Patricia Berger: New Game+: Adding Backend Features to Your Godot Projects #GodotFest2025
Ready to unlock the next level of your Godot development? Just like New Game+ adds exciting features to enhance replay value, adding backend capabilities transforms your games from single-player experiences into connected, community-driven platforms. In this talk, we'll explore how to level up your Godot projects with robust backend features like real-time multiplayer, analytics, and social systems that keep players engaged and coming back for more. **Why unlock backend features?** Features like guilds, chat, challenges, real-time play, and analytics are the "New Game+" of modern game development—they transform good games into great experiences. This session will show you what's possible and how combining these features creates engaging, sticky player experiences. **Backend Architecture Draft:** I'll present a practical architecture blueprint that you can adapt for your games. See how different components work together and understand the reasoning behind key architectural decisions for game backends. **Backend Setup Overview:** Quick walkthrough of the pre-configured Node.js, Docker, and database setup provided in the repository. Learn what's included and how to get started quickly without spending hours on initial configuration. **APIs: Websockets vs REST:** Understand the differences, use-cases, and recommended packages for implementing real-time and traditional communication between your game and backend. **Integrating with Godot:** See practical examples of connecting your Godot game to backend services, including authentication, data sync, and real-time features through live demonstrations. **Best Practices:** Get tips on debugging, security, scalability, and common pitfalls to avoid when building and maintaining your backend. Patricia Berger https://pretalx.godotfest.com/godotfest-25/talk/L3A9UZ/ #godotfest2025 #Talk Licensed to the public under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Video Chapters
- 2:12 Why your game needs a backend
- 6:28 Understanding Requests vs. WebSockets
- 8:23 Godot's built-in networking tools
- 9:06 A basic backend architecture
- 11:14 Scaling your game with Containers (Docker)
- 16:21 Securing your backend & protecting player data
- 19:44 Choosing the right database (SQL vs. NoSQL)
- 21:34 Popular backend frameworks to consider
- 22:45 Essential Coding Patterns (Repository, Facade)
- 23:47 Where to host your backend
- 24:35 Feature Ideas: Leaderboards, Analytics & Chat
- 28:11 Q&A
Original Output
2:12 Why your game needs a backend 6:28 Understanding Requests vs. WebSockets 8:23 Godot's built-in networking tools 9:06 A basic backend architecture 11:14 Scaling your game with Containers (Docker) 16:21 Securing your backend & protecting player data 19:44 Choosing the right database (SQL vs. NoSQL) 21:34 Popular backend frameworks to consider 22:45 Essential Coding Patterns (Repository, Facade) 23:47 Where to host your backend 24:35 Feature Ideas: Leaderboards, Analytics & Chat 28:11 Q&A Timestamps by StampBot 🤖 (358-patricia-berger-new-game-adding-backend-features-to-your-god)
Unprocessed Timestamp Content
0:00 The video begins with the Godot Fest 2025 title slide. 0:15 Patricia Berger is introduced for her talk on adding backend features to Godot projects. 1:23 Patricia introduces herself as a Cloud Consultant specialized in Data Engineering. 2:12 Why a single player game might not be enough and the benefits of a backend. 3:02 The challenges and considerations of backend development, such as cost, scalability, and privacy. 4:41 Essential tools for backend development: IDEs, containerization, and database debuggers. 6:28 Understanding requests vs. sockets, with a focus on WebSockets for efficient messaging. 8:23 Godot's built-in support for HTTP requests and WebSockets is showcased with code examples. 9:06 A basic backend architecture including client, application, Redis for caching, and a database. 9:43 Scaling strategies for backend services: vertical scaling for more power, horizontal for more nodes. 11:14 The advantages of using containers like Docker and Kubernetes for consistent, scalable environments. 12:13 Practical advice on how to use Docker Compose and dev containers for local development. 16:21 Essential security considerations for backend development: key files, minimal open ports, and data privacy. 17:49 Discussing data privacy, specifically GDPR requirements, for handling personal data responsibly. 19:44 Choosing the right database for your game: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or the graph database ArangoDB. 20:01 Considerations for different database types like SQL (PostgreSQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB). 21:34 Popular backend frameworks worth exploring: Python (Flask, FastAPI), Node.js (Next, Nest, Express). 22:45 Common coding patterns for backend development: Repository Pattern, Facade, and MVC. 23:47 Options for hosting your backend: public clouds, Hetzner Cloud, or general VM hosters. 24:35 Feature ideas for leaderboards using Redis's ZRANGE for fast, sorted systems. 25:21 Game analytics feature ideas: tracking player progress, actions, and targets for game design insights. 27:03 Ingame chat implementation using WebSockets and RabbitMQ for efficient messaging. 27:17 Configuration management and translations: rolling out fast changes or runtime updates. 28:11 Q&A session with the audience. Timestamps by StampBot 🤖 (358-patricia-berger-new-game-adding-backend-features-to-your-god)