Industry News
How to avoid network and server infrastructure issues during the development cycle
Mathieu Duperré, CEO, Edgegap
Regardless of whether you’re an indie developer or a AAA publisher, making games is never simple. Taking a game project from the initial concept to launch is a huge undertaking, especially when you begin incorporating multiplayer and social elements. Despite eye-watering budgets and huge teams of developers, countless games fall flat on release.
Thankfully, many of the common obstacles can be easily avoided and disruption to your release timeline kept to a minimum if you’re aware of the potential network and server infrastructure issues at key stages of development: the main development cycle, pre-launch, the launch period itself and once the game has launched.
Problems during the main development cycle
Some of the most common problems you’ll encounter on the tech side of the main development cycle can be the result of:
- Imperfect or hurried CI/CD pipelines. It can take days to push a new release for testing when you should be able to launch a few releases every day.
- Dev teams taking on too much in-house rather than seeking outside assistance (netcode, game engine, backend services).
- Trying to save funds through open-source projects that eventually become outdated, unsupported during your dev cycle or ends up in engineering money pits.
- Developers waiting until post-launch to focus on important elements such as crossplay.
- QA teams lacking constant access to the game build.
Any of these sound familiar? If so, it might be time to rethink your core strategy and whether you’re adhering to the DevOps methodology. Do you have a structured approach or are you lurching leftfield and drifting off course?
While developing your own netcode and game engine in-house can seem appealing, it’s important to consider the potential risks that might emerge further down the road. If problems with your netcode or a proprietary game engine present themselves at a particularly busy stage of development, you’ll wish you’d have outsourced them.
Considering where you can offload certain aspects of development to external partners can help reduce your team’s workload and improve their efficiency so they can focus on more pressing matters.
Mistakes to avoid just before the launch
One of the biggest mistakes you can make just before launch? Underestimating your CCU (concurrent users worldwide) and employing a low percentage buffer of around 10%. Misjudging your CCU is going to put too much strain on your servers and overall backend services and is one of the most common reasons players experience crashes around the launch. Similarly, don’t underestimate the number of regions you’ll need servers in too. A global game launch requires an equal distribution of worldwide servers to avoid latency issues.
When it comes to servers, it’s always best to plan ahead and scale back, rather than the other way around. Prioritise network partners who offer pay-as-you-go options for server access, so if you do need to scale back (or up) you can do so easily. This should always be the preferred option and will prevent you from being charged for servers you’re not using. It’s important to be aware of the risks associated with overestimating, as this can lead to studios signing long-term contracts and ultimately being overresourced.
Finally, one issue that can cause developers and studios a lot of trouble is data protection regulation laws. I’ve heard plenty of horror stories about studios turning a blind eye to privacy laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Make sure you’ve checked the specific rules regarding data collection in your region as early as possible to avoid a frantic rush of paperwork towards the end of development or, worse, incurring costly fines.
Obstacles on launch day
It can be easy to think that you’ve made it through the worst once you reach launch day, but this is usually the stage where major issues can suddenly appear. You may notice a bombardment of negative responses from Twitter, Steam and other platforms addressing critical issues with the game – make sure you address these rather than ignoring them. These responses can be important indicators of how the players are responding to your game and if you’ve factored their feedback in the development phase.
Once the game has launched, you will have the clearest indicator of how many servers you’ll need to support the players. This is where your planning will prove to be correct or wide of the mark if you’d reserved say 1000, but you only need 200.
A 24/7 support plan is an important consideration when the game is live, this will enable rapid fixes to negate as many disruptions as possible. A low-cost DDoS solution is also a crucial facet to bear in mind. A server orchestrator will help developers manage influx of traffic along with capturing crucial data that can be incorporated into the game as part of the observability phase.
Post-launch issues
Now that your game is in the world, there can be a strong temptation to introduce a plethora of new elements to the game to enhance the player experience. While on the face of it these are good ideas, new mods or minor updates can prove problematic and contain major bugs. Responding to these new issues can be distracting and take weeks or even months to solve.
On top of this, if you haven’t properly planned earlier in the process, major updates to your game servers could potentially lead to maintenance issues and significant downtime for your player base. If players have a bad experience on launch, they’ll likely just move on to the next best thing. When EA launched Battlefield 2042, server issues, loading times and game-breaking bugs plagued the game. Within months, player numbers dropped to fewer than 1,000 concurrent players on Steam.
Of course, there are a number of ways to circumvent these issues. It is crucial to choose a backend that can support multi-versioning A/B testing and facilitate rolling updates without outages. You’d be hard-pressed to find a gamer who enjoys an unplayable game. Automation can also help in the production pipeline, this includes deploying quick fix updates and upgrades which will reduce the human error factor.
Another consideration that is often overlooked is outsourcing for network and platform providers to remove a large in-house team dedicated to DevOps or Engineering. This is intensive work that will take up the time of staff, and outsourcing is a viable option and it makes perfect sense for smaller studios, especially to pursue this option purely from a cost-saving perspective.
Making edge count
Edge computing is often overlooked by game developers, but it can alleviate many of the issues described here, particularly around server provisioning and latency issues. Edge technology brings computation and data storage closer to the source of the data, placing it at the edge of the network where performance gain is most optimal. This reduces unnecessary travel and drastically speeds up the process resulting in close to a lag-free experience.
If you’re looking at cross-play for your game, infrastructure requirements become more complex. Edge computing helps to negate some of the most nagging delay issues that come with playing across different platforms. As cross-play becomes more of a consideration for developers, edge computing along with automation can come to be one of the solutions to some of the associated problems. Developers should consider the automation part of the equation when planning their game project. It becomes even more vital when you add more latency-reliant elements to a game.
Fail to plan, plan to fail
There is no one size fits all approach to game development or the challenges associated with it. But taking some of the steps outlined above can help negate potential issues and lessen their impact, preventing total derailment of a game before it even launches.
Small steps like putting your trust in external partners or looking at technologies like Edge computing to squeeze as much performance out of your game as possible might seem small, but their impact on development can’t be underestimated.
Planning for different eventualities at key stages of development will go a long way in ensuring your game is the best it can possibly be at launch. This will give your game the best chance at becoming a lasting hit, not a flash in the pan that’s marred by server issues or bugs.
The logistical side of creating a game might not always be glamorous or exciting, but it’s unavoidable. If your development pipeline is hit by server issues, you’ll be glad you planned ahead.
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EGT was established to quickly rise as one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of gaming equipment worldwide. Today, as the organization marks its 24th anniversary, its narrative can be expressed in years of development, in hours of output, in minutes of accuracy, and even in seconds of engineering brilliance. Let’s reflect on how it accomplished this success.
Throughout this time, the company developed and patented more than 700 products and manufactured over 200,000 gaming devices, which have been placed in many of the most prestigious venues globally.
Numerous advancements from the EGT collection, including the Egypt Quest and Bell Link jackpots as well as the cabinets from the Premier, General, and Supreme series, have established benchmarks within the industry, defining its standards and making EGT synonymous with unwavering quality.
EGT has established 3 factories where it produces its goods and meets orders for clients globally. The company has even taken an additional step, successfully completing its production cycle at 360 degrees, which enables it to supply nearly everything required for manufacturing its machines.
This comprehensive production system enables EGT to assess its efficiency not only over years of expansion but also in seconds, minutes, and hours on the manufacturing floor.
Thanks to this, in just 24 seconds, the machines in the company’s production lines cut over 40 meters of cable used in EGT’s products. At this speed, the height of Mount Everest could be reached in under 90 minutes.
In just 24 minutes, over 16,000 components used in EGT’s products pass through the production process. At this rate, a venue the size of Madison Square Garden could be filled in about 30 minutes.
In 24 hours, 420 slot cabinets come off EGT’s production lines. Placed side by side, they would stretch almost the length of three football fields.
Impressive figures, right? Yet they represent only a fraction of what EGT has achieved over the past 24 years.
EGT is continually expanding its presence, with its products now available in more than 100 markets across 5 continents. Over 4,500 staff members across 28 global offices guarantee that the business remains close to its clientele.
In the last 24 years, EGT has been involved in more than 300 exhibitions globally. It has grown its family by adding 2 subsidiaries – EGT Digital and EGT Steel Production, which have allowed it to enhance its product offerings and now provide an even broader array of solutions to its existing and prospective clients and partners.
Throughout this time, EGT has garnered more than 30 accolades, serving as clear evidence of its standing as a leader in the gaming sector both nationally and internationally, along with its recognition as one of the most reliable firms in the Bulgarian economy overall.
Furthermore, EGT belongs to various Bulgarian and international business and industry associations. It holds more than 10 certifications for its work quality and presently utilizes systems like SAP, supported by internationally acknowledged testing labs like GLI and BMM, ensuring that the company’s products comply with all industry standards.
None of these achievements could have been realized without the company’s most important resource – its staff. EGT has established and fostered a culture of assistance and motivation for its staff to realize their potential and advance their careers within the company. Consequently, in just the past 5 years, its staff have participated in more than 200 varied courses and training sessions to enhance their professional skills and qualifications.
Simultaneously, the organization ensures a healthy balance between professional and personal life by enacting various family-focused social policies and allowing individuals to engage in their interests. EGT fields sports teams in football and athletics that frequently engage in multiple tournaments and competitions, showcasing impressive performances.
The company’s artists have the opportunity to showcase their individual creations in a unique exhibition that EGT hosts each year, and in 2025, the display was open to the public for the first time.
Annually, EGT offers internship programs that allow numerous young individuals at the start of their careers to gain essential knowledge and skills, with some going on to work at the company and utilizing this knowledge in practical applications at EGT.
Consequently, the company takes pride in a substantial percentage of long-serving employees—20% of the workforce has more than a decade of experience with the organization, which is an outstanding accomplishment.
In addition to all this, EGT continues to be accountable to society. Throughout the years, the organization has participated in various charitable initiatives focused on safeguarding the environment and assisting vulnerable individuals and those in distress.
EGT also actively backs various initiatives to encourage responsible gaming, enhancing its reputation as a developer of cutting-edge gaming solutions that lead industry trends.
Vladimir Dokov, CEO of EGT, shared: “Inspired by all these milestones achieved over the past 24 years, we have set ourselves no less ambitious goals for 2026. Along with further modernizing our production facilities, entering new markets and strengthening our leadership on a global level, an equally important priority for us will be to continue contributing to the improvement of the educational and professional environment in the country. This way, we will be able to prove once again that we not only know how to do successful business, but also that we are a socially responsible company that contributes to the overall development of society. This is the true meaning of excellence for us.”
Happy 24th birthday, EGT. Here’s to many more years where every second counts.
The post 24 Years Strong: EGT’s Commitment to Excellence and Timeliness appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Coushatta Casino Resort has appointed Tanya Duhon as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). After serving as Interim CFO for the past seven months, Duhon has been named to the role on a permanent basis, overseeing all financial strategy and operations across the property.
During her interim tenure, Duhon led key financial initiatives, including collaboration with the Gaming Commission and the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), development of the 2026 budgets and cash flow management throughout Coushatta Casino Resort’s expansion. She also guided a large and growing finance team, reinforcing strong fiscal accountability during a period of significant growth.
“Tanya’s leadership, integrity and financial expertise have made a lasting impact on our organization. Her performance over the past several months made this a natural decision, and we are proud to officially name her as our Chief Financial Officer,” said Nate Tanner, General Manager of Coushatta Casino Resort.
A graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Duhon holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. With more than 20 years of service to Coushatta Casino Resort, she brings deep institutional knowledge and a steadfast commitment to the property’s continued success.
Duhon’s appointment reflects the confidence of the Coushatta Tribal Council and executive leadership as the property continues to grow as Louisiana’s premier gaming destination.
The post Coushatta Casino Resort Appoints Tanya Duhon as its CFO appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Industry News
Ex-Binance exec Ryan Horn joins Press Box PR as Growth and Business Development Advisor
Press Box PR, an award-winning digital PR agency specialising in betting, gaming, sport, consumer, retail, and hospitality, has announced the appointment of former Binance sports partnerships leader Ryan Horn as its new Growth and Business Development Advisor.
Horn will work closely with Press Box PR’s leadership team to drive strategic growth initiatives, advise on international opportunities, and support clients navigating the fast-evolving intersection of sport, payments, gaming, and emerging technologies.
With offices in London and Manchester, Press Box PR is renowned for securing earned media coverage across gambling, sports, consumer, finance, hospitality, and catering publications. The agency also helps brands increase visibility in AI-generated answers, citations, and large language model (LLM) recommendations. Press Box PR was named PR Agency of the Year at the 2026 European iGaming Awards.
Horn brings over 20 years of experience at the crossroads of global sport, commercial partnerships, and digital innovation. He has collaborated with major organisations including FIFA, UEFA, the International Olympic Committee, Formula 1, and the Rugby Football Union, helping connect global brands with some of the world’s largest sporting audiences.
He co-founded Brandtix, a sports data intelligence company that introduced a data-driven approach to sponsorship measurement, and later held senior roles in the global advertising sector, including Chief Business Development Officer at Euro RSCG, managing sponsorship strategy and campaigns for top-tier brands.
More recently, Horn led sports and digital asset partnerships at Binance, working with figures and organisations such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Mike Tyson, and Italian Serie A club Lazio, with a focus on the convergence of sport, digital payments, fan engagement platforms, and online gaming ecosystems.
In his role at Press Box PR, Horn will provide strategic insight on emerging areas shaping modern sports business, including AI-driven fan engagement, tokenised commerce platforms, global payments infrastructure, and the digital transformation of sport.
Alex Donohue, Founder and Managing Director of Press Box PR, said:
“Ryan has spent his career at the intersection of sport, technology, and commercial innovation. His experience and network will be hugely valuable as we expand internationally and support clients across sport, betting, and fintech.”
Horn added:
“The digital transformation of sport is creating entirely new commercial ecosystems. I’m excited to join Press Box PR and help clients navigate and communicate their role in this evolving landscape.”
The post Ex-Binance exec Ryan Horn joins Press Box PR as Growth and Business Development Advisor appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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