Security
Security in game development is not a standalone feature; it is a result of architectural decisions. I approach security as an integral part of system design, focusing on clear trust boundaries, authority, and predictable data flow.
Trust Boundaries
I treat the client as an untrusted environment. Client-side code is responsible for presentation and input collection, but never for authoritative decisions related to progression, economy, or competitive outcomes.
Clear trust boundaries reduce the attack surface and make security assumptions explicit rather than implicit.
Backend Authority
Backend services are the single source of truth for sensitive data such as player progression, inventory, matchmaking, and rewards. Validation and enforcement logic lives server-side, not in the client.
This approach prevents common exploits and ensures that client manipulation cannot directly affect game state or other players.
Economy & Progression Integrity
In games with progression systems or economies, I design flows that are deterministic and auditable. All critical state changes are validated and persisted through backend-controlled processes.
I avoid client-driven economy logic and ensure that reward calculation and progression updates can be monitored and adjusted without requiring client updates.
Multiplayer Abuse Prevention
Multiplayer systems require additional safeguards against cheating and abuse. I design multiplayer architectures with clear authority models, server-side validation, and limited trust in client-reported state.
This includes considerations for reconnection handling, state correction, and detection of anomalous behavior during live sessions.
Prototype vs Production Security
I explicitly differentiate between prototype and production security needs. Prototypes may tolerate shortcuts to validate gameplay quickly, but production systems require deliberate hardening.
Transitioning from prototype to production includes reviewing trust assumptions, removing debug paths, and ensuring that temporary shortcuts do not become permanent vulnerabilities.
Operational Awareness
Security also includes operational considerations such as configuration management, environment separation, and controlled access to backend services. I design systems that support monitoring and controlled change rather than opaque behavior.
The goal is not absolute security, but predictable behavior and rapid response when issues occur.