Build a multiplayer game with React Three Fiber and Socket.io
Overview
In this tutorial, we'll explore how to add multiplayer networking features to a 3D game using React Three Fiber and Socket.io. Think of it as building a Sims-like or Animal Crossing-like experience, where multiple players can interact within the same virtual world.
This is the first episode in a seven-part series where we’ll build a multiplayer 3D game step by step. In this first episode, we’ll focus on setting up communication between a server and multiple clients, starting with basic character movement.
Multiplayer Networking in 3D Games
Imagine you’re working on a 3D game project where several players need to interact with each other in the same virtual space. You want players to move around, interact with objects, and see what others are doing in real-time. This is where Socket.io comes into play. It allows you to manage communication between the server and clients, enabling a smooth multiplayer experience.
Learning this tutorial will help if you're planning to add multiplayer features to a 3D game or a virtual environment, whether it’s a simple character interaction or a more complex online game.
Insights and Skills
In this first episode, you will:
-
Set up a basic multiplayer environment using React Three Fiber and Socket.io
-
Establish communication between a server and clients for player movement
-
Learn how to send messages from the server to one or multiple clients
-
Use useMemo for efficient position updates in the client
-
Integrate basic avatar models and animation triggers (wave, walk, idle)
-
Enable character movement with click-to-move functionality
Tech Stack
-
React Three Fiber
-
Socket.io
-
Jotai
-
Nodemon
Experience the project in action and explore the final implementation
Resources
#threejs #r3f #socketio
Need help with this tutorial? Join our Discord community!