I'm trying to implement multiplayer into my game using the server client model. What is the best method of synchronozing the game between the clients? What I'm thinking is that the game runs on the client, where the clients send the inputs (keyboard input for example) to the server, and the server then passes that on to the other clients, which then process that information. To make this system more robust the game would also run on the server, and the server would send synchronization packets to synchronize all the instances in the room. I can already see some potential flaws in this design, so that's why I'm asking for a better implementation. Both the server and client run in gamemaker.
To give you some context: my game is a relatively simple rpg platformer, where you have an inventory and items, player stats like armor and physical damage (the stats are almost identical to those of league of legends). You move with the arrow keys or wasd, like a regular platform game. For now I want to implement pvp, but would like to set up networking in a way that allows for npcs. I want to have a maximum of say 4 or 5 players connected at a time.
I have read up on client prediction, server reconciliation, entity interpolation and lag compensation, but it seems overkill for my application (it might not be I'm not sure).
I guess there it is somewhat acceptable to have a pure authoritative server, other than the fact that the player movement will become unresponsive, which is a big issue. Also using items and switching between then will become less responsive, which will make pvp less intense, but I can't think of a reasonable workaround for that.
Also, I am not worried about cheating as I am making this game just to have fun with friends.
Thanks.