Simpl runs your game’s servers for you. You upload your server, and Simpl starts copies of it when your players need one. Players connect to it and play. Each server is billed only while it runs. A dedicated server is a copy of your game that runs with no screen, only to host a match. Players’ games connect to it over the internet.

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The five things you work with

Project

One project per game. Everything else belongs to a project.

Build

Your server, uploaded as a ZIP file or a Docker image. Each build has a name, such as 0.1.0.

Server

One running copy of a build. Players connect to it.

Lobby

A group of players waiting together before a match.

Queue

Matchmaking rules. A queue puts lobbies together and starts a server for them.

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Keys

Each project has two keys. You see each key once, when it is made, so save both.
  • The server key starts with sk_live_. Keep it secret. Use it only on your own computer or your own backend, never inside your game.
  • The client key starts with ck_live_. It is safe to put in your game. But anyone who has it can pretend to be any player, so don’t use it for anything secret.

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Two ways to start a server

  • Start it yourself, from the dashboard or with one API call. Good for testing a build or for a private match.
  • Let matchmaking start it. Players join lobbies, the lobby host enters a queue, and Simpl starts a server when enough players are found. This needs the Pro plan.

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Where to go next

Quickstart

Start your first server.

Setting Up Matchmaking

Group players and start servers for them.

API Reference

Every endpoint, for when you call the API yourself.

Dashboard

Manage projects, builds and keys.