Pragma

Pragma 0.4.0 includes a suite of new features across matchmaking, order and fulfillment, portal customization, self-serve dashboards, and improved load testing capabilities. 

Pragma 0.4.0 available now

Chris Cobb Headshot 1

Pragma has been designed from the ground up to enable fast, end-to-end iteration loops for online multiplayer games.

Local Dev Environment: Limitless Iteration Speed

Our partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) has expanded so that we now provide an even faster turnkey on-ramp to connect users to multiplayer game sessions. 

The Amazon GameLift supported Pragma Plugin

Unlike “black box” backend offerings, Pragma provides an engine with complete source code access and local dev environments.

How we built Pragma for backend engineers

Instead of offering restrictive features and a take-it-or-leave-it approach that forces game teams to compromise on their vision, we built the first backend game engine.

What is a Backend Game Engine?

Shane Headshot

In release 0.0.101 we enhanced user management with our improved account ban feature.

Feature Highlight: Account Bans

patrick_headshot

Discover how scalable and customizable party features are built for a game's backend in Pragma Engine.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#wheres-the-party">Where’s the Party?</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#the-purpose-of-a-party-service">The Purpose of a Party Service</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#the-fundamentals-of-a-good-party">The Fundamentals of a Good Party</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#customization">Customization</a></li>
        <li><a href="#real-time-communication">Real-Time Communication</a></li>
        <li><a href="#security">Security</a></li>
        <li><a href="#matchmaking-persistent-parties">Matchmaking Persistent Parties</a></li>
        <li><a href="#cross-platform-capability">Cross-Platform Capability</a></li>
        <li><a href="#parties-that-can-scale">Parties That Can Scale</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#why-parties-matter">Why Parties Matter</a></li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Parties in the Platform: Enabling Backend Party Services

Learn why load testing is important, how we build a load testing client, and how we deploy a Pragma Engine platform shard.

Learn how we succesfully load tested for 1 million CCU in Pragma Engine.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#viewing-telemetry-and-metrics">Viewing telemetry and metrics</a></li>
    <li><a href="#initial-load-tests">Initial Load Tests</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#troubleshooting-deep-dive">Troubleshooting Deep Dive</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#deploying-the-platform-on-a-single-node">Deploying the platform on a single-node</a></li>
    <li><a href="#results-for-1-million-ccu">Results for 1 Million CCU</a></li>
    <li><a href="#load-testing-for-success">Load testing for success</a></li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Pragma Backend Load Testing Results: Achieving 1 Million CCU

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#our-load-testing-philosophy">Our Load Testing Philosophy</a></li>
    <li><a href="#load-testing-a-project-using-pragma-engine">Load testing a project using Pragma Engine</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#emulating-player-behavior">Emulating player behavior</a></li>
        <li><a href="#the-load-testing-client">The load testing client</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#deploying-the-platform-shards">Deploying the platform shards</a></li>
  </ul>
</nav>

The Pragma Standard: Load Testing a Backend for Launch

Learn the basics of how custom services work and how to create them in Pragma Engine.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#the-basics">The Basics</a></li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Introduction to Custom Services

Discover how to create custom services and impliment them in the PragmaSDK.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#construct-rpc-protobufs">Construct RPC protobufs</a>
      <ul>
        <li></li>
        <li><a href="#proto-creation">Proto Creation</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#generate-the-rpcs-for-unity-and-unreal">Generate the RPCs for Unity and Unreal</a></li>
    <li><a href="#build-the-custom-service-in-kotlin">Build the custom service in Kotlin</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#directory">Directory</a></li>
        <li><a href="#prerequisites">Prerequisites</a></li>
        <li><a href="#class">Class</a></li>
        <li><a href="#functions-and-logic">Functions and Logic</a></li>
        <li><a href="#writing-custom-services-with-scaling-in-mind">Writing custom services with scaling in mind</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#create-the-corresponding-structure-on-the-client-side">Create the corresponding structure on the client-side</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#registering-a-custom-service">Registering a custom service</a></li>
        <li><a href="#retrieving-a-custom-service">Retrieving a custom service</a></li>
        <li><a href="#utilizing-the-custom-service">Utilizing the custom service</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Creating a Custom Service

Learn how to model your custom service’s data storage implimentation in Pragma Engine.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#choosing-how-to-store-custom-service-data">Choosing how to store custom service data</a></li>
    <li><a href="#extending-a-dao-node-service">Extending a Dao Node service</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#building-a-custom-dao-node-service">Building a custom Dao Node service</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Using Database Storage for Custom Services

See how custom services can integrate into Pragma Engine's provided service workflow.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#utilize-plugins-for-custom-service-integration">Utilize plugins for custom service integration</a></li>
    <li><a href="#create-a-custom-plugin-for-calling-services">Create a custom plugin for calling services</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#dependent-jobs">Dependent Jobs</a></li>
        <li><a href="#service-to-service-rpcs">Service-to-Service RPCs</a></li>
        <li><a href="#configuring-the-plugin">Configuring the plugin</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Integrating Custom Services with Provided Services

Learn how to create and design your own content data using Pragma Engine's Content Data system.

Learn how to create your own content data in Pragma Engine by reading the second Content Data Series article.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#adding-content-to-pragma-engine">Adding Content to Pragma Engine</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#creating-the-protos">Creating the protos</a></li>
        <li><a href="#creating-the-json">Creating the JSON</a></li>
        <li><a href="#defining-content-handlers">Defining Content Handlers</a></li>
        <li><a href="#applying-and-validating-content-data-changes">Applying and validating content data changes</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#accessing-and-leveraging-content-data-with-plugins">Accessing and Leveraging Content Data with Plugins</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#enabling-content-access">Enabling content access</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</nav>

The Content Data System Part 2

Learn how to leverage your content data using Pragma Engine's Content Data system.

Overview what the Content Data system has to offer in Part 1 of the Content Data series.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#understanding-content-data">Understanding Content Data</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#provided-vs-custom-content">Provided vs Custom Content</a></li>
        <li><a href="#file-architecture-for-content">File Architecture for Content</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</nav>

The Content Data System Part 1

Create custom content using protobufs and define three unique instanced items using item catalogs.

Learn how to create custom content via instanced items in the first Instanced Items article.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#understanding-instanced-items">Understanding Instanced Items</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#before-we-commence-the-proto-and-item-building">Before we commence the proto and item building…</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#building-protos-for-instanced-items">Building Protos for Instanced Items</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#creating-the-proto-template">Creating the proto template</a></li>
        <li><a href="#creating-the-mold">Creating the mold</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#gearing-up-to-create-instanced-items">Gearing Up to Create Instanced Items</a>
      <ul>
        <li></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Creating Custom Content for Instanced Items

Create an InstancedItemPlugin and customize the newInstanced() function to build instanced items using unique, user-defined custom content.

Enable plugins to build unique instanced items in the second Instanced Items article.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#understanding-custom-plugins">Understanding Custom Plugins</a></li>
    <li><a href="#writing-a-custom-plugin">Writing a Custom Plugin</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#inputting-the-custom-plugins-imports">Inputting the custom plugin’s imports</a></li>
        <li><a href="#writing-the-custom-plugins-class">Writing the custom plugin’s class</a></li>
        <li><a href="#adding-the-plugins-two-required-functions">Adding the plugin’s two required functions</a></li>
        <li><a href="#modifying-the-plugins-newinstanced-item-function">Modifying the plugin’s <code>newInstanced()</code> item function</a></li>
        <li><a href="#creating-the-gear-builders">Creating the Gear builders</a></li>
        <li><a href="#making-ext-with-the-custom-plugin">Making ext with the custom plugin</a></li>
        <li><a href="#editing-the-config">Editing the config</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#testing-instanced-items-and-custom-plugins">Testing Instanced Items and Custom Plugins</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#simulating-service-calls-with-postman">Simulating service calls with Postman</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#appendix">Appendix</a></li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Building Unique Instanced Items with Plugins

Create an item upgrading system using the InstancedItemPlugin’s update() function and user-defined custom content.

Learn how to update already existing items in the third Instanced Items article.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#understanding-updates-with-instanced-items">Understanding Updates with Instanced Items</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#before-we-commence-the-proto-and-item-updating">Before we commence the proto and item updating…</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#creating-the-stackable-runestones">Creating the Stackable Runestones</a></li>
    <li><a href="#defining-update-entries-in-protos-and-json">Defining Update Entries in Protos and JSON</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#creating-the-custom-content-for-an-update-entry">Creating the custom content for an Update Entry.</a></li>
        <li><a href="#creating-the-updateentries-catalog">Creating the UpdateEntries catalog</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#modifying-the-instanceditemplugins-update-function">Modifying the InstancedItemPlugin’s update() function</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#the-update-functions-required-parameters">The <code>update()</code> function’s required parameters</a></li>
        <li><a href="#implementing-the-functions-result">Implementing the function’s result</a></li>
        <li><a href="#making-ext-with-the-custom-plugin">Making <code>ext</code> with the custom plugin</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#testing-our-item-upgrade-system-with-postman">Testing our item upgrade system with Postman</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#simulating-service-calls-with-postman">Simulating service calls with Postman</a></li>
        <li><a href="#granting-stackable-items-to-a-player">Granting stackable items to a player</a></li>
        <li><a href="#updating-instanced-items-with-new-ext-data">Updating instanced items with new <code>ext</code> data</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#appendix">Appendix</a></li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Upgrading Instanced Items

Create a stackable currency called “gold coins” and test stackable items by running simulated service calls.

Learn how to create stackable “gold coin” items in Pragma Engine.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#understanding-stackables">Understanding Stackables</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#before-we-begin-our-item-building-fun">Before we begin our item building fun…</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#making-a-stackable-item">Making a Stackable Item</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#register-content-changes">Register content changes</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#testing-the-stackable-item-with-service-calls">Testing the Stackable Item with Service Calls</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#simulate-service-calls-with-postman">Simulate service calls with Postman</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Creating Stackable Items

Leverage the store system to create a stackables crafting system that smelts ores into ingots.

In the third Stackable Items series article, utilize stores to create a unique crafting system in Pragma Engine.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#understanding-pragma-engines-customizability">Understanding Pragma Engine’s Customizability</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#building-our-smelters-foundation">Building our smelter’s foundation</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#creating-the-smelter">Creating the Smelter</a>
      <ul>
        <li></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#testing-the-crafting-system">Testing the Crafting System</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#simulating-service-calls-with-postman">Simulating service calls with Postman</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Creating a Crafting System Using Stores

Create an in-game store that buys and sells stackable items.

Learn how to create a store that buys and sells stackable items in the second Stackable Items series article.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#understanding-stores">Understanding Stores</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#lets-mine-for-some-ore">Let’s mine for some ore…</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#creating-a-store">Creating a Store</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#cataloging-the-stores-item-transaction-options">Cataloging the store’s item transaction options</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li><a href="#testing-the-store">Testing the Store</a>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#simulating-service-calls-with-postman">Simulating service calls with Postman</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Purchasing Stackable Items in a Store

Discover how Pragma's engine approach gives studios full control, customizability, and the confidence in their platform.

<nav id="TableOfContents">
  <ul>
    <li>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#the-engine-approach">The engine approach</a></li>
        <li><a href="#core-services">Core services</a></li>
        <li><a href="#game-economy">Game Economy</a></li>
        <li><a href="#api-based">API-based</a></li>
        <li><a href="#client-authoritative">Client authoritative</a></li>
        <li><a href="#use-cases">Use cases</a></li>
        <li><a href="#summary">Summary</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</nav>

Professional Services

CO-DEVELOPMENT

Backend Services Summit

Apply to Join the Online Services Guild!

Technology & Product Blog

Pragma

Pragma 0.4.0 available now