Ask HN: 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