Ubisoft is leveraging hybrid Kubernetes clusters to manage its extensive server infrastructure, which supports popular games like Assassin's Creed and Rainbow Six Siege. By integrating public cloud resources with on-premises data centers, Ubisoft aims to optimize costs and improve server management for its gaming platforms. The company is currently developing its next-generation platform, Talos, which focuses on efficient game server orchestration and management.
Ubisoft, a leading video game company known for franchises like Assassin's Creed and Rainbow Six Siege, is tackling the challenge of managing a vast server infrastructure to support millions of online players. In a recent presentation, Luis and Vincent from Ubisoft's IT department discussed their innovative approach to server management using hybrid Kubernetes clusters.
With a large portfolio of games and a global player base, Ubisoft requires a robust server infrastructure. Initially, game servers were hosted on Windows physical machines located in data centers in Paris and Montreal. However, as the demand for online gaming grew, the company faced challenges in scaling its infrastructure to serve players in regions like Asia and South America.
To address these challenges, Ubisoft transitioned to virtual machines on public cloud platforms. While this provided greater reach, the costs associated with running virtual machines in the public cloud became prohibitive. To mitigate these costs, Ubisoft acquired i3d.net, a company specializing in game server hosting, and began to explore hybrid solutions.
Ubisoft's journey led them to adopt Kubernetes, a powerful container orchestration platform. The team decided to implement hybrid Kubernetes clusters that combine on-premises resources with public cloud capabilities. This approach allows for greater flexibility and cost efficiency while maintaining the ability to scale as needed.
Ubisoft is currently developing Talos, its next-generation platform designed to streamline game server management. The goal is to create a unified environment that integrates public cloud resources with on-premises infrastructure. Talos will support various use cases, including game server orchestration using Agones, a Kubernetes-native solution for managing game servers.
Game servers have unique requirements, such as maintaining player sessions and minimizing latency. Agones helps manage these servers by ensuring that player sessions remain active and are not interrupted. This is crucial for providing a seamless gaming experience.
As Ubisoft continues to develop its platform, the team has encountered several challenges:
Looking ahead, Ubisoft aims to enhance its platform with several key features:
Ubisoft's innovative approach to managing its server infrastructure through hybrid Kubernetes clusters exemplifies how technology can enhance the gaming experience. By integrating public cloud resources with on-premises capabilities, the company is well-positioned to support its extensive portfolio of games and meet the demands of a global player base. As the Talos platform continues to evolve, Ubisoft is set to redefine how game servers are managed in the industry.
