Suggestions for Populating Server?

[generalandrew]

Hello all. I'm having trouble populating my two servers I have for it, save for my clan's weekly practice on Fridays. I was wondering if there are any recommended settings out there that can help bring attention to my servers?

Right now I have one running HC and one running normal, both with default configs on (except for the name change, which is [EFA] 24/7 HC and [EFA] 24/7). How ever, hardly anyone comes in there. Any assistance and/or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

As a second thought, does anyone suggest trying a 24/7 map server? Coming over from Battlefield, I fondly remember the 24/7 Wake and Karkand services.

[Dan2k3k4]

Re: Suggestions for Populating Server?

There's quite a few 24/7 map only servers...

Have you tried using a different port instead of the default one?

Go into the ingame browser, scan for new servers, stop when you get about 100 listed, then check each server and what port they use... You should find that most of them use port 28930 or a port different to the default one (28960). :)

[generalandrew]

Re: Suggestions for Populating Server?

Indeed you're right!!

Now my provider doesn't give me much details about the technical side, except for what my IP is and what the port they use (default). I know how to change the config files, etc., do I just change it in there, or is there an actual server-side change that must be made by the SP as well?

[Dan2k3k4]

Re: Suggestions for Populating Server?

If your server sets "+set net_port 28960" in the command line for the game then you won't be able to change it unless you contact them. Since by writing it into the server config - it would have loaded net_port 28960 first then loaded the port from the config, but the "new port" would not be changed untill you restart the server, but when you do that it'll just run the same port from the command line. So you'll need to find a way to change the command line (if you can)

Do you have the option to change fs_game path? As that would be loaded into the command line too, if you can change that you can probably change the net_port. fs_game path is used to load a custom mod, e.g. AWE/Extreme/ACE etc.

[imported_Duality]

Re: Suggestions for Populating Server?

Dan2k3k4 is correct - changing the default query port will make your server show up more on the master server list, and is definitely recommended.

A good way to get traffic to your server is to make sure you fill a niche. Often mixing gametypes like TDM or S&D may be fun and may get the server filled - but may not always get you the "regulars" you need. Once you get some regs, you are pretty much sorted. Make sure you jump in the server on your own on a small map and wait for someone to join you for a 1v1. Wait for more people to arrive and viola - your server is jump started. Without regulars though - your server won't have any character and familiar faces to make players keep coming back, which is what you need for a popular server.

Have some novelty in your rules - don't flog the "no noob tube" rule to death like most other servers. Make sure people know it is a "fun" server and talk to your guests! Talking over in-game chat is a great way to make new friends and get people coming back to your server.

The clan I am in now started off with 2 people, on a 12 man server. Doing what I have detailed above, we have expanded very quickly, and got several more servers thanks to the donations of countless regulars who joined the clan. Our (now 18 man) pub server is now in the top 10% of all COD4 servers (and that is with absolutely no promotion on sites such as this). Streaming to PBBans has also made our server more popular - as it is well known to be cheat free with very proactive admins. Other things like PBBans offer such as automated server greetings can make someone's experience on a server that little bit more personal. Every little bit helps!

Good luck with your servers mate - add me on Xfire if you hit troubles with anything :)