Renet
Renet is a free, open-source Rust network library for server and client multiplayer games, aimed at fast-paced and competitive play.
What Renet is
Renet is a free, open-source Rust network library for server and client multiplayer games, aimed at fast-paced and competitive play. It uses a client-server model and provides reliable ordered, reliable unordered, and unreliable message channels. Packet fragmentation and reassembly are included. Authentication and encryption are available through renet_netcode, and the transport and authentication layer can be customized. The renet_steam crate adds Steam transport and authentication using steamworks-rs. For Bevy projects, bevy_renet supplies systems that update Renet clients and servers. An egui-based visualizer plots metrics from Renet clients and servers. The repository includes a chat demo showing client self-hosting, and its server example sets max_clients to 64. Renet is intended to offer an API that can fit different code bases. GitHub lists Apache-2.0 and MIT licenses; the MIT terms permit use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale under their conditions, while providing the software without warranty. Matchmaking is not supported.
Good
- Reliable ordered, unordered, and unreliable channels
- Handles packet fragmentation and reassembly
- Customizable transport and authentication layer
- Steam and Bevy integrations available
- Open-source Apache-2.0 and MIT licensing
Watch out
- Matchmaking is not supported
- Requires Rust development
- MIT license provides software without warranty
- Example server maximum is 64 clients
Who it suits
Renet suits Rust developers building client-server multiplayer games, especially projects using Bevy or Steam transport. It is also useful when different message-delivery guarantees and customizable authentication are needed.
Verdict
Renet supplies core networking, delivery choices, security hooks, and integrations for Rust multiplayer projects. Developers must provide matchmaking separately and choose suitable transport and authentication components for their game.
The facts
Each one read from Renet's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Authentication
- The README describes authentication and encryption through renet_netcode, and says the transport and authentication layer can be customized.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Authentication and encryption
- The README says authentication and encryption are provided through renet_netcode, and the transport and authentication layer can be customized.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Bevy
- The project links a Bevy plugin for using Renet with the Bevy engine.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Bevy integration
- The bevy_renet crate is a Bevy plugin that adds systems to update Renet clients and servers.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Example capacity
- The server example sets max_clients to 64.checked 4 Oct 2001
- License
- The GitHub repository lists Apache-2.0 and MIT licenses.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Licenses
- GitHub lists Apache-2.0 and MIT licenses for the repository.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Message delivery
- Its message channels support reliable ordered, reliable unordered, and unreliable delivery.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Messaging
- It supports reliable ordered, reliable unordered, and unreliable message channels.checked 4 Oct 2001
- MIT terms
- The MIT license grants permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, sublicense, and sell copies, subject to its terms, and provides the software as is without warranty.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Packet handling
- The library supports packet fragmentation and reassembly.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Product
- Renet is a Rust server/client networking library for multiplayer games, focused on fast-paced and competitive games.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Security detail
- The Bevy Renet README describes cryptographically secure authentication and encrypted packets.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Self hosting
- The repository includes a chat demo described as demonstrating client self hosting.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Usage
- The README says Renet aims for a simple API that can be integrated with any code base.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Visualization
- The project README points to renet_visualizer, an egui plugin for plotting metrics from Renet clients and servers.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Visualizer
- The project links an egui plugin that plots metrics data from Renet clients and servers.checked 4 Oct 2001
The company
- Maker
- The GitHub profile identifies Lucas Poffo as the creator and lists Brazil as their location.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Steam
- The README says renet_steam can be used for Steam transport and authentication.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Steam integration
- The renet_steam crate provides Steam transport and authentication using steamworks-rs.checked 9 Oct 2001
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