Amazon GameLift Node.js 10 Server FAQ

Amazon GameLift Servers will end support for Node.js 10 on September 30, 2026. After this date, you will no longer be able to create new fleets using scripts with Node.js 10 runtime. Effective October 1, 2026, all active fleets using Node.js 10 scripts will be automatically scaled to zero instances and deleted. Game servers will be shut down, preventing players from connecting to your games.

Node.js 10 has reached end of life and is no longer receiving security updates, bug fixes, or technical support from the Node.js community. To ensure the security and reliability of your game servers, we are ending support for this outdated runtime version.

Node.js 24 introduces several changes that may affect your scripts including updated ECMAScript standards support, changes to module resolution, deprecated APIs removed, updated npm version and package compatibility requirements, performance improvements and enhanced memory management, and updated security protocols. We strongly recommend thoroughly testing your scripts with Node.js 24 in a development environment before migrating production fleets. Review the Node.js release notes for complete details on changes between versions.

1. Review your fleets. Check if you have existing fleets from scripts running on Node.js 10. See FAQ #7 for how to determine if you are using Node.js 10 in your fleets.

2. Create a new script. Create and upload your existing game server scripts and choose the new target NodeJsVersion i.e., “24.x” for Node.js 24. If there are any errors uploading or starting your script, follow these steps:
    a. Review the changes between AL2 and AL2023. For more information on AL2023 and the architectural differences with AL2, see Migration from AL2 to AL2023 guide.
    b. Review the changes between Node.js versions. For more information on Node.js version changes, see Node.js release notes.
    c. Update your game server scripts. Make required changes to your game server scripts to work with the new target Node.js version and operating system. For more information about integrating game server scripts, see the realtime scripts preparing your game for hosting guide.
    d. Upload your new script. Upload your new game server script to Amazon GameLift Servers. For more information, see Upload an Amazon GameLift Servers script.

3. Create a test fleet with the new script. To create a new test fleet, see Creating a managed EC2 fleet for Amazon GameLift Servers Realtime. We recommend this step to ensure there are no errors in initializing your game server scripts and activating the fleet.

4. Review fleet events for errors. If there are errors during fleet creation, you can look for the error messages on the Events tab on the Fleets dashboard. For troubleshooting common fleet creation errors, see Debug managed EC2 fleets for Amazon GameLift Servers Realtime.
5. (Optional) Update your game server script. If you encountered errors during script or fleet creation, fix and update your scripts until your fleet activates and the game server launches as expected. See update your realtime script.

6. (Optional) Create test game sessions. After your test fleet is active, set your backend service to target your new fleet. We recommend that you create test game sessions to verify game client connectivity. For more information about game client integration, see integrate a game client.

7. Migrate your game server traffic to your new production fleet. If you have a game in production serving live player traffic, you can use Amazon GameLift Servers queues and aliases to migrate players from your Node.js 10 to your new Node.js 24 fleets. For more information, see Queue best practices.

No, you do not need to update your Realtime client SDK. The client SDK is compatible with both Node.js 10 and Node.js 24 server-side scripts. However, we recommend testing your client-server interactions after upgrading to ensure compatibility. You can download the latest Realtime client SDK on the Getting Started page.

Yes. You will receive notifications through multiple channels including email notifications sent to the email address associated with your Amazon Web Services China account, Amazon Web Services China Personal Health Dashboard notifications with a list of affected resources, Amazon GameLift Servers console warning banners and messages when viewing affected fleets or creating new fleets, and reminder emails at key milestones leading up to the September 30, 2026 deadline.

You can identify affected fleets using several methods. In the Amazon Web Service China Personal Health Dashboard, navigate to the Amazon Web Service China Personal Health Dashboard, look for the Node.js 10 end of support notification, and click on the Affected resources tab to see a list of your Node.js 10 fleets. In the Amazon GameLift Servers Console, navigate to Fleets and look for fleets created from scripts with Node.js 10 runtime. You can also check the Node.js version in the details page of each script resource, as well as identify fleets created with each script.

You have successfully migrated when all active fleets use scripts with Node.js 24 runtime, no fleets appear in your Personal Health Dashboard for the Node.js 10 end of support notification, fleet runtime configuration shows Node.js 24 and Amazon Linux 2023 in the GameLift console, and you can create new fleets without receiving Node.js 10 deprecation warnings. If you meet these criteria, no further action is required, and you can safely ignore future notices about Node.js 10 end of support.

Yes. Node.js 10 end of support applies to all Amazon Web Services China Regions where Amazon GameLift Servers is available.

No. For detailed pricing options please visit https://www.amazonaws.cn/en/gamelift/pricing/

No. To help Amazon GameLift Servers customers maintain secure game server runtime environments, we require all customers to migrate to Node.js 24 before the end of support date, September 30, 2026.

Yes. Amazon GameLift Servers will scale down and terminate any remaining active fleets running on Node.js 10, after September 30, 2026.

Amazon GameLift Servers Enterprise customers can leverage their account team for technical support. Customers can also reach out to us through Amazon Web Services China Support.