Nakama

Name: Nakama
Brand: Nakama

Open-source game server providing multiplayer, matchmaking, leaderboards, chat, and social features.

softwareGame Developmentgame backendmultiplayer serveropen source

What is Nakama?

Nakama, built by Heroic Labs, is an open-source game backend server that handles the infrastructure studios would otherwise build themselves: real-time multiplayer, matchmaking, leaderboards, in-game chat, and social features. Its server logic is customizable through JavaScript, Go, or Lua, and it has been used by studios including Electronic Arts, Paradox Interactive, Remedy, Zynga, and Bandai Namco. Teams can self-host Nakama for free using the open-source server, or run it on Heroic Cloud, a managed offering with usage-based pricing scaled by CPU allocation that removes DAU, MAU, and CCU limits. Client SDKs cover Unity, Unreal, Godot, JavaScript, and native mobile platforms, and the server requires a Postgres wire-compatible database such as CockroachDB.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

open source✅ Yes

api available✅ Yes

support optionsCommunity, documentation, dedicated support on Heroic Cloud

key integrationsUnity, Unreal Engine, Godot, CockroachDB

Key Features of Nakama

Real-time multiplayer support handles authoritative match state for competitive and social games.

A built-in matchmaker pairs players based on configurable skill and party criteria.

Leaderboard and tournament systems track scores and rankings without custom backend code.

Server-side logic can be extended in JavaScript, Go, or Lua for custom game rules and economies.

Client SDKs support Unity, Unreal, Godot, JavaScript, and native iOS and Android integration.

The open-source server can be self-hosted on any infrastructure, avoiding vendor lock-in.

Heroic Cloud offers managed hosting with automatic scaling and no per-user activity limits.

Use Cases for Nakama

Real-time multiplayer games

Studios use Nakama's authoritative match system for competitive online play.

Social and casual mobile games

Teams add friends lists, chat, and leaderboards without building backend infrastructure from scratch.

Live-ops economy systems

Custom server-side logic drives in-game economies, events, and progression.

Cross-platform play

A shared backend lets players on different platforms compete and interact together.

Pros & Cons of Nakama

Pros

Genuinely open-source with a self-hostable server, not just a hosted-only product
Broad client SDK coverage across major game engines and platforms
No DAU/MAU/CCU-based pricing limits on the managed Heroic Cloud offering
Proven at scale with adoption from major studios and publishers

Cons

Requires a Postgres wire-compatible database such as CockroachDB, adding infrastructure complexity for self-hosting
Heroic Cloud pricing is usage-based and not published as fixed public tiers
Custom server logic requires programming knowledge in Go, Lua, or JavaScript
Self-hosting requires ongoing operational and scaling responsibility

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nakama open source?

Yes, the Nakama server is open source and can be self-hosted for free.

What database does Nakama require?

Nakama requires CockroachDB or another Postgres wire-compatible database.

Which game engines have client SDKs?

Official client SDKs exist for Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot, JavaScript, and native mobile platforms.

How is Heroic Cloud priced?

Heroic Cloud is billed monthly based on Nakama and database CPU allocation rather than fixed per-user tiers.

Pricing Overview

View full pricing →

Freemium

Open Source

Free

Heroic Cloud

Usage-based

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