Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Specialty Hosting and Markets : Game Servers : Game Hosting

[TheChemist]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to start hosting gameservers as I hear it is a profitable area of the industry. I have no knowledge when it comes to this though. I know this forum is for web hosting talk and while I do host web sites I hope everyone doesn't mind me asking for information.

I was going to at first host the game's on my web server. I heard that with the sites I am hosting now I could only host about 60 Slots at the very most. I do not want to over load my server either.

I currently have two servers. One from Geekrack (burst.net) and another from Corenetworks. The Burst datacenter has no IRC allowed so it's suitable for web hosting and doesn't have a high risk for ddos attacks. I have the corenetworks box to provide Unix Shells and to host IRC Networks. I kept them seperate for the sole purpose of stability. I want to do the same with the game server.

Here is my list of questions and any other advice anyone wants to throw in is much appreciated.

1) Where to get the dedicated server? I am all about providing the fastest most powerful services to my clients and I want a proper box for the games.

2) I am definitely going to use GameCP http://www.gamecp.com for the control panel as it's billing system seems great and it's fully customizable. Does anyone know any flaws or better panels for game hosting?

3) Linux or Windows? I plan to get one of each at some point but what do gamers prefer?

4) Ranked servers, I was told I had to get a license from EA Games in order to sell ranked servers? Can someone explain this to me? I thought that if the client had steam and owned the game I could host ranked games.

5) For the time being, does anyone around host game's that would allow me to resell. I don't want to purchase a reseller package I would like to add your prices and list of games to my site for a percent of each sale. Term's can be worked out. I'd prefer a game host with many servers as gamer's are picky.


I'm sure I will have more questions. My company is new but we are very professional. Our support is almost instant so if someone will allow the resell we will support the clients and upkeep installations.

Regards,

Matt

<<Snipped contact details>>

[JohnJ]

If you are at least 18 years old, I would recommend using TCAdmin instead of GameCP. TCAdmin is one of the most powerful game control panels on the market today. However, please keep in mind that TCAdmin will only run on a Windows platform - most games work well in this platform, so that shouldn't be much of an issue.

I would not recommend mixing web hosting with voice servers and/or game servers. This will only hurt your clients and your business. cPanel, a popular web control panel, uses a decent amount of RAM - a cPanel/voice server/game server environment is not one I'd want to be in.

You would need to contact EA about a ranked server license. That is usually a pretty long and costly process. You need to have an established business before applying for a license like this.

I would not recommend reselling voice servers or game servers for another company. It is usually difficult to keep up with things, and when you experience lag issues or downtime, there is little you can do. It will only make your company look bad in the long run. I know that I'd never use a company that resold for another.

I would, however, recommend learning more about the industry before you make anything official. If you are not experienced, you will need employees who are - that's the expensive part of running a business.

I hope I've helped!

[TheChemist]

Hello John,

After the information you have given me I have decided for the time being to scrap the idea of renting servers to host games. Although I am not going to let you rain on my parade as I want to provide my clients and potential clients with a broad variety of great services.

I would not recommend reselling voice servers or game servers for another company. It is usually difficult to keep up with things, and when you experience lag issues or downtime, there is little you can do. It will only make your company look bad in the long run. I know that I'd never use a company that resold for another.

I remember many years back I opened up a web hosting business with a small reseller package. While it didn't go so well I did much research when finding my reseller package. I know there are very many top notch game server hosts that wouldn't mind a "less" established company like mine adding there services to my page as it will only benefit there company. I do have a few places in mind.

I would, however, recommend learning more about the industry before you make anything official. If you are not experienced, you will need employees who are - that's the expensive part of running a business.

You previously made a reference to my age. I take it as an insult as I asked for help for a topic that I am not much familiar with, does that have anything to do with age. I want to learn about the topic in question to avoid adding more staff members and that's why I came to this forum. While I am not turning this thread into a troll job I asked for advice and got everything but. I do forgive as you do not know me and since I am a host asking for help it's only natural to think I am unexperienced. Web/Reseller hosting is our bread and butter but we want to provide a broad variety of services. That is why I came and asked for simple responses that would help me on my venture.

And the comments about establishment, can you explain what you mean by this. While Host Phenom's website currently is being constructed we have done nothing to promote. 4 months open. Do you know of any businesses that were established and respected in this short of time. Like any other business whether it's a restaurant, retail store, or web hosting it take's time to become established. I expected atleast a year before promotion of our services began, I am well ahead of schedule. Our clients have been strictly word of mouth.

I have a bachelors degree in Business Administration. My invoices are sent promptly, my records are kept correct, and I pay taxes on every bit of revenue brought in through sales. And while I think you meant inexperience with gameservers, do you still question the fact that I am inexperienced in this industry?

Anyway's I appreciate the feedback and if anyone can give me useful information please feel free to. Again, thanks John.

Regards,
Matt
Host Phenom

[JohnJ]

You previously made a reference to my age. I take it as an insult as I asked for help for a topic that I am not much familiar with, does that have anything to do with age.

Yes, I made a reference to your age. I stated that if you are at least 18 years old, I would recommend using TCAdmin, rather than GameCP. I mentioned you being at least 18 years old because:

http://tcadmin.com/terms.php

Contracts may only be entered into if the person is 18 years of age or older. Any potential client that does not meet this age requirement, must have a person of legal age order the product for them.

[Nick H]

Originally Posted by JohnJ

Yes, I made a reference to your age. I stated that if you are at least 18 years old, I would recommend using TCAdmin, rather than GameCP. I mentioned you being at least 18 years old because:

That's a standard clause written into most any well written contract

[cloudrck]

OH SNAP! Haven't seen one of these threads lately. Just one question, what research have you done to figure out this is a profitable market?

1. Depends on your target audience location, and types of games. If you have to ask about server specs, I would research hardware.
2. Not personally.
3. ] This depends on the game software requirements, and what you know how to administrate, if you don't know jack about Linux, don't waste your time until you do.
4. No, don't count on hosting ranked games with EA. You'll have a better chance of seeing a leprecon.
5. If you mean an affiliate program, I'm sure you can contact GSP's.

I would do a little searching.
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showth...&highlight=gsp
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=684841

[Spartanfrog]

Web Hosting is absolutely nothing like game hosting. Your best bet is just learn over a couple years. If you dont know anything about it now, you should not be starting a game hosting buisness until at least april 2009, there are just way to many aspects to figure out.

[JohnJ]

Originally Posted by Spartanfrog

Web Hosting is absolutely nothing like game hosting. Your best bet is just learn over a couple years. If you dont know anything about it now, you should not be starting a game hosting buisness until at least april 2009, there are just way to many aspects to figure out.

You're getting a bit too specific on those dates, aren't you? Everyone learns differently; some learn fast while others learn more slowly. There isn't a schedule for learning the industry.

[natsh]

You're getting a bit too specific on those dates, aren't you? Everyone learns differently; some learn fast while others learn more slowly. There isn't a schedule for learning the industry.

I think the general idea was that you should become more familiar with the industry, rather than jumping right in.


@HostPhenom : As you said - you are familiar with the web hosting industry, and as stated above - these two (Game hosting and Web Hosting) are nearly inverses of each other.

In my opinion, you should contact a few game server providers (companies) and ask them for a position as a tech or something. This way, you can get a feel for what responsibilities are required and how to manage the various issues that possibly can arise.

However, it's your call. Most of us here would suggest you wait a but before "jumping the gun," but you know yourself better than anyone here.

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[JohnJ]

Originally Posted by natsh

I think the general idea was that you should become more familiar with the industry, rather than jumping right in.


@HostPhenom : As you said - you are familiar with the web hosting industry, and as stated above - these two (Game hosting and Web Hosting) are nearly inverses of each other.

In my opinion, you should contact a few game server providers (companies) and ask them for a position as a tech or something. This way, you can get a feel for what responsibilities are required and how to manage the various issues that possibly can arise.

However, it's your call. Most of us here would suggest you wait a but before "jumping the gun," but you know yourself better than anyone here.

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The game server industry is very demanding. You'll experience so many twelve year olds signing up with their parents' credit cards. They tend to cancel accounts and sign up again within weeks. It gets a bit annoying after a while. You'll also be bothered so much by a bunch of tween customers who demand their servers be less than 30ms.

As for getting a job in the game server industry, it's harder than it looks. Most of the major game server providers rarely take on new help, and when they do they are looking for very experienced people.

[natsh]

Originally Posted by JohnJ

The game server industry is very demanding. You'll experience so many twelve year olds signing up with their parents' credit cards. They tend to cancel accounts and sign up again within weeks. It gets a bit annoying after a while. You'll also be bothered so much by a bunch of tween customers who demand their servers be less than 30ms.

Agreed. Of course there are pro's and con's of all - but I'd say John just pointed out a few of the major ones.

Originally Posted by JohnJ

As for getting a job in the game server industry, it's harder than it looks. Most of the major game server providers rarely take on new help, and when they do they are looking for very experienced people.

Agreed here as well. But if you are determined to do someone, I'm sure HostPhenom could possibly find a reputable company (given that he does research, plays around with "stuff", and comprehends some points)

[JohnJ]

I'll say that one good thing about hosting game servers is that you can game all day (as long as there's no work to be done)... it makes sense in a way. If I were to play games a lot right now, while I'm just in the web hosting industry, it would look a bit weird. But if I were working in the gaming industry, it'd look perfect.

[RS|John]

I know this doesn't help you much but i would like to give you some info about the GSP market before you get into it.

Game Server clients expect several things, extremely low ping, REAL 24/7 Support with a less then 5minute response time, they are under the impression a game server is a managed service meaning if they are to lazy to login and restart there server or upload a map chances are you will be doing it. Oh, and your servers have to be cheap cheap cheap to attract any business unless of course you are targeting the "performance game server market" in that case you will have a whole new set of issues.

Also the profit margin may seem high at first glance but after you start getting into it.
- The Best Hardware
- The Best Network
- Unrealistic Support
- High Bandwidth Cost/Usage
- And the time you waste talking to children and/or dealing with there parents who just noticed the charge on there credit card.

Game Servers are really not a good place to be at the moment.

Im not trying to bash you I really am trying to help you. If you see this is something you want to do PLEASE just do a ton of research before you decide to dig yourself into a hole.

Best of luck and I hope you acknowledge the arguments in my post.

[Spartanfrog]

Originally Posted by JohnJ

You're getting a bit too specific on those dates, aren't you? Everyone learns differently; some learn fast while others learn more slowly. There isn't a schedule for learning the industry.

I could get even more specific if you would like .

[Red Squirrel]

Originally Posted by HostPhenom

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to start hosting gameservers as I hear it is a profitable area of the industry.

If I'm wrong someone correct me, but I would have to say gaming servers is not profitable at all. Chances are if you charge people to play it will either be against the game's ToS or people wont play.

I run an Ultima Online server and the only money is donations, but these barely cover the costs. You have to really have a passion for the game you are hosting and be willing to use your pocket money for it.

My tip is start with a low end server (at least a P4 though, avoid Celerons)

10mbps is most likely enough, you'd be surprised. Go with that, then upgrade if needed. Specially a MMO server, the packets are actually very small. Latency is very important though so you want a really good network.

I personally recommend The Planet or Softlayer.

Oh and you wont really need a control panel, since each game server application operates differently and may or may not have it's own built in admin console. RDP/SSH is all you need (and FTP to update game content/scripts etc)