The title sais it all... I'm looking for someone I can ask some questions about a project we're going to do. It's a multiplayer flash game (xml-socket) but unlike most multiplayer games there won't be a client that functions as the "game host", but instead the server should send messages to all clients at specified points in time. Is that even possible, and if so, how?

The reason why we can't let a client act as a host is because there are a lot of expensive prices to be won, and we want to keep all critical information serverside.

What servers can you guys recommend? Are there big differences in stability, pricing? Are these things easy to install?

i think haxe has this support and is free, I would suggest a quick question to the haxe mailng list, haXe can support php and if the site gets popular you can get one that will allow neko. You can load haxe flash or compile classes into flex project so you don't have to go all haxe if you are worried about learning curves. HaXe solution will be probably the lightest around but you may find only a few experts exist. As I said establish if what you want is possible in haxe and the best approach, and if it is hire me to make the flash side

thanks, I'll look into it.