Environments

Configure and manage deployment environments

Learn how to use environments to safely test and deploy your game builds across different stages. 🌍


What are Environments?

Environments are isolated deployment stages that allow you to test builds before releasing them to all players.

Think of it as: Different "servers" or "channels" for your game, each serving a specific purpose in your deployment pipeline.


Default Environments

Every application comes with two pre-configured environments:

🔬 Development

Private testing environment for internal use only. Perfect for debugging and testing new features.

🚀 Production

Live environment accessible to all players. Stable, tested builds only.


Environment Details

🔬 Development Environment

Purpose: Internal testing and development

Characteristics:

  • 🔒 Private: Not accessible to end users

  • Fast: Upload and test immediately

  • 🔄 Flexible: Unlimited uploads and changes

  • 🐛 Debug: Test features before release

Use Cases:

  • Testing new game mechanics

  • Debugging crashes or bugs

  • Trying experimental features

  • Performance testing

  • Integration testing

Who Has Access?

  • ✅ You (application owner)

  • ✅ Team members with Developer role or higher

  • ❌ End users / players


🚀 Production Environment

Purpose: Live releases for all players

Characteristics:

  • 🌐 Public: Accessible to all launcher users

  • Stable: Only thoroughly tested builds

  • 📊 Monitored: Analytics and metrics tracked

  • 🔄 Auto-Update: Players automatically notified

Use Cases:

  • Stable game releases

  • Official updates

  • Hotfixes for critical issues

  • New content deployments

Who Has Access?

  • ✅ All players with your launcher

  • ✅ Team members (for management)


Creating Custom Environments

Need more control? Create custom environments for specific purposes.

Common Custom Environments

🎯 Staging Environment

Pre-production environment for final testing

Development → Staging → Production

Use For:

  • Final QA testing

  • User acceptance testing (UAT)

  • Performance testing at scale

  • Load testing

  • Client review

Access:

  • QA team

  • Beta testers

  • Stakeholders

🧪 Beta Environment

Early access for select players

Development → Beta → Production

Use For:

  • Beta testing program

  • Early access releases

  • Community feedback

  • Bug hunting

  • Feature testing

Access:

  • Beta testers

  • Community moderators

  • Early supporters

✅ QA Environment

Dedicated testing environment

Development → QA → Production

Use For:

  • Automated testing

  • Manual QA processes

  • Regression testing

  • Integration testing

Access:

  • QA team only

  • Automated test runners

🚨 Hotfix Environment

Emergency fixes

Hotfix → Production (skip staging)

Use For:

  • Critical bug fixes

  • Game-breaking issues

  • Security patches

Access:

  • Senior developers

  • Admins only


Environment Configuration

Steps:

  1. Navigate to Application

    • Go to your application

    • Click Settings tab

  2. Open Environments

    • Find Environments section

    • Click + Add Environment

  3. Configure Environment

    • Name: e.g., "Staging", "Beta", "QA"

    • Description: Purpose of this environment

    • Access Control: Public or Private

  4. Save Configuration

    • Click Create

    • Environment is ready to use


Environment Properties

Configuration Options

Property
Description
Options

Name

Environment identifier

Text (e.g., "Staging")

Description

Purpose and details

Text, supports markdown

Visibility

Who can access

Public / Private

Auto-Update

Notify launchers

Enabled / Disabled

Rollback

Allow version rollback

Enabled / Disabled


Access Control

Public Environment:

  • ✅ Visible to all players

  • ✅ Auto-update notifications sent

  • ✅ Analytics tracked

  • ✅ Listed in launcher

Private Environment:

  • ✅ Hidden from public

  • ✅ Access via invitation only

  • ✅ Manual update checks

  • ✅ Separate analytics


Environment Workflow

Promoting Builds Between Environments

Option 1: Manual Promotion

Steps:

  1. Test in Development

  2. Click Promote to [Environment]

  3. Select target environment

  4. Confirm promotion

  5. Build copied to new environment


Option 2: Re-upload to Each Environment

Upload the same build to each environment separately:

  1. Upload to Development → Test

  2. Upload to Staging → QA Test

  3. Upload to Production → Release

Flexibility: Choose the workflow that fits your team's process!


Environment Switching in Launcher

How Players Switch Environments

For public custom environments (like Beta), players can switch in the launcher:

Player Steps:

  1. Open launcher settings (⚙️)

  2. Find Environment dropdown

  3. Select desired environment

  4. Launcher downloads correct build


Best Practices

🏆 Professional Pipeline

1. Development → Internal testing, rapid iteration

2. Staging → QA testing, performance checks

3. Beta (optional) → Community testing, feedback

4. Production → Stable release to all players


🎯 Do's

  • ✅ Always test in Dev before Staging

  • ✅ Use Staging for final QA

  • ✅ Keep Production stable

  • ✅ Document environment purpose

  • ✅ Use clear naming conventions

  • ✅ Monitor each environment separately


❌ Don'ts

  • ❌ Skip testing in Dev

  • ❌ Upload untested builds to Production

  • ❌ Mix environment purposes

  • ❌ Give Production access to everyone

  • ❌ Forget to update environment docs

  • ❌ Create too many environments (keep it simple)


Troubleshooting

Problem: Build uploaded but not showing in environment

Solutions:

  • ✅ Verify correct environment selected

  • ✅ Set build as "Active"

  • ✅ Wait 1-2 minutes for propagation

  • ✅ Check environment visibility settings

  • ✅ Refresh launcher

Problem: Players can't switch to Beta/Staging

Solutions:

  • ✅ Ensure environment is set to "Public"

  • ✅ Verify builds exist in target environment

  • ✅ Check player has necessary permissions

  • ✅ Update launcher to latest version

Problem: Launcher downloads wrong environment build

Solutions:

  • ✅ Check launcher environment setting

  • ✅ Verify correct build is set as active

  • ✅ Clear launcher cache

  • ✅ Restart launcher completely


Environment Limits

By Subscription Plan

Plan
Environments per App

Free

2 (Dev + Prod)

Starter

10

Pro

10

Enterprise

Custom


Next Steps


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