Asobi
Uppsala, Sweden
What it is
Asobi is an open-source multiplayer game backend from Widgrens IT AB, built on Erlang/OTP for solo developers and small teams making indie 2D games. It handles authentication, matchmaking, real-time synchronization, leaderboards, virtual economies, social features, cloud saves, and administration. Developers can run short-lived matches or persistent worlds with zones loaded as needed. Lua match logic can be changed during a running match, with updates applied on the next tick. Official SDK listings cover Unreal Engine, Unity, Godot, Defold, TypeScript/JavaScript, Dart/Flutter, Lua, and LÖVE. Monitoring options include OpenTelemetry, structured logging, and telemetry events for matches, queues, and connections. The Apache 2.0 core can run with Docker Compose or as a self-hosted container. Asobi Cloud uses Hetzner in Germany and EU-only subprocessors, but remains invite-only during onboarding. The project is pre-1.0, single-node by design, and not intended for twitch-latency AAA shooters. Cloud access and trial environments are requested through Discord.
For and against
For
- Open-source Apache 2.0 core
- Hot reload for Lua match logic
- Supports matches and persistent worlds
- Official SDKs across major engines
- Self-hosting and cloud deployment options
Against
- Pre-1.0 with possible breaking API changes
- Single-node design
- Cloud access is invite-only
- Not intended for twitch-latency AAA shooters
The verdict
Asobi combines common multiplayer backend services with engine SDKs, hot reload, and self-hosting. Its pre-1.0, single-node scope and invite-only cloud access are important constraints to weigh.
Who it suits
Asobi suits solo developers and small teams building indie 2D multiplayer games. It is also relevant to teams wanting self-hosting or an invite-only managed cloud option.
Plans and prices
Asobi Cloud
Invite-only; flat per-environment pricing; contact via Discord for access
Read 7 Oct 2026 · asobi.dev
On the record
- Backend features
- The backend includes authentication, matchmaking, real-time sync, leaderboards, virtual economy, social features, cloud saves, and an admin dashboard.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Client SDKs
- Official client libraries are listed for Unreal, Unity, Godot, Defold, TypeScript/JavaScript, Dart, and Lua.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Cloud availability
- Asobi Cloud is invite-only, with access requested through Discord; the site says broader signup is planned toward the end of 2026.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Cloud hosting
- Asobi Cloud is hosted on Hetzner in Germany, uses EU-only infrastructure sub-processors, and is invite-only while studios are onboarded.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Cloud pricing
- The Cloud page says pricing is flat per environment and directs visitors to the console for current plans; it does not state an amount on that page.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Cloud tryout
- The Cloud page says prospective users can ask on Discord for an environment to try before paying.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Data protection
- The Cloud page states that it provides per-player data export and deletion endpoints and a 72-hour breach notification clause.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Game models
- It supports ephemeral matches and persistent worlds, with matchmaking and lazy-loaded zones respectively.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Game modes
- It supports ephemeral matches and persistent worlds with lazy-loaded zones.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Hot reload
- Lua match logic can be updated while a match is running, with changes applied on the next tick.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Official client SDKs are listed for Unreal, Unity, Godot, Defold, TypeScript/JavaScript, Dart/Flutter, and Lua.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The repository describes Asobi as intended for solo developers and small teams building indie 2D multiplayer games.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- License and self-hosting
- The core is Apache 2.0 licensed and can be self-hosted.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Limitations
- The repository says Asobi is single-node by design, with node-local subsystems, and is not intended for twitch-latency AAA shooters.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The site identifies the maker as Widgrens IT AB and lists an address in Uppsala, Sweden.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Maturity
- The repository states that Asobi is pre-1.0 and may have minor breaking API changes before 1.0.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Observability
- Asobi lists OpenTelemetry integration, structured logging, and Telemetry events for monitoring matches, queues, and connections.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy and GDPR
- The Cloud page describes player data export and deletion endpoints, a 72-hour breach notification clause, and a DPA based on EU Standard Contractual Clauses.asobi.dev · read 7 Oct 2026
