How can we populate our ranked server?

[low_iq]

Hi guys,

My clan offers a 48 person ranked BF2 server, but for whatever the reason we can't seem to populate it on a nightly basis. We offer a decent map rotation, great pings, a community like environment, but still can't fill the server during prime hours.

We're not new to owning servers. We have 2 very active CS:S servers, 1 DOD, 1 CS 1.6, which for the most part are active.

I don't know what's going on. Have other people noticed a decline in BF2 players? It's mind boggling as we recently cancelled our SF ranked server as it sat empty for basically 2 months, and wasn't worth the expense.

We offer a website that has active forum boards, Ventrilo server, etc.

Any suggestions on how to get a nearly extinct fan base back to our server?

Thanks in advance,
IQ

[Peiduxtreme]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

Goto other servers and illegally advertise drugs at your server?

Just try and generate interest here and at other forums... Tell people to join on Xfire.

[The_Misfit]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

One word: Karkand.


And having a map rotation is nice, just don't go from DragonValley64 to a simliar map, like FushePass64. Make sure you mix in the smaller / infantry maps if you have the air/larger maps in rotation. Also, w/48 slots I'm going to assume you're using 64 player sized maps. 48 on a 32 will = a quick round in most cases.

[pertti_pasanen]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

City maps ftw (just put it in the server name, nevermind the actual rotation, should do the trick)

[signa]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

its hard to populate a server, especially when a minimum number of players is required to start a round. thats the reason i quit running a ranked server.

[P_Static_2]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

That is the main problem in buying a server for bf2. With the cost and amount of effort it takes to get it going it really is not worth it. But, if you really want to get it open here is what never fails for my clan...if you care to take a gander at our server "Moo-Crew BF2 Ranked".

If you are not a popular server like Hell is loose, Teamhaf, Team wonderful,Cains Lair, The insomnia 365 Servers....Than you gotta work to get your server open. Those servers I just mentioned probably have 150 regulars. And getting there server open is no problem at all.

In the event of a 2nd rate server like our's you have to do a few things.

Put it on karkand.
Have atleast 5 clanmates to idle the server with you...6 is better, 7 increases your luck, and 8 is failsafe. To put it the way it is, 8 people sitting in your server will easily start it. Just put it on karkand....Most likely noobs will join but once it takes off it will fill up. Keep it on popular maps for a little while. Maplist as follows works great for us.

Karkand
Sharqi
Gulf
Karkand
Wake
Sharqi

Essentially it is Karkand or sharqi every other map. But those 2 maps keep your player base near max by the 2nd round. And 2 rounds per map is my suggestion.

If you need a group of people to help get your server open, and you are willing to return the favor, we have about 8-10 guys on each night that open our server up and get it running. Hit me up on Xfire if you are interested, my xfire is: Viruspvf

This goes for any of you that would like to get your server going. Just get ahold of me and my clan mates will help you out!!

Edit: Our server IP is 72.232.0.245:16567

[Resplended]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

Tell us the ip! :p

Try setting up games amongst a group of you and hope that more people will start joining once they see it's regularly active. Also, advertise like hell. :)

If I see an empty server I won't join (obviously), I'll go in the one with 20 or so people in. If you get what I'm saying. :S

Edit: Ah. Static beat me to it, what I was trying to say was have people idling/playing on a regular basis and you're more likely to get people joining, and before you know it it'll be full.

[Skwurl]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

Give me the IP and I'll join.

...As long as it's not Karkand.

Anything but Karkand.

[BigDaddyTX]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

I am in the 2nd month of trying to run one. It seems the only time we pull in people is when 4-5 of us are idling/mucking about.

If you can get people coming several nights in arow, they'll keep coming back. My clanmates and I routinely visit the same servers. Once we have a good game on one, it gets added to our "hotlist" (whoever wants to pick a serve next, lol!)

PS - I run the Badge Whores server! IP: 69.41.178.71

[xpnl]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

Try this
start with small 16 player maps, let youre clan play on it, game start quickly(with I think 6 peeps)..players will join on popular maps soon(city maps 4 example)
After some days slowly crank up the server to 32, what you need is to atract
regulars.

[P_Static_2]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

xpnl, if you have a 48 man server you need 10 people to start it regardless of the map size. it is a 48 slot. If it is in ranked mode you cant lower it from 10 to 6 for minimum amount of people to get it going.

[=IMO=THJones]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

best way is to grow your clan, geneally our server gets going after dinner when we all show up and usually just our clan alone has enough to start the game and them it fills pretty fast

[N2K]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

Where is your server located, and whats the IP i might jump in

[<}US{>BlackHawkPilot73]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

make it a 24/7 chineese maps. not a lot of them and a lotta pleople want that,

[AlphaCueUp]

Re: How can we populate our ranked server?

make it ping low.....

lol

i would make it 24/7 karkand/sharqi/wake, all 64 sized maps

maybe make a no base-raping uncaps rule, so ppl will feel safe in ur server :P