Hello all!

Now that I'm wrapping up the sale of my current company, I'd like to start a game hosting company. Quick question on one concept I just don't yet get: Do you have to get a server-side server version of each software title you wish to offer? Anyone here with experience running a game host who wouldn't mind taking a few questions, either here or on MSN Messenger?

Thanks! :)

Yes, I think generally you can get some sort of dedicated server version of the game (Going from my experience admining Unreal Tournament servers).

If you don't know much about the games and their configuration yourself, you definitely need people who do. Remember, the people buying these sorts of services will be teenagers with a bit of spare cash. Game servers are very easy to break with a bad config line or file - so you'll need to know how to fix it.

Anyway, good luck with it :)

-Chris

I have to say, it looks like you may not have a great deal of experience here based on your question.

Unless you have a partner or someone working for you that is VERY knowledgeable on game servers for multiple games you are going to struggle.

Prices have dropped through the floor now and you can get game servers from BIG companies for 1.99 per slot.

I think I'd research the option much further before taking a dive.

it mostly depends on what kind of games your going to offer for hosting, most FPS games will have a dedicated server files e.g. battlefield 2, if using linux it might be an idea to install screen onto the server so that the servers can run in the background or you'll end up with loads of ssh windows active on each game

cPanel has a game hosting mod that you'll want to check out on their forums. I believe that system keeps the software updated fairly often.

cPanel has a game hosting mod that you'll want to check out on their forums. I believe that system keeps the software updated fairly often.Heh, the best control panel for running game servers on is none. You'll receive the best performance with servers that are optimized and configured correctly without a control panel.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Do any of you wish to chat on MSN Messenger to answer some of my basic questions? I do plan to hire a gaming server guru, but I still need to know some things so I'll know what kind of person to look for. :) Hence, my question.

Heh, the best control panel for running game servers on is none. You'll receive the best performance with servers that are optimized and configured correctly without a control panel.

That's how I did it back in the day.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Do any of you wish to chat on MSN Messenger to answer some of my basic questions? I do plan to hire a gaming server guru, but I still need to know some things so I'll know what kind of person to look for. :) Hence, my question.I'd be more than willing to answer any questions you may have. My contact is available in my profile.

That's how I did it back in the day.Same, I've never used a control panel to configure game servers, on both Linux and Windows operating systems. Although, when I did run them, you could easily tell who actually knew what they were doing, and who was running game servers out of The Planet with TCAdmin, claiming to be the best. ;)

You'll find that you can just use command prompt to load up most servers.

Such as the source engine.

As games take up a lot of memory etc you don't want a control panel running your server, it is just more inefficienty, however the GUI does make it safer.

We need more details on games etc. Also, you'll need access to the servers yourself otherwise you're customers aren't going to stay long. Game servers always need to be rebooted / maintained properly, something you can only do physically.

Not to mention that pings have to be relatively low. So the server has to be relatively close to the areas you're selling to.

Unfortunately, with this you have to consider location as well. Unlike Web Hosting.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Do any of you wish to chat on MSN Messenger to answer some of my basic questions? I do plan to hire a gaming server guru, but I still need to know some things so I'll know what kind of person to look for. :) Hence, my question.

Msn in profile feel free to add me

Dan,

I tried to send you a pm but you have pm's blocked. Can you please either msg me or open up pm's?

Regards,

Sean Bravener

I would have to say that by providing some sort of GUI is beneficial for gamers as well as a GSP. Reason being:

::The new Game Control Panels take up very little resources.

::Offer the ability to have a support team with different experience levels - thus saving you money.

::Gives the client a user friendly panel to better administer their game instead without having to know too much about actual servers.

I could be wrong on this - but can't you actually run some of the control panels on seperate maching - allowing the server to be free of a control panel? I could be wrong on this. Any input?

Well as far as I'm concerned, that's being lazy.

You can only run several games at once on a server anyway.

With sloppy coding these days (look at Steam) you will notice that anything with a GUI will become crap.

Just like Dos to Windows :P

It just makes things that little bit easier with a great compromise for performance. Infact, the GUI would be 90% of the coding anyway, plus graphics etc.

How hard is it to remember (or write them in notepad :O) a few command lines to control a server gaming server?

Great Point.

How easy is it for the client to admin their game server?

Hi Jerett,

Great Point.

How easy is it for the client to admin their game server?

That all depends on the platform and the game chosen.

Make sure that you also think about a good billing system as well. Making sure the bills are paid is pretty important.

By the way, don't want to interrupt the talk going on here, but I did want to let everyone know that I am grateful for the input - however, I have decided not to pursue this.