Apache with Comet Support

Question

I\'d like to build a multiplayer web game application in which it supports chat. I presume the application will have to handle hundreds of simultaneous connections.

Answer 1

When you have a shared hosting environment and there are a number of restrictions enforced then it's a good idea to outsource the realtime functionality. I would say this since I work for one such company, Pusher. But I hope others will back me up on this.

When using a hosted solution you can push a notification by making a HTTP request to a RESTful API. The service will then deliver the message to the connected Web Client (browser). The browser does need to include a script tag or use a library that also connects to the hosted service.

The main benefits are:

• No installation or maintenance
• No need to handle persistent connections - no resource usage
• Really simple usage: Script tag in app and call REST API
• The hosted solution handles scaling

Also, here's a list of hosted realtime solutions.

Answer 2

So you can use Python. Then you can use Tornado. (psst... facebook uses it)

And I had same problem with open connections. Just don't spend time for search solution in PHP - later you will be sorry. I was. Just use what is made for Comet. If you more prefere JAVA, then there is: CometD.

And for game get a normal hosting. They cheap this days.