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

[Alex - Fibervolt]

Hello,

I have been thinking about starting a game server company. (Or I'm just to curious) Lets say I would be willing to invest $3 grand.

Other then servers and WHMCS (Unless theres a better billing software more towards game servers) and a website what else should I get?

Game Server Control Panels (Suggestions on one?)
Servers
Website

I'm sure theres a whole bunch more stuff to get .. any detailed suggestions and what else to get?

Thanks,
Alex

[easygameservers]

Depends what OS you want your game servers to operate on. TCAdmin is the most used (and maybe the only one?) for Windows Server 2003/2008 and it has integration with WHMCS, making ordering and setting up a server easy.

For Linux there are several, such as Swiftpanel, or GameCp.

It also depends on whether you would like to build your own servers or rent. The 3 grand budget might only get you 1 or 2 servers if you built it, but monthly fees would be lower in the long run.

Once you start growing, don't forget to hire support staff, so clients can get answers quick.

[NetHosted - Bret]

Hmm, I don't agree with easygameservers about renting being cheaper in the long run. Depending on the spec of the server you build, it would definately be cheaper to purchase, build and co-locate a machine. I would then go with CentOS and run SwiftPanel on the machine. It would be the perfect setup for most game servers and the upcoming 2.0 will be an all-in-one solution so it will minimise your costs and maximise potential

Bret

[ms-warren]

I would have to say if you have $3k to invest in it, invest in a decent website, invest in your own dedicated servers do not rent since in the long run renting will end up costing you way more. as for your server software, linux is free but if you do not know how to work it dont use it. panel depends on what you choose as an OS since there are different panels for both linux and windows our there (TCAdmin, GameCP, SwiftPanel etc etc) and also make sure you invest in marketing to bring in your traffic. SEO will be a + and buying site hits through google yahoo and msn/bing will also do you well, even if a small package. And start off small dont go big at once for it can break you overnight, always have a budget and make sure you have cash to stay up for a couple of months since you do not get big on your first month up

[easygameservers]

Originally Posted by Bret - dediShack

Hmm, I don't agree with easygameservers about renting being cheaper in the long run. Depending on the spec of the server you build, it would definately be cheaper to purchase, build and co-locate a machine. I would then go with CentOS and run SwiftPanel on the machine. It would be the perfect setup for most game servers and the upcoming 2.0 will be an all-in-one solution so it will minimise your costs and maximise potential

Bret

I didn't say renting is cheaper in the long run. I said building servers would lower your monthly costs over time.

[influx07]

Originally Posted by Depeche

Hello,

I have been thinking about starting a game server company. (Or I'm just to curious) Lets say I would be willing to invest $3 grand.

Other then servers and WHMCS (Unless theres a better billing software more towards game servers) and a website what else should I get?

Game Server Control Panels (Suggestions on one?)
Servers
Website

I'm sure theres a whole bunch more stuff to get .. any detailed suggestions and what else to get?

Thanks,
Alex

3k isn't that bad to start with at all. You'd need a few servers spanned across the US (Chicago is a great place to start), a website (obviously), a control panel (TCAdmin is widely used throughout the industry and flawless if you have a windows-based machine).

A good resource for you would be GSPTruth.com, it's a big game-server industry hangout. I'm sure they'd answer your questions well (and you'd see me over there too!).

If you'd like further advise I'll be glad to chat with you over IM.

[XFactorServers]

I wouldn't waste your time starting any sort of company with a $3000 budget. I wouldn't even tempt to get into the game server market without a $10,000+ budget but that is my 2 cents.

[influx07]

Originally Posted by XFactorServers

I wouldn't waste your time starting any sort of company with a $3000 budget. I wouldn't even tempt to get into the game server market without a $10,000+ budget but that is my 2 cents.

Though a different industry, Hostgator started with just three servers and is now an industry leader for hosting. Starting with a small budget can yield success, it just matters who's at the helm.

[ms-warren]

Originally Posted by influx07

Though a different industry, Hostgator started with just three servers and is now an industry leader for hosting. Starting with a small budget can yield success, it just matters who's at the helm.

I applaud this

[Alex - Fibervolt]

Well really I have a nice nehalem server with 12 GBs of memory. And a website, WHMCS and swiftpanel. So now I have $3,000 left .. so I'm thinking what to do with that to make this better.

[easygameservers]

Originally Posted by Depeche

Well really I have a nice nehalem server with 12 GBs of memory. And a website, WHMCS and swiftpanel. So now I have $3,000 left .. so I'm thinking what to do with that to make this better.

hire 1 or 2 support members? or you could even build another server and colocate it in a different location, for example if you put your current server in chicago, you could move to another popular location such as dallas/new york.

[Alex - Fibervolt]

Thats a good idea. So maybe a second server colocate that somewhere else then start? I should at least get a little bit of income from the game server business before doing anything more correct?

[easygameservers]

Originally Posted by Depeche

Thats a good idea. So maybe a second server colocate that somewhere else then start? I should at least get a little bit of income from the game server business before doing anything more correct?

Yes to the second question. Theres always the chance something could go wrong or you could just not like hosting game servers, and you would have wasted a lot of money (Not saying this will happen, just saying you should be prepared for anything in this market)

[EQHosting]

Good luck with everything

[zomgmike]

I suggest taking your time growing. A lot of guys try to start their own gameserver companies and get too overzealous about growth and collapse under their own success. Slow and steady.

Long story short, when starting set goals for how long you can exist rather than how big you can get; with time comes size.