HACKER Q&A
📣 garnetraven

Would you use a self-hosted server that streams media and video games?


I’m working on an open-source project called MediaVault, aiming to combine media streaming and game streaming into one unified, self-hosted server.

Current tools are split across different ecosystems (Plex/Jellyfin for video, Moonlight/Sunshine/RetroArch/Playnite/etc. for games). I’m exploring whether one coherent platform makes sense.

Core ideas:

- Stream movies, shows, music

- Stream PC and emulated games

- Same UI, same API, same server

- Controller passthrough over WebRTC

- Treat games as “media entries” with metadata, covers, and launch scripts

- Optional cloud sync for game saves - Docker-first deployment

- API that can support third-party clients easily

Think of it as combining Jellyfin + Playnite, but with the ability to stream both media and games to devices on your network.

Before I commit fully to game streaming integration, I’d love feedback on a few things:

- Is there a meaningful benefit to unifying media and game streaming under one server/API, or is separation fundamentally better?

- For game streaming, what’s the minimal viable core: WebRTC, controller passthrough, automatic emulator launch, or something else?

- Are video transcoding and real-time game streaming too divergent to live inside one backend, or is it feasible with good modularity?

- What are the biggest frustrations with running Jellyfin/Plex + Sunshine/Moonlight + Playnite/EmulationStation as separate tools?

- Are there security implications I should consider when exposing media libraries and executable launchers behind one unified API?

- What would a unified solution need to do significantly better than today’s separated-stack setups to justify switching?

Repo: https://github.com/media-vault


  👤 Sean-Der Accepted Answer ✓
I think it’s a great idea!

I would try and be more ‘use case focused’ instead of trying to replace/combining existing things. I love the idea of a more connected/social future.

Make it easy to self host and give people more ways to connect.


👤 setnone
I'm curious about scaling: what if a thousand or a million people would want to join a stream?