Photon Server

Spec sheet

Purpose

Photon Server is an on-premises real-time socket server and cross-platform multiplayer game development framework for connecting players and exchanging data in shared game sessions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doc.photonengine.com

Intended users

Photon describes Server as an on-premises option for teams that want to host and configure their own multiplayer backend on machines they choose.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doc.photonengine.com

Integrations

The SDK's LoadBalancing (MyCloud) application is compatible with Photon Cloud and is the recommended setup for clients using PUN, Photon Voice, or Photon Realtime.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doc.photonengine.com

Security

Secure WebSocket connections can be configured with TLS certificates, with the documentation recommending certificates signed by a trusted certificate authority for production.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doc.photonengine.com

Support

Photon provides a public Discord community, general email contact, and a support form available after logging in.Read 7 Oct 2026 · photonengine.com

Headquarters

Hamburg, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · photonengine.com

Founded

2003Read 28 Sep 2026 · photonengine.com

Company

Exit Games was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany.Read 7 Oct 2026 · blog.photonengine.com

Authentication

The documentation lists custom authentication and providers including Epic EOS, Facebook, Oculus, Steam, and VIVEPORT.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doc.photonengine.com

Custom backend

The server applications provide frameworks for building and running a multiplayer game backend, with C# source code that can be used as provided or customized.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doc.photonengine.com

Development framework

Its C# server framework maps RPC calls to operation instances and uses message passing through fibers to handle threading tasks.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doc.photonengine.com

Development tools

Photon Server can be debugged in Visual Studio and the documentation also lists Redgate and JetBrains development tools.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doc.photonengine.com

License limits

The license terms restrict use to the agreed server count and CCU per server, and limit each server license to one application.Read 7 Oct 2026 · photonengine.com

License requirement

Photon Server requires a valid license to run, and the comparison page says licenses can be bought by Industries Circle members only.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doc.photonengine.com

Persistence limitation

Photon Server does not provide a persistence layer, though the documentation lists SQL and NoSQL databases usable through .NET on Windows.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doc.photonengine.com

Protocols

The core supports reliable UDP, binary TCP, WebSockets, and secure WebSockets.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doc.photonengine.com

Plans and prices

Every Photon Server plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Game Networking Middleware#25 of 297.1