EzNet

A robust networking solution for Godot 4 that handles object synchronization, ownership, and RPC management with minimal setup.

Built off of the networking solution we built in our Youtube Multiplayer Series!

🔧 Features

• 🔄 Automatic Synchronization

  • Sync variables with sync_ prefix
  • Transform updates for Node2D/Node3D
  • Delta compression (only sends changed data)

• ⏱️ Tick-Based System

  • Configurable tick rate (default: 30/sec)
  • Reliable/Unreliable transmission options
  • Dedicated network channels

• 👥 Player Management

  • Client-server architecture
  • Object ownership system
  • Player connection tracking

• 🛠️ Customization

  • Validatable spawn requests
  • Batch spawning
  • Extensible Networker base class

📦 Installation

Via Godot Asset Library

1. Open Godot Editor
2. Navigate to AssetLib tab
3. Search for "EzNet"
4. Click Install

Manual Installation

1. Download the latest release
2. Extract the addons/EzNet folder
3. Copy to your project's addons directory
4. Enable in Project Settings → Plugins

🚀 Quick Start

Full Quick Start Guide Move Cube

1. Add your NetworkManager

Autoload:

1. Project
2. Project Settings
3. Globals
4. Add Base_Network_Manager

Add to your scene root:

1. Add Base_Network_Manager to your scene

GDScript:

@onready var network_manager = preload("res://addons/EzNet/scenes/Base_Network_Manager.tscn")
add_child(network_manager.instantiate())

2. Create Network Object

extends NetworkObject

# Synced variables (auto-updated across network)
var sync_health := 100
var sync_position := Vector2.ZERO

func _ready():
    super() # Required for initialization

3. Start Networking

Host Server:

func host_game():
    network_manager._create_server()

Join Client:

func join_game(ip: String):
    network_manager.networker.ip = ip
    network_manager._connect_client()

📚 Core Concepts

NetWorkManager

The base class for the central controller that manages:

• Connections
• Object spawning
• Tick system
• Player data

NetworkObject

Base class for synchronized objects:

• Automatic variable syncing (sync_ prefix)
• Ownership management
• Lifecycle methods

Sync Vars

Any variable on a class that extends NetworkObject with the prefix sync_ will automatically syncronize:

@export var health := 100      # Will sync
var sync_score := 0            # Will sync
@export var local_data := {}   # Won't sync
var private_var = null         # Won't sync

🛠️ Usage Examples

Spawning Objects

# Client requests spawn
network_manager._request_spawn_helper(
    "res://player.tscn",
    {"position": Vector2(100,100), "team": "blue"}
)

# Server validates spawn
network_manager.validate_request_spawn_callable = func(args):
    return args.get("team") in ["red", "blue"]

Handling Ownership

# Request ownership (client)
func claim_ownership():
    if not _is_owner():
        _request_ownership.rpc_id(1)

# Server validation
network_manager.validate_ownership_change_callable = func(client_id):
    return client_id == legitimate_owner_id

💡 Tips & Tricks

Optimizing Sync Vars:

var sync_ammo: int
var sync_is_alive: bool

# Avoid - custom types
var sync_inventory : Inventory # Won't serialize over the network

Custom Networker:

extends Networker

func host():
    var peer = WebSocketMultiplayerPeer.new()
    peer.create_server(9000)
    return peer

❓ FAQ

Q: Why aren't my sync vars updating? A: Ensure:

1. The variable is in a class that extends NetworkObject
2. Variable starts with sync_
3. You called super() in _ready()

Q: How do I change tick rate? A: Set ticks_per_second in NetworkManager inspector

Q: Can I use WebSockets instead of ENet? A: Yes! Extend the Networker class (see examples)

🎮 Example Projects

Included in /example

1. Team Game - Red vs Blue with spawn zones and sync vars

🗺️ Development Roadmap

Upcoming Features

Feature	Status	Description
Targeted Spawns	Planned	Spawn objects only for specific clients (useful for player-specific items)
Level Management	In Progress	Automatic scene synchronization with client-side loading screens
Interpolators	Planned	Built-in transform interpolation for smoother network movement
Interest Management	Planned	Network rooms and proximity-based RPCs to optimize bandwidth

Future Goals

• More Example Projects:

  • Top-down shooter with lag compensation
  • MMO-style chunk loading demo
  • Real-time strategy game example
  • Voice chat integration example

• Quality of Life:

  • More pre-built networkers e.g. Websockets, Steam, Epic
  • Automated stress testing tools
  • Godot Editor plugins for setup
  • Unit testing
  • Fully documented wiki

Developers

Patrick Larsen

Tait Larsen

📜 License

MIT License - See LICENSE.md for details

💬 Support

Found a bug? Open an Issue Want to contribute? Submit a PR!