Backend Integration

Overview

Integration strategies for cloud backends. Focuses on PlayFab and Firebase for authentication, cloud data storage, leaderboards, and server-side logic (Cloud Script).

When to Use

•Use for user accounts (Login/Register)
•Use for cross-device save games
•Use for global leaderboards
•Use for virtual currency and economy
•Use for live events and news

Common Services

Feature	PlayFab	Firebase
Auth	LoginWithCustomID	Auth.SignIn
Database	PlayerData (KV)	Firestore / Realtime DB
Functions	Azure Functions	Cloud Functions
Storage	CDN / Content	Storage Buckets

Architecture

code

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    BACKEND ARCHITECTURE                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                             │
│  CLIENT (UNITY)           API GATEWAY (REST)                │
│  ┌──────────────┐        ┌──────────────────┐               │
│  │ Auth Token   │───────▶│ Validate Token   │               │
│  │ Request Data │        │ Route Request    │               │
│  └──────────────┘        └────────┬─────────┘               │
│                                   │                         │
│                                   ▼                         │
│                         ┌───────────────────┐               │
│                         │ SERVERLESS LOGIC  │               │
│                         │ (Validate Rules)  │               │
│                         └─────────┬─────────┘               │
│                                   │                         │
│                                   ▼                         │
│                         ┌───────────────────┐               │
│                         │     DATABASE      │               │
│                         │   (Persistence)   │               │
│                         └───────────────────┘               │
│                                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Best Practices

•✅ Authenticate silently (Auto-login) first
•✅ Use Cloud Script for sensitive logic (Currency, XP)
•✅ Cache data locally to avoid API throttling
•✅ Handle "No Internet" states gracefully
•✅ Secure API keys (don't commit to Git)
•❌ NEVER trust the client with economy changes
•❌ NEVER store passwords in plain text
•❌ NEVER block the main thread with API calls

Few-Shot Examples

Example 1: PlayFab Login

User: "Login player silently."

Agent:

csharp

public void Login()
{
    var request = new LoginWithCustomIDRequest
    {
        CustomId = SystemInfo.deviceUniqueIdentifier,
        CreateAccount = true
    };
    
    PlayFabClientAPI.LoginWithCustomID(request, 
        result => Debug.Log("Login Success"), 
        error => Debug.LogError(error.GenerateErrorReport()));
}

Example 2: Update Cloud Data

User: "Save player level to cloud."

Agent:

csharp

public void SaveLevel(int level)
{
    var request = new UpdateUserDataRequest
    {
        Data = new Dictionary<string, string> {
            { "PlayerLevel", level.ToString() }
        }
    };
    
    PlayFabClientAPI.UpdateUserData(request, 
        result => Debug.Log("Saved"), 
        error => Debug.LogError("Save Failed"));
}

Example 3: Cloud Script (Economy)

User: "Add gold securely."

Agent:

javascript

// Server-side (Azure Function / CloudScript)
handlers.grantGold = function(args, context) {
    var amount = 100; // Fixed server-side
    server.AddUserVirtualCurrency({
        PlayFabId: currentPlayerId,
        VirtualCurrency: "GD",
        Amount: amount
    });
    return { granted: amount };
};

Related Skills

•@analytics-heatmaps - Track backend events
•@monetization-iap - Validate receipts on backend
•@asynchronous-programming - Handle API calls