Networking and Multiplayer Scripting — Garry's Mod Guide

For Garry's Mod to function effectively in a multiplayer environment, robust networking and multiplayer scripting are essential. These elements ensure that game states, player actions, and custom content are synchronized across all connected clients and the server. Without proper networking, players would experience desynchronization, lag, and inconsistencies, severely hindering the multiplayer experience. Understanding these concepts is vital for anyone developing multiplayer gamemodes or complex addons that need to function seamlessly online.

Garry's Mod utilizes a client-server model for multiplayer. The server acts as the authoritative source for game logic and state, while clients receive updates and send their actions to the server. Lua scripting plays a critical role in managing this communication. Developers need to be mindful of what data is sent between the server and clients, ensuring that critical information is handled by the server and that client-side scripts only affect the local player or are properly synchronized. This involves using specific Lua functions and hooks desed for network communication.

Key concepts in Garry's Mod networking and multiplayer scripting:

Server Authority: The server is the ultimate authority on game state, preventing cheating and ensuring consistency.
Networked Entities: Entities that need to be visible and interactive for all players must be "networked."
Networked Variables: Variables that need to be synchronized across clients must be declared as networked.
Network Messages: Custom messages can be sent between the server and clients to communicate specific data or events.
Hooks: Garry's Mod provides various hooks that trigger specific Lua functions when certain network events occur (e.g., player connection, entity creation).
Client-Side Prediction: For smoother gameplay, certain actions might be predicted on the client before server confirmation.

Examples of addons that heavily rely on networking include custom vehicles, complex gamemodes like DarkRP, and any addon that involves synchronized player actions or custom entities. For instance, a custom drivable vehicle addon, like the "Borderlands 2 Drivable Bandit Technical," needs to ensure that the vehicle's position, rotation, and state are accurately synchronized for all players. Similarly, a gamemode that involves player-vs-player combat requires precise networking to ensure that hits register correctly and that player positions are up-to-date. The Garry's Mod Wiki offers extensive documentation on networking functions and best practices for multiplayer development.