Game State Sync

Purpose

Client-server state reconciliation, delta compression, optimistic updates, and rollback for multiplayer games.

When to Use

Trigger: state sync, client-server, delta compression, optimistic updates, rollback, netcode, lag compensation, snapshot, interpolation, reconciliation

Prerequisites

• game-backend-architecture — server loop, tick system, authority model
• redis-game-patterns — pub/sub for cross-server state distribution

Core Principles

1. Server is authoritative — client predicts, server confirms or corrects. Never trust the client.
2. Delta compression — send only what changed, not full state. Reduces bandwidth by 80-95% in typical games.