Edgegap vs Azure for Games
Azure for Games is a cloud-based gaming platform provided by Microsoft, and it focuses on the Azure infrastructure. This platform offers compatibility with Xbox, PC, and mobile devices such as iOS and Android. It supports multiple programming languages and provides customizable matchmaking services. However, its network topology and latency optimization are limited to Azure Regions and Zones.
On the other hand, Edgegap is a multi-cloud solution that leverages multiple providers worldwide, offering a more diverse network infrastructure. This ensures lower latency and better overall performance as it automatically configures edge locations for optimal latency. It also offers a built-in matchmaker optimized for latency and player preferences, simplifying the matchmaking process. The integration of Edgegap into game engines and existing workflows is more streamlined compared to Azure for Games, as it does not require a specific cloud setup.
In summary, while both Azure for Games and Edgegap provide multiplayer gaming infrastructure, Edgegap offers additional benefits in terms of multi-cloud support, automatic latency optimization, and a built-in matchmaker. This makes Edgegap a more versatile and potentially better-performing choice for game developers seeking a flexible and efficient multiplayer gaming platform.
Initial setup
Edgegap simplifies the initial setup process for multiplayer games by handling the underlying cloud infrastructure across multiple providers, including AWS, GCP, Azure, and over 16 additional providers worldwide. This approach allows for better global coverage and flexibility in terms of customization. Edgegap also includes its matchmaking service as part of the setup.
In contrast, Azure for Games requires a more complex initial setup, as developers must manage Azure resources and configurations. Customization options for performance and other aspects are limited to Azure services and resources. Matchmaking requires using Azure PlayFab or implementing a custom matchmaking solution. Global reach is limited to Azure Regions and Zones, and multi-cloud support is not built in.
Connectivity
Edgegap's connectivity for multiplayer games benefits from its global reach, utilizing multiple cloud providers and edge locations for better coverage. With Edgegap, developers can leverage the power of edge computing, which automatically selects servers based on latency to optimize player experience. Edgegap also manages load balancing, considering factors like latency and server performance to distribute traffic efficiently.
On the other hand, Azure for Games is limited in its global reach to Azure Regions and Zones. Its connectivity relies on region-based server selection, which may not offer the same level of latency optimization as edge computing. Load balancing within Azure for Games is managed by Azure and is based on server instances and regions.
Performance
Edgegap's performance for multiplayer games is enhanced by its use of edge computing, which automatically selects servers based on latency to optimize the player experience. This approach allows for improved network latency optimization compared to Azure for Games' region-based server selection. Additionally, Edgegap manages load balancing with an emphasis on latency and server performance, contributing to better overall performance.
Azure for Games relies on region-based server selection, which may not provide the same level of latency optimization as edge computing. Load balancing within Azure for Games is managed by Azure and is based on server instances and regions, which may not be as efficient as Edgegap's latency-optimized approach.
Edgegap also offers multi-cloud support, utilizing multiple cloud providers (including AWS, GCP, Azure, and 16+ others worldwide), which can lead to improved performance through optimized resource usage. In contrast, Azure for Games is limited to Azure services and resources, which could restrict performance options and customization.
Scalability
Edgegap offers seamless autoscaling with multiple cloud providers, which allows for greater scalability and flexibility. Multi-cloud support (including AWS, GCP, Azure, and 16+ other providers worldwide) helps Edgegap scale resources efficiently across different infrastructures. Edgegap also manages load balancing with a focus on latency and server performance, leading to better scalability.
Azure for Games provides autoscaling within its infrastructure, which may not be as flexible as Edgegap's multi-cloud approach. Scalability in Azure for Games is limited to the resources and services provided by Azure. Load balancing within Azure for Games is managed by Azure and is based on server instances and regions, which may not be as efficient as Edgegap's approach.
Edgegap offers better scalability through seamless auto-scaling across multiple cloud providers, efficient load balancing, and greater infrastructure flexibility. Azure for Games relies on autoscaling within its infrastructure and is limited to Azure services and resources.
Pricing
Edgegap's pricing model is usage-based, covering compute, storage, and data transfer costs. This model allows developers to pay for only the resources they consume. The infrastructure is designed to turn off server costs when not in use, optimizing cost efficiency. Edgegap's multi-cloud support and better global reach can also provide a more cost-effective solution by leveraging the best prices from multiple cloud providers.
Azure for Games follows a pay-as-you-go model based on usage, including compute, storage, data transfer, and additional services. Idle server costs are based on anticipated capacity, which may lead to higher costs if resources are underutilized. Azure for Games does not offer multi-cloud support and is limited to Azure Regions and Zones, which results in higher costs due to Azure's pricing structure.
In summary, Edgegap's pricing model is more cost-efficient due to its usage-based approach, infrastructure that minimizes idle server costs, and multi-cloud support that allows developers to leverage the best prices from multiple cloud providers. Azure for Games has a pay-as-you-go model that results in higher costs due to idle server expenses and limitations within the Azure infrastructure.
Switching from Azure for Games to Edgegap
Switching from Azure for Games to Edgegap should be a manageable process since both platforms provide multiplayer gaming infrastructure and support various game engines. However, you'll need to follow some specific steps and considerations during the migration process. Here's a general outline of the steps to switch from Azure for Games to Edgegap:
Analyze your current Azure for Games implementation: Understand the architecture, features, and services used within your Azure for Games setup. This will help you identify the necessary components to migrate to Edgegap.
Familiarize yourself with Edgegap's features and services: Review Edgegap's documentation and features, including matchmaking, edge computing, and multi-cloud support. This will help you determine how to map your current Azure for Games implementation to Edgegap's services.
Plan the migration: Create a detailed plan outlining the steps required to migrate your game from Azure for Games to Edgegap. This may include reconfiguring your game server logic, updating your matchmaking system to use Edgegap's matchmaker, and setting up the necessary integrations with Edgegap's API.
Migrate game server logic: Adapt your game server logic to work with Edgegap's infrastructure. This may involve modifying server-side code or implementing new game server features to take advantage of Edgegap's unique offerings.
Update matchmaking: Replace Azure for Games' matchmaking with Edgegap's matchmaker. Ensure that your game properly connects to Edgegap's matchmaking service and that the logic for creating and joining game sessions works as intended.
Test the migration: Thoroughly test your game after migrating to Edgegap, ensuring that all features and services are functioning correctly, and the performance meets your expectations.
Monitor and optimize: After successfully switching to Edgegap, monitor your game's performance and resource usage. Make any necessary optimizations to improve the gaming experience further.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Edgegap
Azure for Games
Leverages edge computing through the world's multi-cloud network for optimized latency and performance.
Azure is a cloud platform with more than 200 products and services across AI, enterprise, DevOps, SecOps, alongside Gaming.
Distributed edge computing deployments nearest to players to lower latency & improve multiplayer experience.
Managed game server service on Azure's cloud network.
Extensive global distribution with over 17+ providers with 615+ locations worldwide.
90 locaitons across Azure's Regions and Zones.
Pay-as-you-go by the minute, paying only for active use and traffic, with precise costs calculations.
Pay-as-you-go model.
Plugins for native support within the Unity & Unreal editor, and support for Godot, Cocos. Soon available for Bevy.
Deployable with major game engine supporting containerization.
Up to 14M CCCU with dynamic rapid-scaling of 40 deployments per seconds for 60 minutes sustained.
Autoscaling within Azure infrastructure.
Comprehensive documentation, dashboard, and 24/7 support for clients.
Detailed documentation, no direct support for integration.
"One click" plugins for major game engine (Unreal, Unity), alonside seamless SDK/API integration. Video tutorials for major engine, netcodes & more.
Requires cloud setup, integration with Azure services.
Optimized, low-latency network due to the world's largest edge computing network built by Edgegap.
Promise of "reduce latency for faster and more responsive gaming."
17+ providers, including public cloud and Bare Metal, for multi-cloud to ensure automatic rerounting of traffic for the ultimate resilience.
Centralized (Azure's Region) and edge (Azure's Zones)
