Project Reality Forums

Can the server browser be modified with flags or signals to support populating servers easier and faster?

I've been part of trying to startup a few servers over a few hours. The results always wary and is not predictable at all. If you get ten guys early on a evening then the server will fill up, no worries but how to get those ten and make them stay? Over the span of several minutes one may see occasional connects and then disconnects, but how to make them stay for the thirty minutes it may take to assemble those ten?

I know which maps draw ppl, I know it helps to gather those ten beforehand and set a time but I'm talking about attracting the random ppl into a server.

So, creative suggestions on how to support and make it easier to fillup a server?

1, Making a 'quick-join' button for joining best ping server with available spots? With map selection/prohibited maps? With a minimum of players currently on server limit?
2, Making a voluntary admin-is-attending-the-server flag? Some may be drawn to servers that are watchdogged, by contrast, some may avoid those...eliminating certain less wanted phenomens from the start.
3, Making a flag to say "This server is trying to startup", to some it may be attractive to join and helpout?
4, Making a dropdown list of the current maprotation, this enables players to see what's coming and if they want to join?
5...?

Exactly where this information would be taken from, I have no idea. This is a concept thread to find ways of supporting server startups.

How do we give players the information that will tell them enough to have faith and join a starting server?

I really believe we have a number of players that feel they don't want to spend time starting up a server but also feel they don't want to wait for spots on the more popular servers. These ideas will make it even more easy to join a new game, instead of them turning away to some other computer fun.

Hey Lan, hows it going?

'[twl wrote:Lan;1207256']2, Making a voluntary admin-is-attending-the-server flag? Some may be drawn to servers that are watchdogged, by contrast, some may avoid those...eliminating certain less wanted phenomens from the start.

If people know there is an admin attending the server, that should help populate it, good idea. The problem, as you know is, how to do that... ??:

If there was a flag saying 'Carebear is not playing on this server' that might encourage people too.

Good luck figuring out how to get these 'flags' to work.

Hey Smeg, life is a roller-coaster, up and down yah know. I've stepped back from a lot of my e-comittments and focused on more fun, less work and it's payed off. Hope life's treating yah good?

As for the admin flags, maybe BF2CC or a query to the server file on who is admin and checking if the name is on the list and online on the server....or a flag somehow can be set on the server by a admin when he's online. A python code check, I have no idea but it's only data and it comes down to if someone more skilled thinks it's worth the effort.

Give more ideas - don't just discuss my feeble attempts!

Yeah, life is good thanks, glad things are working out for you.

OK, well, one of the first things that popped into my head was the current game progress. Asin, players knowing how many tickets are left and which flags are left to defend. Map layouts, random flag AASv3 positions etc... Not sure if that would be a good idea though as it could push as many players away from that server as it attracts.

Knowing if there are commanders present could have the same consequences, that could be a good or bad thing...

Thinking...

Think startup - what you are describing there is a server in full progress

How to attract players to a starting server?

I had a crazy notion of somehow summarizing the entire "players waiting to join servers" and providing them with a window with multiple selections and information.

Number of players online looking for servers
Number of players with ping below 100 relative to you
Select which maps you would like to join (a full list of maps)
Servers currently being attended by a admin (Y/N)

Summary: These are the servers currently playing your selection with potential interested playerbase (summary of their selection mixed with yours).

Do you wish to join? Y/N

That's a mix of the quickjoin button, criterias and fast update of limited selections showing potential playerbase.

I dont believe that it is possible within the BF2 Server list GUI itself. I do believe its hardcoded. (But I really dont know, ask someone with an "R-" in front of their name.)

However, we can look for guidance from the Forgotten Hope 2 Toolbox. It has all the servers and what not and you can even log into the server you like straight away.

The hard part is developing some sort of script that says there is an admin on. Perhaps it could fall under the After Dune Scripts or work with them. That way, when there is an Admin on, there is a Flag that shows up for admins.

This is completely doable, imo, but it is only an opinion.

You should ask someone who knows...Screw it, I will.

Is this possible Y'all?

Well, the whole thread is a question in the end so we'll see what the R's think. It's probably too little gain for too much effort, my second post would be even more interesting though, getting potential playerbase to take part in selection. Kinda make a promise-to-join by selecting the players interest in maps...