Network

The Network system provides a Paragon-level abstraction over Unity Netcode for GameObjects, adding service-based connection management, custom messaging, singleton network behaviours, and player identity. It wraps Unity.Netcode.NetworkManager with a higher-level API for connecting, session management, and network object spawning.

Architecture

Data Flow

Key Concepts

Concept	Description
NetworkManager	Singleton entry point for all networking. Wraps Unity's NetworkManager with session, messaging, and prefab handler APIs.
ConnectionData	Value type carrying user identity during connection. Auto-serializes to/from byte[] for Netcode's connection payload.
ParagonNetworkBehaviour	Abstract base for all network-aware MonoBehaviours. Adds debug registration and convenient ClientID access.
SingletonNetworkBehaviour	Generic singleton pattern for network behaviours. Auto-spawns its NetworkObject on Start().
NetworkPlayer	Immutable record linking a NetworkUser (identity) with a NetworkClient (connection).
NetworkObjectExtensions	Extension methods for UnityEngine.Object and NetworkObject to simplify spawning and per-object messaging.

Connection Lifecycle

1. Connect — NetworkManager.Connect() creates a service adapter and signs in anonymously, producing a NetworkUser.

2. ConnectionData — The user's identity is serialized into ConnectionData and set as the Netcode connection payload.

3. Session — QuickStart(), CreateSession(), or JoinSession() establishes a multiplayer session.

4. Spawning — InstantiateAndSpawn<T>() instantiates a prefab and immediately network-spawns it.

5. Disconnect — LeaveSession() exits the session; Disconnect() tears down the transport.

Quick Start

Connecting and Starting a Session

// Connect and auto-join or create a session
await NetworkManager.QuickStart();

// Or connect manually
await NetworkManager.Connect();

Spawning a Network Object

var enemy = NetworkManager.InstantiateAndSpawn(enemyPrefab, position, rotation);

Per-Object Messaging

// Subscribe on the receiver
networkObject.SubscribeToMessage<DamageMessage>(msg => ApplyDamage(msg));

// Send from anywhere
networkObject.SendMessage(new DamageMessage { amount = 10f });

Subsystems

Subsystem	Description
Session	Multiplayer session state, player tracking, connection approval, and synchronization
Messenger	Custom network messaging system
Factory	Network-aware scriptable factory integration
Player	Player identity types
Objects	Network behaviour base classes
Extensions	Extension methods for network objects
Editor	Custom Inspector tooling for network behaviours

Classes

Class	Description
NetworkManager	Singleton entry point for connection, sessions, spawning, and messaging
ConnectionData	Serializable struct carrying user identity for connection payloads
NetworkObjectExtensions	Extension methods for NetworkObject spawning and messaging
ParagonNetworkBehaviour	Abstract base class for all Paragon network behaviours
SingletonNetworkBehaviour	Generic singleton pattern for network behaviours
NetworkPlayer	Record linking user identity with network client
NetworkSession	Abstract base class for multiplayer session management
NetworkSessionInfo	Read-only struct carrying session metadata
ParagonNetworkBehaviourEditor	Odin-based custom Inspector for network behaviours