Custom domain for your game

A custom domain name is a unique branded name that identifies resource location of a game within the internet. Typically in the form “gameTitle.TLD”, for example “agar.io”.

Custom domain with a game presentation is standard for large-budget games. But, what if you develop a smaller game, does it worth to have a custom domain and website for the game?

Advantages of a custom domain

• Brand awareness - custom domain “coolgame.io” is much more memorable than a page on company or public website “gamewebsite.io/coolgame”
• Simple sharing, mentions on a social site are usually converted into a link automatically
• Unlimited freedom in the form of game presentation

Disadvantages of custom domain

• Domain and hosting fees
• Costs associated with creating, running and managing the site
• No domain authority at the start - very difficult to get good visibility on search without brand keyword

Regardless of advantages and disadvantages, the necessity of own web is given mainly requirements - if you need to present your game in detail, including development blog, signing to newsletters and other more advanced tracking, running your own website is necessary. However, in most cases you plan to release the game on few platforms, without additional detailed presentation and content, in such pages made on the platforms are usually sufficient, even when you run active campaigns at them.

Game powered by GameArter on a custom domain

Domain with a combination with GameArter is relevant only for web games. In all other cases the game is usually launchable right in a device or within a certain application.

GameArter has support for custom domains, anyway, this support is limited by used services in the game. By default, every game runs on dedicated GameArter's public, private or testnet url.

1. Through a proxy server

   A proxy server is a server application that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from servers that provide those resources. Practically, a user see a content of one url under a different url.

   Advantages of a proxy server

   • Very simple to set
   • The game is hosted and operated by GameArter = no costs

   Disadvantages of a proxy server

   • Slower connection with server
   • Not optimal for SEO
   • Some services does not work (login via social sites etc)
   • dependence on GameArter

   Result: Usable for simple casual games.

2. Via iframe placed on your site or minisite

   A game is placed on the web via an iframe / embed element. Iframe allows load content of one website into the body of another website.

   Advantages of iframe

   • Simple to use
   • Full control above appearance and presentation
   • The page may contain any other date, tracking links etc
   • The game is hosted and operated by GameArter = no costs
   • Some hostings allow free minisites for domain (= no cost for hosting)
   • Functional auto cross-games shared login

   Disadvantages of iframe

   • dependence on GameArter

   Result: Recommended way. Usable for any type of games.

3. Physical hosting

   Physical hosting is preferred way of many beginning developers. All files are physically located on developer’s hosting, available through developer’s website

   Advantages of own hosting

   • Full control above anything

   Disadvantages of own hosting

   • Requirements of additional approval for every service used in the game - login via social sites account, displaying ads, enabling IAP, filling privacy requirements and so on, it all must be processed for the domain.
   • Very expensive to operate if you need to deliver content quickly worldwide and have the option of simple scalability.

   Result: Not recommended.