Nakama (US, Heroic Labs) is an open-source game server (Apache-2.0) that solves the social and backend layer of games: accounts, matchmaking, leaderboards, chat, guilds and custom logic in Lua, TypeScript or Go. It runs self-hosted (Docker/Kubernetes) or on the managed Heroic Cloud.
What it does
- Authenticate players (email, device, Facebook, Steam, Apple)
- Real-time matchmaking and rooms with server-authoritative logic
- Social: friends, groups/guilds, chat and leaderboards
- Extend with custom runtimes (Lua/TS/Go)
Products
The core is the Nakama server (open-source), with an admin console and client APIs for Unity, Unreal, Godot and native platforms. Heroic Labs completes the package with Heroic Cloud (managed hosting), Hiro (a meta-game framework) and Satori (LiveOps). The code lives on GitHub with an active community.
Public pricing
- The open-source server is free (Apache-2.0) — your cost is your own infrastructure
- Heroic Cloud: managed hosting plans via contact/public page
- Hiro/Satori: separate licensing, via contact
Strengths
- Full backend control with auditable open code
- Self-host on any provider — no data lock-in
- A complete social suite (chat, guilds, leaderboards) production-ready
Points of attention
- Self-hosting requires DevOps (scaling, backups, monitoring)
- Commercial license docs (Hiro/Satori) live behind contact
- Fewer ready-made LiveOps services than PlayFab