Photon Intergration: Room Codes

Room Codes allow players to create and join private multiplayer rooms using short, shareable codes.
This system is essential for VR fangames because it gives players a simple, reliable way to play with friends without relying on random matchmaking.

This page explains how Room Codes work, how Photon handles them, and how your game should generate, validate, and join rooms using custom codes.

1. What Room Codes Are

A Room Code is a short string (usually 4–6 characters) that uniquely identifies a Photon room.

Examples:

• ABCD

• TREE

• M0NK

• GHOST1

Players can:

• Create a room with a code

• Share the code with friends

• Join the room instantly

Room Codes make private lobbies simple and intuitive.

2. How Room Codes Work in Photon

Photon rooms have a built‑in property called Room Name.
Your Room Code is the room name.

Creating a room

You create a room using:

• RoomOptions

• A custom room name (the code)

Joining a room

Players join using:

• PhotonNetwork.JoinRoom(roomCode)

Photon handles the rest.

3. Generating Room Codes

Room Codes should be:

• Short

• Easy to read

• Easy to say out loud

• Avoid confusing characters (0/O, 1/I/L)

• Unique enough to avoid collisions

Common formats:

• 4 letters

• 5 letters

• 4 letters + 1 number

• 6‑character alphanumeric

Example generation rules:

• Only uppercase letters

• No vowels (to avoid accidental words)

• No similar‑looking characters

4. Creating a Room With a Code

When a player hosts a private room:

1. Generate a code

2. Use it as the Photon room name

3. Create the room with PhotonNetwork.CreateRoom(code)

4. Set room properties (map, mode, max players)

5. Spawn the host player

Photon automatically registers the room in the lobby.

5. Joining a Room With a Code

When a player enters a code:

1. Validate the code format

2. Attempt to join the room

3. If the room exists → join

4. If not → show “Room not found”

5. If full → show “Room is full”

6. If closed → show “Room is closed”

Photon handles the join logic internally.

6. Room Code Validation

Before joining, validate:

• Length

• Allowed characters

• No spaces

• No lowercase letters

• No invalid symbols

This prevents invalid join attempts.

7. Room Code Security

Room Codes are not meant to be secure.
They are meant to be easy.

For secure rooms:

• Use PlayFab authentication

• Use staff‑only flags

• Use room properties to restrict access

• Use CloudScript to validate staff permissions

Room Codes are simply identifiers, not passwords

8. Best Practices

• Keep codes short (4–6 characters)

• Avoid confusing characters

• Validate codes before joining

• Use uppercase only

• Show clear error messages

• Allow players to regenerate codes

• Use room properties to store metadata (map, mode, etc.)