performance
- The project says UDP overhead can be as low as 3 bytes.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- DarkRift is a multithreaded networking library for multiplayer experiences that need an authoritative server.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Release status
- The 2.11.0 release is marked pre-release, with the note that problems remain to be ironed out.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Scalability
- The project describes server clustering and says it has no concurrent-user limits.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Server modes
- It supports Unity embedded servers and standalone servers.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Support
- The project says support is entirely community driven and directs users to its community Discord.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Transport
- DarkRift 2 supports TCP and UDP with bi-channel communication.checked 8 Oct 2001
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