UnitySyncAPI

A lightweight prototype of a Unity3D networking system using a PHP API and database for client-side data synchronization.

This project is an experimental prototype created over 3-4 days to explore simple networking concepts for multiplayer games. It is not a production-ready solution, may contain bugs, and is not the most optimized approach to real-time data synchronization.

Overview

The system consists of three main parts:

1. Unity3D Client – a prototype game that communicates with a PHP backend through an API.
   • Includes classes responsible for synchronizing data between clients via the server.
   • Each client sends its own state to the API, and other clients update their data accordingly.
   • The logic is fully client-sided, intended only as a conceptual test.
   • A lobby system, players can create new lobbies, which are assigned a unique join code.
   • A lobby browser is available, allowing users to search for and join existing lobbies using their unique codes.
2. API – provides endpoints for managing player data, game sessions, and synchronization.
3. Server Manager – a background script intended to run on the server.
   • Periodically checks for inactive servers or players who stopped sending heartbeats.
   • Cleans up or resets empty sessions automatically.

Features

• Basic client–server synchronization using HTTP requests
• Simple player state management via PHP API
• Prototype server manager for heartbeat monitoring
• Unity-side classes for sending and receiving synchronization data
• PHP + MySQL (MariaDB) backend
• Built-in lobby search and join system
• Each lobby identified by a unique code
• Support for player nicknames, synchronized across clients

Notes

This is a prototype – built for testing ideas, not for production use. Certain features required for a complete multiplayer game (e.g. authentication, security, authoritative server logic) are not implemented. The project may contain inefficient or temporary solutions, as the goal was to create a working proof of concept in a short time.

Screenshots

Technologies Used

• Unity3D (C#)
• PHP 8+
• MySQL / MariaDB
• HTTP-based client-server communication