Asobi

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What Asobi is

Asobi is an open-source multiplayer game backend built on Erlang/OTP for solo developers and small teams making indie 2D games. It includes authentication, matchmaking, real-time synchronization, leaderboards, a virtual economy, social features, cloud saves, and an admin dashboard. Developers can build ephemeral matches or persistent worlds with lazily loaded zones, and Lua match logic can be changed during a running match with the update applied on the next tick. Official client SDKs are listed for Unreal, Unity, Godot, Defold, TypeScript/JavaScript, Dart/Flutter, Lua, and LÖVE. Asobi also lists OpenTelemetry integration, structured logging, and telemetry events for matches, queues, and connections. The Apache 2.0 core can be run locally with Docker Compose or self-hosted as a Docker container. Asobi Cloud is invite-only while studios are onboarded; its pricing is flat per environment, with current plans available through the console. The project is single-node by design, pre-1.0, and not intended for twitch-latency AAA shooters.

Who it suits

Asobi is aimed at solo developers and small teams building indie 2D multiplayer games. Its self-hosted core may suit teams that want to run the backend themselves, while Cloud access currently requires an invitation.

What it does well

Includes authentication, matchmaking, and real-time sync
Lua match logic can update during a match
Supports persistent worlds and ephemeral matches
Apache 2.0 core can be self-hosted
SDKs cover several game engines and languages

What to know first

Designed as a single-node backend
Not intended for twitch-latency AAA shooters
Pre-1.0 status means APIs may change
Asobi Cloud is invite-only

Limits

The core is single-node by design, and the project is pre-1.0, so minor breaking API changes may occur before 1.0. Asobi Cloud is invite-only and uses flat per-environment pricing; current plans are shown through the console.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Asobi Cloud	Invite-only; flat per-environment pricing; contact via Discord for access	On request

As asobi.dev lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://asobi.dev/.
Choose the Apache 2.0 core for self-hosting or request Asobi Cloud access through Discord.
For local use, run the core with Docker Compose or self-host it as a Docker container.
Use an official client library for your platform.
For Cloud, ask on Discord for an environment to try before paying.

Verdict

Asobi provides a broad backend feature set for small-scale multiplayer game development, with both self-hosting and an invite-only cloud option. Its single-node design and pre-1.0 status are key constraints to consider.

Questions

Is Asobi open source?

Yes. Its core is Apache 2.0 licensed and can be self-hosted.

What does Asobi cost?

The core is free. Asobi Cloud uses flat per-environment pricing, with current plans available through the console.

Can I try Asobi Cloud before paying?

Yes. Prospective users can ask on Discord for an environment to try. Cloud access is invite-only.

Which game development platforms have official SDKs?

Official client libraries are listed for Unreal Engine, Unity, Godot, Defold, TypeScript/JavaScript, Dart/Flutter, Lua, and LÖVE.

What kinds of multiplayer games does it support?

It supports ephemeral matches and persistent worlds with lazy-loaded zones.

Who makes Asobi?

The site identifies Widgrens IT AB, based in Uppsala, Sweden, as the maker.

Facts from Asobi's own pages

Backend features: The backend includes authentication, matchmaking, real-time sync, leaderboards, virtual economy, social features, cloud saves, and an admin dashboard. · asobi.dev, 7 Oct 2026
Client SDKs: Official client libraries are listed for Unreal, Unity, Godot, Defold, TypeScript/JavaScript, Dart, and Lua. · asobi.dev, 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, 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, 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, 7 Oct 2026
Cloud tryout: The Cloud page says prospective users can ask on Discord for an environment to try before paying. · asobi.dev, 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, 7 Oct 2026
Game models: It supports ephemeral matches and persistent worlds, with matchmaking and lazy-loaded zones respectively. · asobi.dev, 7 Oct 2026
Game modes: It supports ephemeral matches and persistent worlds with lazy-loaded zones. · asobi.dev, 7 Oct 2026
Headquarters: Uppsala, Sweden · asobi.dev, 28 Sept 2026
Hot reload: Lua match logic can be updated while a match is running, with changes applied on the next tick. · asobi.dev, 7 Oct 2026
Integrations: Official client SDKs are listed for Unreal, Unity, Godot, Defold, TypeScript/JavaScript, Dart/Flutter, and Lua. · asobi.dev, 7 Oct 2026
Intended users: The repository describes Asobi as intended for solo developers and small teams building indie 2D multiplayer games. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
License and self-hosting: The core is Apache 2.0 licensed and can be self-hosted. · asobi.dev, 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, 7 Oct 2026
Maker: The site identifies the maker as Widgrens IT AB and lists an address in Uppsala, Sweden. · asobi.dev, 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, 7 Oct 2026
Observability: Asobi lists OpenTelemetry integration, structured logging, and Telemetry events for monitoring matches, queues, and connections. · asobi.dev, 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, 7 Oct 2026
Product: Asobi is an open-source multiplayer game backend built on Erlang/OTP. · asobi.dev, 7 Oct 2026
Runtime: Asobi describes per-process garbage collection, preemptive scheduling, OTP supervision, graceful shutdown, health endpoints, and rolling deploy support. · asobi.dev, 7 Oct 2026
Self-hosting: The project is Apache-2.0 licensed and can be run locally with Docker Compose or self-hosted as a Docker container. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Support: The maker invites users to ask questions and share projects in its Discord community. · asobi.dev, 7 Oct 2026
Trial: The Cloud page says prospective users can ask on Discord for an environment to try Cloud before paying. · asobi.dev, 7 Oct 2026

Where Asobi stands on Freedom251

Game Matchmaking Software#21 of 28