How to Create an Online Multiplayer Game Like Sonic (Battle Royale)

If you’ve ever dreamed of creating your own online multiplayer battle royale game like Sonic, you’re not alone. With the explosive popularity of battle royale titles, many indie developers and studios are looking to build their own versions with unique themes, mechanics, and branding. This guide will walk you through how to make a game like Sonic, focusing on scalable multiplayer features, dynamic game mechanics, and essential development tools. Whether you’re a solo developer or part of a small team, this breakdown will help you turn your vision into a playable battle royale game inspired by Sonic’s fast-paced action and thrilling last-man-standing gameplay.

Steps to Make a Game Like Sonic

1. Pre-production: Planning and Conceptualization

Before writing a single line of code, thoroughly plan your game’s concept and features.

Define Core Features

Battle Royale Gameplay:

  • 100-player free-for-all matches.
  • Players drop into a massive open-world map.
  • A shrinking play zone forces confrontations.
  • The last player or team standing wins.

Game Modes:

  • Solo, Duo, or Squad matches.
  • Optional limited-time or custom rulesets.

Weapons and Items:

  • A mix of firearms and melee weapons.
  • Health kits, armor, and power-ups.
  • Loot drops with randomized gear.

Graphics & Environment:

  • Large-scale maps with diverse terrain.
  • Day-night cycles and dynamic weather.
  • Vehicles to enhance mobility.

Online Multiplayer:

  • Real-time servers with low latency.
  • Matchmaking, lobbies, voice/text chat.

User Interface (UI):

  • Menus for inventory, settings, matchmaking.
  • In-game UI includes health, minimap, ammo, etc.

2. Game Development Tools & Tech Stack

Game Engine:

  • Unreal Engine – AAA-quality visuals and built-in multiplayer.
    Language: C++
    Multiplayer: Native replication and networking tools.
  • Unity – Lightweight and flexible.
    Language: C#
    Multiplayer: Photon, Mirror, or Unity Netcode.

Multiplayer Infrastructure:

  • Dedicated Servers for real-time interaction.
  • Cloud options: AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure.

Server Frameworks:

  • Photon Engine – Great for Unity and real-time multiplayer.
  • PlayFab – Backend for leaderboards, player data, matchmaking.
  • AWS GameLift – Auto-scaling servers, matchmaking, server health.

Networking & Matchmaking:

  • Real-time communication: WebSockets or UDP.
  • Use NAT punchthrough or relay servers.
  • Region or skill-based matchmaking logic.

3. Development Phases

Phase 1: Prototype

Build a simple version to validate your mechanics.

  • Small playable map or arena.
  • Basic player movement, shooting, health system.
  • Real-time multiplayer testing (server-client setup).
  • Minimal UI for gameplay (ammo, health bar, menu).

Phase 2: World Building & Assets

Create a more immersive game world for Sonic.

  • Map Design: Cities, forests, rivers, hills.
  • Terrain Tools: World Machine, Houdini, or procedural tools.
  • Structures: Lootable houses, hideouts, and zones.

Assets:

  • Characters, weapons, vehicles (3D models).
  • Ready-made from Unity Asset Store or Unreal Marketplace.
  • Animations for movement, combat, driving.

Vehicles:

  • Implement smooth controls and physics.
  • Add cars, bikes, boats, etc.

Phase 3: Core Gameplay Features

Refine and extend the game with core systems.

  • Weapon Systems:
    Variety of guns, reload systems, fire modes.
    Loot spawn system with randomized drops.
  • Shrinking Zone Mechanic:
    Dynamic zone that forces conflict.
    Apply damage to out-of-zone players.
  • Player Progression:
    XP, rank, unlockables, cosmetics.
    Leaderboards and player statistics.
  • Matchmaking & Server Logic:
    Match players into balanced lobbies.
    Host matches with scalable back-end.

Phase 4: Polish and Test

Optimization:

  • Optimize assets, lighting, and netcode.
  • Maintain performance across mobile/desktop.

Beta Testing:

  • Collect feedback from real players.
  • Tweak gameplay balance, fix bugs.

Multiplayer Stability:

  • Stress test large matches.
  • Fix latency and desync issues.

Phase 5: Deployment

Server Hosting:

  • Use cloud platforms for scaling.
  • Auto-scaling to adapt to player spikes.

Launch Strategy:

  • Publish on platforms like Steam, Epic Games, or mobile stores.
  • Integrate anti-cheat (e.g., BattlEye, Easy Anti-Cheat).

4. Challenges You’ll Face

  • Real-Time Networking:
    Maintaining smooth multiplayer sync is hard. Expect issues with lag and server load.
  • Scalability:
    A successful game like Sonic will need robust, scalable backend servers.
  • Game Balance:
    Carefully tune weapon stats, item rarity, and zone mechanics.
  • Visuals & Physics:
    Realistic graphics and vehicle physics can be demanding on both dev time and system resources.

5. Start Small: Use Game Templates and Assets

If you’re a solo dev or working on a tight budget:

  • Check the Unity Asset Store for battle royale starter kits.
  • Use Unreal Marketplace templates to skip boilerplate code.
  • Explore Godot, PlayCanvas, or Amazon Lumberyard for additional options.

Conclusion

Developing a game like Sonic requires a clear vision, solid planning, and an understanding of both gameplay design and technical execution. From building your prototype and designing your battle map to implementing matchmaking and real-time multiplayer servers, the journey can be complex but incredibly rewarding. By following this guide, you now have a roadmap to start creating your own Sonic-style battle royale game. Remember, great games aren’t built overnight—focus on small, achievable milestones and iterate based on player feedback. With dedication, your game could become the next big name in the multiplayer battle royale space.

If you’re serious about learning how to make a game like Sonic, bookmark this guide, explore the recommended tools, and don’t hesitate to reach out with development questions. The battle royale genre continues to grow—and there’s always room for the next innovative hit.

If you’re ready to build the next breakout game, start small, iterate quickly, and ask for help when needed. Game development is a marathon, not a sprint—and Sonic might just be your first big step into the world of online multiplayer games.