title: Where would I start for reverse engineering a server connection, in order to build a server emulator?
body: <p>I'm a long time game developer, and I've been considering writing a server emulator for a popular game. My assumptions so far are that when multiplayer is active, clients speak to each other and bypass a server, so all I would have to emulate would be matchmaking and initiating client connections to each other. The goal is not to circumvent any kind of security authentication, but to simply implement a better solution for a server system which is flaky as it stands. Also, the existing system has no level of cheat protection, so it won't be long before the online community is largely destroyed. If there are any legal questions about doing this, I will not release any of my work until such a time as the official servers are shut down.</p>
  
  <p>Where would I start for this? I'm assuming I have to be able to log and track packets sent and received. What software would be good for that? </p>
  
  <p>Any other tips or suggestions would be welcome.</p>