Difference between revisions of "Crafting Server Appeal and Good Appearance"

From Armagetron
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1. You can change max_clients so that only a certain number of players can enter
 
1. You can change max_clients so that only a certain number of players can enter
 +
 
2. You can set talk_to_master to 0 so that the server doesn't appear on the list and your players have to connect manually (using your server's IP)
 
2. You can set talk_to_master to 0 so that the server doesn't appear on the list and your players have to connect manually (using your server's IP)
 +
 
3. You can simply inform everyone by changing the server name.
 
3. You can simply inform everyone by changing the server name.
  

Revision as of 17:49, 14 November 2010

Introduction

You have a server and you want players to play there. There are some things you should pay attention to when you set it up. I found most of this self-explaining and one thing i like about Armagetron is the big variety of things you can do with a server. This text isn't about server physics. It's subject is a server's outward appearance.

How to properly season your server name

There aren't a lot of things you can do wrong with your server's name. Of course it shouldn't be too long, and you better don't have tons of servers with the same name. This is regarded as spam and leads to a ban. Servers that belong together can be grouped optically, just by using a similar prefix or a color code which is repeated. You don't have to use any color codes. The most important thing for a good server are its genuine physics.


Wildwest.jpg


Let's start a small design analysis with CTWF:

Ctwf.jpg

The server name consists of 8 different color codes, it changes from letter to letter. At the same time its order is repeated in every word. It's not a smooth color gradient, but a contrast. It obviously symbolizes the craziness of the server and the clan behind it, but it also refers to the 'weird maps' that are mentioned in the server options. CTWF is a very successful server, and i believe that the name is part of it. If you like to keep your server privately there are three ways to achieve this:

1. You can change max_clients so that only a certain number of players can enter

2. You can set talk_to_master to 0 so that the server doesn't appear on the list and your players have to connect manually (using your server's IP)

3. You can simply inform everyone by changing the server name.

Unk.jpg

Welcome Messages

Would you call this a proper welcome message? It doesn't tell you anything about the server you just entered except that its admin has an infantile humour.

Welcome.jpg

You can do lots of things with your welcome message. You can create ASCII art (as used in Wild West Capture The Flag) or give a detailed description of your game (like in many Fortress servers or Dodgeball). You can also use it to advertise your clan's site or to give everyone your email so players can notify you if they have trouble.

Server Options

If you happen to use your server logs for an IP Finder, you should point it out in the server options. Good servers often have a short description of the most important settings (rubber, zones, big/small arena, score or time limit, speed, team size...) or a humorous slogan (CTWF: There's like all these weird maps man!)

Ping Limits

A ping limit is a bad idea. Who knows what players you will never meet because you obstruct your server's door? Imagine Xyron would be banned from all sumo servers.


Server Rules

´j.jpg


I don't like servers with a long list of rules that are not predefined by the settings. While settings are always valid, regardless if they are popular or not, rules have to be enforced by server admins and moderators. If the mighty people of your server interfere too often, some players will stay away completely (see: Playing Open). However, all of this is my personal opinion and it's your choice what you do with your server. However, rules belong in the server options and the welcome message. Nobody likes to be kicked for "deliberately closing" (or "drawing", "rimming", "stabbing" and all these other pseudo crimes).

Our internet society isn't so rotten that you have to add good behaviour to the rules. But it can have a positive effect on the server's climate if admins are there to handle your players' issues and to ensure they don't degrade others, teamkill, or otherwise ruin their armagetron experience with their n00bery.


Center Messages

Center messages can contain URLs or short exclamations, questions, sayings and quotes. They shouldn't be too long. Both the welcome message and the time-out message provide enough room for rules, guidelines or additional help.