Why use a server like Exit Game's Photon?

Question

I have done my research, but I am having a hard time understanding why someone would want to use these types of servers (Photon, SmartFox, etc.) for game programming, when they are already provided with things like the .Net framework.

It seems to escape my understanding as to the benefits of using one of these expensive servers over rolling your own. Isn't most of the work in coding the game networking going to be something you have to do either way?

I want to create a multiplayer Server/Client game, but I have heard from professionals here on StackOverflow that something like Photon is not worth paying for because he could "create something similar for his game in a day or two". My usage would be a game that is both singleplayer, multiplayer COOP (client to client), and possibly MMO if it sells well or I get kickstarter funding exclusively for the feature (Server/Client architecture). Although most likely, I will program the game like Valve does and have even singleplayer be a Server/Client architecture, with the "server" being on the client's offline system.

What are the benefits of using Photon, over making your own game server using C# .Net?

Answer 1

The best idea is to make your game servers ability to be cross-platform and cross-language, Which means use default types of most useful languages to code your game. I recommend you to code protocols for your client, and use bytes and bytearrays for the client. Most of languages can return bytes to your client. You don't really need to think about Photon or other web hosts, You can for start make a client and a server that sends bytes to clients. This allows you to go cross-platform and write your server softwares in any languages. Minecraft is currently using byte style servers, Which allows peoples to code their own server software easily on any language. While you have the base protocols for sending to clients, your client can be written in other languages easily after the release. Servers hold clients and their webclient on them, And send packets each time.