What dose it take to start up a small game server providing company?

Whats the lowest budget ever that I could start one with?

I'll be honest with you here, and please do not be offended: do NOT start a GSP....yet

Why? Because you don't know how, the fact you are asking the minimum to start shows you do not have the knowledge, with GSP's knowledge far out ways money, unless of course you have a ton of it and can pay for everything needed to set-up and run one

Again, sorry to be blunt, but there is far more to a GSP than just a budget...

Get the knowledge, build a plan, then go for it, but until then, don't

Im not looking to start right away, I don't have any money right now to spend on a GSP. Im just learning now as this thread was posted.

First off I posted this thread so I can get some basic knowledge, it doesn't mean that im going to go right away and purchase what i need and get started, Heck of a no I ant going to do that. What I do know is that if I do that then I am going to lose a lot of money. I'm just wondering how much money it takes etc what stuff I need.

Things you will need:

Decent server, minimum dual core, 4GB ram: approx $150-170/m
Server management/monitoring: $30-100/m
Billing software: $15/m
Game control panel (would suggest TCAdmin): $16/m

There is more, but this is the bare minimum and even then with this spec'd server you are not going to be able to run too many gameservers on it

Find a good reliable and possible cheap host to host your game-servers. Get a VPS for your site, install a panel of your choice on it, get some kind of billing panel that will help you manage all your clients and possible reply to support tickets, and advertise. Be sure to make something unique about your services, otherwise there will be no reason why customers will go to some host as small as you instead of going to some big host.

Find a good reliable and possible cheap host to host your game-servers.

Do NOT host gameservers on normal hosting servers, you will not be allowed by the provider for one, even if they do let you the spec won't be high enough, and even if it is high enough, it is highly recommended you do not run gameservers on the same server as websites

Do NOT host gameservers on normal hosting servers, you will not be allowed by the provider for one, even if they do let you the spec won't be high enough, and even if it is high enough, it is highly recommended you do not run gameservers on the same server as websites

I am not sure what do you exactly mean. Obviously I wouldn't host the site and the gameservers on the same machine. I would rent a separate machine from a good reliable provider, and get a site from somewhere else.

Find a good reliable and possible cheap host to host your game-servers.

The way you worded this came across like you were saying to host the gameservers with shared webhosting, which is a big no, seems I misunderstood what you meant

The way you worded this came across like you were saying to host the gameservers with shared webhosting, which is a big no, seems I misunderstood what you meant

Why would you ever think that? They cannot be hosted on shared webhosting, no matter what.

-Karl-, did you actually read any of my posts, including the one you have quoted? I have advised against this

The way you worded this came across like you were saying to host the gameservers with shared webhosting, which is a big no, seems I misunderstood what you meant

Do NOT host gameservers on normal hosting servers, you will not be allowed by the provider for one, even if they do let you the spec won't be high enough, and even if it is high enough, it is highly recommended you do not run gameservers on the same server as websites

The hardest part of gameservers is advertising, and keeping long-term customers.

Most of your client base will be host hoppers / kids signing up for 1 month and leaving.

I helped a friend with the technical side of setting up a GSP a few years ago. At the end of the day it just wasn't a stable enough business. If you can get your foot firmly in the market, or know the right people it's worth it. Otherwise I would spend your time elsewhere.

www.securedservers.com for quality bandwidth and good prices. I estimate that with a single dedi from them and a gamecp license you could probably get away with $150ish/mo.

Under discussion this good
I've had it a lot
Good luck

The game-server market is just over saturated with long-term companies, and even short-term ones.

You have to know which game-type you are going to target, Valve Offers free game server SDK's and exes to run, while licenses from EA are especially hard to request, and it requires you to already have multiple locations.

Personally, if you do not have the network or the knowledge of doing so, you shouldn't even try.

With Counter-Strike source games, you need a good mix of low-latency network, and high FPS. Somewhere between 500-1000fps which takes up more resources than usual.

Then you need multiple quad-dual quad/hex core servers. In Chicago,IL and Dallas, TX which are the two most popular locations.

Next you need to be ready for expansion, and support tickets, people requesting mod and plugin installs.

Third, always be ready for people requesting refunds.

Last, my only suggestion at this point would be using HLDS and downloading the server files and play around with it on your own computer. Try learning sourcemod and other plugins, and then that should give you a general idea.

Remember, private servers/competitive require good hardware and really good network. People who play in CEVO, ESEA knows a difference between a good server and bad server, and teams up there would pay for a quality server.

Control Panels. TCadmin, SwiftPanel ( EOL ), MintPanel

Good forums for srcds, triple w dot srcds dot com

Cookies,

When you get 5 posts (there is a new user restriction) would you mind pm'ing me? I have some licensing questions I would like to ask you "offline".

Cookies,

When you get 5 posts (there is a new user restriction) would you mind pm'ing me? I have some licensing questions I would like to ask you "offline".

Of course, I'll send a PM right now as this is my fifth post, haha. I've been larking around the forums, and I always wanted to reply to posts like these, but, never got the chance to create an account.

EDIT: Still doesn't allow me to PM, e-mail me at joseph [at] pure-servers [dot com ]

Great, thanks for your email address, I'm sending you something right now. The new user restriction might actually be 15 posts, I can't remember.

Great, thanks for your email address, I'm sending you something right now. The new user restriction might actually be 15 posts, I can't remember.

Don't seem to have got it.

Sorry, sending now. I was reading another thread and almost lost my mind at one of the VPS providers responses to some of their clients.

Sorry, sending now. I was reading another thread and almost lost my mind at one of the VPS providers responses to some of their clients.

Feel free to link me, just sent a reply!

I am agree with mTx-MC. these all are the minimum requirement. If you want full setup may increaseand you have to increase your budget.:blush:

Things you will need:

Decent server, minimum dual core, 4GB ram: approx $150-170/m
Server management/monitoring: $30-100/m
Billing software: $15/m
Game control panel (would suggest TCAdmin): $16/m

There is more, but this is the bare minimum and even then with this spec'd server you are not going to be able to run too many gameservers on it

Things you will need:

...Server management/monitoring: $30-100/m
Billing software: $15/m
Game con....

What sort of "management" or "monitoring" could possibly cost that much for someone just starting out with one server? ..or even two?