Opening a new business division: Game Servers. Advice needed.

[LordLiberty]

Hi, I work for a big internet service provider that has appointed me to open a new business division. We are going to host low latency (low ping), fast performance game servers, for any player to freely enjoy (with some advertisement on them, of course, we are looking for a profit).

I am considering opening a first person shooter server first, as these kind of servers are usually easier to create and maintain than a MMORPG. I have done a very brief market study, and I think we should start with any of these games:

- Battlefield 2142
- Call of Duty 2 (Call of Duty 4 eventually)
- Battlefield 2
- Wolfenstein, Enemy Territory (Enemy Territory: Quake Wars eventually)
- Battlefield 1942

We based this list (and the list order) on the number of players worldwide, the server availability, and the date of publication of the game. We want popular games, that are not very old, with a downloadable server (we dont have the resources to create a new game server from scratch).

I was wondering, what advice would you give me in order to get as many players as I possibly can on my first servers. Also, any other type of advice about the server configuration, etc. Thank you very much,

[The_Fiddler]

You could also maybe consider looking at ET:QW, it's gonna be huge when it comes out.

I am also surprised you have not looked at CS:S?

[LordLiberty]

Originally Posted by The_Fiddler

You could also maybe consider looking at ET:QW, it's gonna be huge when it comes out.

I am aware about this, I think I mentioned it on my first post, I believe this is the game that has more commercial potential right now

About the CS:S game, I haven't been able to find the server file, do you know where is it hosted, and I can downlaod it, please?

Thanks for the hints.

[The_Fiddler]

Download STEAM from steampowered.com the server files are free once you install it

[Wayfarer]

If you build it they will come.
I think the golden reward is obtained by the following:

• Lowest latency (both server speed & network capacity)
• Uptime and reliability
• Best moderated (against griefers and cheaters)
• Ranked servers for games such as BF2 and 2142
• A mix of new and old maps (variety)
• Source of game updates and map packs
• Forum
• Open servers to All Seeing Eye and other game spider .

Good luck!

[click]

If you're just looking to fill your servers up

Do your map research on each game and run the most popular one
Make your servers bookable for matches
Let a clan admin a server (then they will look for your server first)
Make sure you get your servers on tracker

[LordLiberty]

Thank you very much for the advice.

[Vlad the Inhaler]

Yeah I would agree with most of those already posted.

1. Popular games. Crysis maybe another you want to look at thats coming out.
2. Good game admins - this is an ongoing problem with a number of server providers. Need to make sure you follow up on screen shots and complaints of players stat padding and cheating
3. Ladder matches are always attractive
4. Forums are good