Imlight

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Game Server ​

The Game Server handles game sessions, world management, and player interactions within the Imlight network.

Game servers exist as child actors managed by the login server's GameServerPool. They register themselves with the login server upon startup and receive player connections through the login server's load balancing system.

Architecture Overview ​

Built on Imlight's actor model, each game server maintains several key child actors that handle different aspects of game functionality.

GameServer
GameWorld
Zone
Zone
Zone
CommandDispatcher
ProcessSupervisor
SessionActor
SocketListener
SocketSender
AccountService
WizardService
ZoneService
QuestService
CombatService
InventoryService
ChatService
AttachService
SessionActor

Game World ​

The GameWorld actor is the central coordinator for all zones and instances within a game server. Only one GameWorld actor exists per game server instance.

Zone Management ​

The GameWorld maintains two primary collections:

Public Zones

  • Shared zones accessible by all players
  • Created on-demand when first player requests access
  • Persistent until server shutdown
  • Stored in _zoneActors dictionary keyed by zone name

Private Instances

  • Player-owned zone instances (houses, dungeons)
  • Created per owner using InstanceContainer actors
  • Keyed by {zoneName}_{ownerCharId} format
  • Automatic cleanup when empty

Zone Transfer Process ​

When a player requests zone transfer via MSG_ZONETRANSFER:

  1. Zone Type Check: Determines if transfer is to public zone or private instance
  2. Zone Creation: Creates new zone actor if it doesn't exist
  3. Transfer Forwarding: Routes the transfer request to appropriate zone actor
  4. Instance Management: For private zones, creates or retrieves InstanceContainer

Instance Containers ​

Instance containers manage private zones:

  • Handle multiple related zones (multi-floor dungeons)
  • Track zone ownership via character ID
  • Provide isolation between different player groups
  • Enable content like player housing and private dungeon runs

World Queries ​

The GameWorld responds to administrative queries:

  • Zone Lists: Returns all active public zones and private instances
  • World Statistics: Provides zone count, instance count, and player distribution
  • Player Tracking: Coordinates player movement between zones

Session Key Authentication ​

Game servers use cryptographic session keys for secure player authentication:

Key Validation Process

  • Login server generates session keys during player transitions
  • Game server validates keys before accepting player connections
  • Keys have configurable expiration times to prevent replay attacks
  • Invalid keys result in connection rejection