GGPO

GGPO

GGPO

Middleware preventing lag

GGPO (Good Game Peace Out) is middleware designed to help create a near-lagless online experience for various emulated arcade games and fighting games. The program was created by Tony Cannon, co-founder of fighting game community site Shoryuken and the popular Evolution Championship Series.

Quick Facts Developer(s), Final release ...

History

Before its creation, GGPO creator Tony Cannon was completely dissatisfied with the 2006 Xbox 360 re-release of Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting after experiencing its criticized online capabilities.[2] As a reaction to its service, Cannon began development on GGPO and released the first version in late 2006. Cannon later demonstrated GGPO to Capcom, and it was positively received.[3]

The downloadable GGPO client supported many games from Capcom and SNK, including Super Street Fighter II Turbo, The King of Fighters 2002, and Metal Slug X through the use of a built-in emulator. Video game companies have also implemented a licensed version of GGPO. Games using it include Skullgirls and Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition.[2][4]

On October 9, 2019, Cannon announced on his Twitter account that GGPO was now open source and available under the MIT License.[5]

Design

See also: Netcode § Input delay and rollback networking

GGPO uses a netcode technique called "rollback". Rather than waiting for input to be received from other players before simulating the next frame, GGPO predicts the inputs they will send and simulates the next frame without delay using that assumption. When other players’ inputs arrive, if any input didn't match the prediction, GGPO rolls back the state of the game to the last correct state, then replays all players’ revised inputs back until the current frame. The hope is that the predictions will be correct most of the time, allowing smooth play with minimal sudden changes to the game state.[6][7] The system in itself is highly similar to client-side prediction, but applied to a peer-to-peer setup.

The client program can allow players to manually adjust native input delay in high-ping situations, either creating a possibly-jerky yet accurate representation or a smoother game with input delay.

GGPO client

GGPO was originally bundled with a client which enabled users to play supported games online with other players. A matchmaking system allowed players to request challenges from other users, while non-participants could spectate the match and chat. Once a challenge initiated, the match ran a ROM through its prepackaged emulator, FinalBurn Alpha. This client was discontinued, and superseded by other clients which make use of GGPO's networking middleware, such as Fightcade or RedGGPO.

Games using GGPO

Games using rollback networking

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

See also

Notes

  1. Rollback netcode added after release via patch.
  2. Rollback netcode added via fan-made patch.

References

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    "ggpo/LICENSE at master · pond3r/ggpo". GitHub. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
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    Orland, Kyle (2011-04-22). "Interview: How A Fighting Game Fan Solved Internet Latency Issues". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 2011-04-25. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
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    Cannon, Tony (2008-08-29). "GGPO Networking Guru Talks SF HD Remix!". Capcom. Archived from the original on 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
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    Heart, Adam (6 June 2011). "Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online – 1st Trailer and Screens". Shoryuken. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2011. Street Fighter III Third Strike Online Edition will be using GGPO netcode ...
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    Cannon, Tony [@Pond3r] (October 9, 2019). "GGPO has a new home and is now available under the MIT License. Get it here!: https://t.co/7KXHGQ7OMN" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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    Miller, Patrick (12 September 2012). "The lag-fighting techniques behind GGPO's netcode". Gamasutra. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
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    "Capcom: Final Fight". Retrieved 2019-10-04. GGPO network technology creates a frame-accurate arcade experience across the internet, and with online voice chat and the ability to join games in progress, it's just like playing in the arcade.
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    佐伯憲司 (2010-11-25). "バンダイナムコ、AC「ドラゴンボール ZENKAIバトルロイヤル」". GAME Watch (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-10-04. ICカードによるプレイ履歴を参照することにより、プレーヤーレベルに応じたマッ1チングが行なわれるという（ICカード1枚で全キャラクター使用可能）。このあたりのシステムには、海外で評価の高いネットワークライブラリ「GGPO」が使われており、遠隔地同士のマッチングなどで起きがちなネットワーク遅延などにも対応できているという。
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    "新機能". CAPCOM：STREET FIGHTER III 3rd STRIKE ONLINE EDITION -Fight for the Future- (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-10-04. 最高のオンラインゲームプレイを提供するGGPOシステムを使用。
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    "Pocket Rumble". Retrieved 2019-10-04. Near-flawless online multiplayer with GGPO netcode
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