Micro Project Report on

NETWORK GAME DEVELOPMENT USING UDP

Academic Year: 2024-25 Institute Code: 0563

Program: Information Technology Semester: FIFTH

Course: Advanced Computer Network Course Code: 22520

Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education, Mumbai

(Autonomous)(ISO-9001-2008) (ISO/IEC 27001:20013)
 Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education, Mumbai

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that,

Roll No Student Name Seat No Enroll No

55 THAKAR JAI MANISH 2205630247

In the Fifth Semester of Diploma in Information Technology, Department of Institute

Pravin Patil College of Diploma Engineering and Technology, Bhayander(E) (Code:
0563) has completed the Micro Project on Network Game Development using UDP
satisfactorily in the subject Advanced Computer Network (22520) for the academic year
2024–2025 as prescribed in the curriculum.

Place: Bhayander (E)

Date:

Subject Teacher Head of the department Principal

MR.DHIRAJ PATIL MR. NILESH VISPUTE MRS. R. B. PATIL
 PART A Annexure –I
Micro Project Proposal
NETWORK GAME DEVELOPMENT USING UDP

1.0 Brief Introduction:

Using UDP (User Datagram Protocol), Network Game Development focuses on creating
multiplayer games that communicate over a network using UDP as the transport layer. UDP is
preferred in gaming because it's faster than TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), providing low-
latency communication which is crucial for real-time multiplayer interactions. However, UDP is an
unreliable protocol, meaning it does not guarantee packet delivery, ordering, or error checking,
which makes it lightweight but also requires developers to handle issues like packet loss,
duplication, and order in their game code.

In UDP-based game development, the emphasis is often on speed and efficiency over reliability,
which is important for fast-paced games like first-person shooters, where small packet losses may
be less noticeable than the delays caused by TCP's error checking and retransmission. Developers
typically design mechanisms in their code to manage state synchronization, packet retransmission,
and error correction to compensate for UDP’s shortcomings.

2.0 Aim of the Micro-Project:

a. To understand the Concept of network game development.
b. To implement The Concept of UDP.
c. To Gather Information about Computer Networking.
 3.0 Action Plan
Name of
Sr. Planned Start Planned
Details of Activity Responsible
No Date Finish Date
Team Members

Discussion and finalization of

1
topic

Collection of Data & Literature

2
Review

Discussion on outline of
3 Content & Formulation of the
Content
Jai Thakar
Editing and proof Reading of
4
Content

5 Compilation of Report

6 Preparing Presentation

7 Viva

Final submission of Micro

8
Project

4.0 Resources Required

Sr. No Name of Resource/Material Specifications Qty. Remarks

Open Learning Sources Videos/ websites/ books,

1 engineering magazines 1 For information

2 MS Word MS Office 2010 1 For report purpose

 PART B
Micro Project Proposal
NETWORK GAME DEVELOPMENT USING UDP

1.0 Brief Introduction:

Network game development involves creating multiplayer games where players can interact in real
time over a network. The efficiency and speed of communication between players are crucial for
delivering a smooth gaming experience. Two primary protocols are commonly used for network
communication: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol). For
real-time games, UDP is often the preferred choice due to its low latency and faster transmission
speeds, despite its lack of certain reliability features found in TCP. UDP is a connectionless
protocol, meaning it doesn't require a formal connection to be established between the client and the
server before data is sent. This reduces overhead and allows faster data transmission, which is
essential for games where timing and real-time interaction are critical. In games, latency (the delay
between an action and its response) can significantly affect user experience. In a real-time
multiplayer game, even a slight delay can cause frustrating gameplay, especially in fast-paced
genres like first-person shooters, racing games, and sports simulations. UDP minimizes the time it
takes for packets to be sent and received, allowing real-time game updates like player movements,
collisions, and other interactions to occur almost instantaneously.

2.0 Aim of the Micro-Project

1. To understand the concept of network game development.

2. To implement the concept of UDP.
3. To gather information about computer networking.

3.0 Course Outcomes Integrated

a) Implement Transport Layer Protocol.

b) Configure IPv4 & IPv6 Network.
c) Choose Routing Protocol in the given network situation.
d) Implement different Transport Layer Protocols.
e) Implement different Data Link Layer Protocols.
4.0 Actual Procedure Followed
When working on a project individually, it's important to have a clear plan to stay
organized, maintain quality, and finish on time.

● Define the Project Scope and Objectives.

● Create the Project Schedule.
● Research and Information Gathering
● Analyze project quality and risks.

5.0 Resources Required

Name of
Sr. No Specifications Qty Remarks
Resource/Material

Open Learning Sources Videos/ websites/ books,

1 1 For information
engineering magazines

2 MS Word MS Office 2010 1 For report purpose

6.0 Skill Developed/Learning Out Of This Micro-Project:

1. Basic Knowledge.
2. Lifelong learning.
3. Individual teamwork.
4. Engineering tools.
7.0 Report of Micro project

UDP, as a connectionless and lightweight protocol, is favoured in network game development due
to its low-latency nature. In games, real-time interaction is critical, and even small delays (latency)
can affect gameplay significantly, particularly in fast-paced multiplayer games such as first-person
shooters or racing games.

Key Features of UDP:

• Low Overhead: UDP doesn’t establish a connection before sending data, which reduces the
time and resources needed for data transmission.
• No Acknowledgment: Unlike TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), UDP does not require
acknowledgement of received data, which makes it faster but less reliable.
• Packet Loss Tolerance: Games can often tolerate minor packet loss without major disruption to
gameplay (e.g., missing a few frames in player movement).
• Real-time Communication: UDP is ideal for real-time applications such as game state updates,
where the immediacy of data is more important than guaranteed delivery.
The OSI Model in UDP-based Game Development

The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a framework that describes how different
layers of a network interact to facilitate communication between devices. When developing
networked games using UDP, several layers of the OSI model are involved, but the most critical is
the Transport Layer (Layer 4), where UDP operates.

• Layer 1: Physical Layer: This layer handles the physical transmission of raw bits over a
communication medium (e.g., cables, fibre optics, wireless signals). While crucial for network
functionality, developers generally do not interact with this layer directly.

• Layer 2: Data Link Layer: Responsible for node-to-node data transfer and ensuring error-free
transmission between adjacent nodes. Protocols like Ethernet or Wi-Fi operate here.

• Layer 3: Network Layer: This layer is responsible for routing packets across networks, using
protocols such as IP (Internet Protocol). Both IPv4 and IPv6 operate at this layer, and they
determine how packets are forwarded from the sender to the recipient.

• Layer 4: Transport Layer: The most critical layer for UDP-based game development. Here,
UDP operates to manage the transmission of data between game clients and servers. The Transport
Layer is responsible for dividing messages into smaller segments (packets) and sending them
without requiring an established connection.

WHY Layer 4 is crucial?

In UDP-based game development, the Transport Layer directly impacts how quickly and reliably
game data is transmitted. It handles the transmission of crucial information such as player
positions, actions, and game state changes. Since UDP is a lightweight protocol, the Transport
Layer is streamlined to minimize latency, making it ideal for real-time multiplayer games.
 IP Protocols in Network Game Development: IPv4 vs IPv6
• IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4):
IPv4 is the most widely used version of the Internet Protocol for network communication. It is
characterized by a 32-bit addressing scheme that provides around 4.3 billion unique addresses.
Despite its popularity, the limited address space has led to the widespread use of Network Address
Translation (NAT) to extend the number of devices that can connect to the internet. IPv4 is still
dominant in gaming environments due to its established infrastructure and widespread
compatibility.

Advantages of IPv4:

• Extensive Support and Compatibility: IPv4 remains the dominant protocol in gaming networks
due to its widespread support. Most game servers, multiplayer platforms, and home networks are
built around IPv4.
• Well-established NAT Mechanisms: Although NAT can introduce complexities, such as limiting
peer-to-peer connections in games, IPv4 has well-developed solutions (e.g., port forwarding) to
address these issues.
• Proven Track Record: IPv4 has been the standard for decades, and the vast majority of online
games are optimized for IPv4 connectivity.
•

• IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6):

IPv6 was developed to address the limitations of IPv4, particularly its limited address space. With a
128-bit addressing system, IPv6 provides a virtually unlimited number of addresses (340
undecillion). IPv6 eliminates the need for NAT and can, in theory, simplify and speed up some
network operations. However, its adoption is still growing, and many gaming networks remain
primarily focused on IPv4.

Advantages of IPv6:

• Larger Address Space: IPv6 provides a vast address space, eliminating the need for NAT. Each
device can have a globally unique IP address, simplifying peer-to-peer connections.
• Improved Network Efficiency: IPv6 uses a simpler header structure, which can improve packet
processing efficiency. Additionally, it can handle multicast traffic more effectively, which is
beneficial for certain game functions like broadcasting updates to multiple players simultaneously.
• Future-Proofing: As the number of internet-connected devices continues to grow, adopting IPv6
prepares games for future networks where IPv4 might no longer be sufficient.
Comparison for Game Development:

IPv4 is still the most commonly used protocol for game servers and clients, mainly because of its
universal support and compatibility.

IPv6 offers potential benefits like simplified routing and better scalability for large networks, but
the gaming ecosystem has been slow to adopt it due to the high levels of IPv4-based infrastructure.

Compatibility: Most games and multiplayer platforms are designed to support both IPv4 and IPv6
to ensure they can function regardless of the player's network.

Use Cases in Game Development:

First-Person Shooters (FPS): Games like "Call of Duty" and "Counter-Strike" rely heavily on
fast, real-time player movement and actions, making UDP the go-to protocol for transmitting data
such as player positions and actions.

Racing Games: Games like "Mario Kart" or "Need for Speed" require real-time updates for player
positions, vehicle speeds, and racing conditions. UDP ensures these updates are delivered with
minimal latency.

Sports Games: Titles like "FIFA" or "NBA 2K" rely on instant feedback for player movements,
ball interactions, and other game state changes, which are efficiently handled using UDP.
Challenges with UDP :
• Unreliable Data Delivery: One of the biggest drawbacks of UDP is that it does not
guarantee packet delivery or order. Packets can be lost, delayed, or arrive out of
sequence, potentially causing issues such as rubber-banding or players seeing
different states of the game world.
• Packet Loss and Latency Spikes: In real-time games, packet loss or sudden spikes
in latency can result in players experiencing freezes, slowdowns, or inaccurate
representation of other players’ positions (e.g., a player appears to "teleport").
• No Congestion Control: UDP doesn’t handle network congestion in the way TCP
does, meaning that in congested networks, performance can degrade more quickly.
Developers need to implement their own congestion control mechanisms to ensure
the game remains playable even when network conditions worsen.

Mitigating UDP’s Limitations:

• Redundant Data Transmission: To combat packet loss, developers often send
critical data more than once. For example, player positions can be updated multiple
times per second to ensure that even if one packet is lost, another update will follow
soon after.
• State Synchronization: While UDP does not guarantee packet order, developers can
implement timestamp-based synchronization systems that ensure the game state
remains consistent, regardless of packet arrival order.
• Prediction Algorithms: Games often use client-side prediction, where the player’s
client predicts their own movements and actions to compensate for any packet loss or
latency. This creates the illusion of a smooth, uninterrupted gaming experience.
9.0 Conclusion

UDP is an essential protocol for developing real-time, networked games due to its low-latency,
connectionless communication model. Although UDP does not guarantee the delivery of packets
or their order, its speed and efficiency make it a good fit for fast-paced multiplayer games.
IPv4 continues to be the dominant protocol for gaming networks due to its widespread adoption
and compatibility. However, IPv6 is gaining traction, especially as the number of devices
connected to the internet grows. Developers should ensure their games can handle both IPv4 and
IPv6 to future-proof their platforms and ensure compatibility across various networks.

10.0 References

Ø https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Game_Development
Ø https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/UDP_Game_Development-
protocol#:~:Network_Game_Dev Protocol(UDP)%20is,LAN)%20that%20contains%20redun
dant%20paths
 Annexure -IV
Teacher Evaluation Sheet

Name of Student: THAKAR JAI MANISH Enrollment: 2205630247 Roll No: 55

Name of Program: Information Technology Semester: V
Course Title: Advanced Computer Network Code: 22520
Title of the project: NETWORK GAME DEVELOPMENT USING UDP

Course Outcomes Achieved:

a) Implement Network Layer Protocol.
b) Configure IPv4 & IPv6 Network.
c) Implement different Transport Layer Protocols.
d) Implement different Data-Link Layer Protocols.

Evaluation as per Suggested Rubric for Assessment of Micro-Project

Sr. Characteristic to be Assessed Poor Average Good Excellent

No (Marks (Marks 4- (Marks 6- (Marks SUB
1-3) 5) 8) 9-10) TOTAL

(A) Process and Product Assignment (convert above total marks out of 6 marks)

1 Relevance to the course

2 Literature Survey / Information

Collection

3 Completion of the Target as per

project proposal

4 Analysis of Data and Representation

5 Quality of Prototype/Model

6 Report Preparation

(B) Individual presentation/Viva ( Convert above total marks out of 4 marks)

7 Presentation

8 Viva

Process Assessment (Marks 6) Product Assessment (marks Total Marks(A&B) (Marks 10)
4)

Comments / Suggestions about team work/leadership / inter-personal communication (If any):

Name & Designation of the Faculty Member: Mr.Dhiraj Patil Signature: -------------------