Server

A "server" refers to:

• Server (real-life): computer or software which provides data or services to other devices ("clients"). This is referred to as a "server-client" relationship.
• Server (in-game): a digital hosted space where players can play together.

A "server shard" refers to an instanced or player-limited hosting space, allowing a certain number of players to play in the same space on the same server without increased performance issues.

Architecture

Soulbound operates on a unique server architecture that blends the benefits of single-shard and multi-server MMOs. In-game, these are referred to as "worlds," and all worlds are identical except for a few key differences:

• Physical hosting location - Servers are currently hosted in the US, with global servers rolling out soon.
• Server sharding - When more than 50 players enter the same location, the server shards into a new instance to maintain performance.
• Private servers for dungeons and combat - Entering a dungeon or combat environment will create a new, isolated server for you and your party.

Your progress is synchronized across all worlds, so you don’t need to worry about choosing a specific server.

Soulbound’s servers are designed to scale automatically. Each room or area in the game is hosted on its own isolated server, allowing us to support a large number of players simultaneously. If a server becomes full, a new shard of that area is created. Currently, there’s no way to switch between shards, but the team is actively developing this feature.

For combat, dungeons, or overworld fights, a dedicated server is created specifically for you and your party, ensuring smooth gameplay. Additionally, plans are in place to deploy servers in eight global data center locations to ensure ultra-low latency. This system aims to keep latency below 50ms for most players, enhancing the responsiveness of combat while maintaining a social environment in public areas where you can connect with players from all over the world.

Soulbound strives to provide the best of both worlds: seamless global connectivity in social hubs and cities, paired with low-latency, high-performance gameplay for combat and exploration.