Commercial Hosting

Zapmeister · #1 February 5th, 2004, 05:14 AM

One difficulty with network games at the moment is that the host is invariably also a player, and if/when that player is knocked out of the game, he/she is still saddled with the task of running a game in which they have no further interest.

One possible solution to this would be a paid hosting service. Someone to dedicate some hardware and administration time to hosting Dominions not because they're playing, but because they're being paid.

Would this be legal? At (say) US$10 per player per game, would it get customers? If not, how much should it cost? If so, would it be worthwhile from the host's perspective?

Xavier · #2 February 5th, 2004, 05:52 AM

I'd happily provide near-24/7 hosting at even $5/player ($85 for a game that potentially go on for 3 months...). The only times the server would go down would be for very infrequent and short restarts, and when the server quickhosts and crashes while I'm out. I would also keep whatever force-hosting schedule the players desired (up to once daily, which would have to be at a time determined by me - I can't host when I'm not at home or when I'm sleeping). I would also provide a forum post or email players every time the server hosted.

Argitoth · #3 February 5th, 2004, 06:12 AM

I think this is just dumb... pay someone to run a server????

Pfft, I'd do it for free.

Another thing, why would someone pay PER PLAYER? More players hardly change anything. It doesn't take up more bandwith that's for sure, it doesn't take more hardware power...

A server is only worth a mere 10$ a month no matter how many players are in one game.

[ February 05, 2004, 04:20: Message edited by: Argitoth ]

Xavier · #4 February 5th, 2004, 06:17 AM

Quote:

I think this is just dumb... pay someone to run a server????

Pfft, I'd do it for free.

Fair enough, but how many games that you're not playing in would you be willing to host? If there're players who want consistant, quality hosting from someone who is not playing in the game, then I am happy to provide that service. For a fee, because as I see it my time and effort is worth something.

Gandalf Parker · #5 February 5th, 2004, 06:18 AM

I have hosted others peoples games on my server.
The problem is that the game doesnt have an efficient seperate hosting program. And most machines cant handle running more than 1 or 2 games at a time which can Last months.
A machine could handle many PBEM (email/ftp) Versions of the games but people dont seem to like those.

There has been a project to try and create a web-based signup and file managment for games. (do a search on server) That would offer probably the best of both worlds. Any old thow-away computer in someones closet could host a hundred games on a DSL or Cable connection that way. I have offered my server (linux) and shrapnel offered its server (windows) to host such a project. The pieces of it are mostly ironed out I think, but no one has jumped on the idea.

[ February 05, 2004, 04:19: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

Xavier · #6 February 5th, 2004, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Another thing, why would someone pay PER PLAYER? More players hardly change anything. It doesn't take up more bandwith that's for sure, it doesn't take more hardware power...

A server is only worth a mere 10$ a month no matter how many players are in one game.

I just saw this edit - $10/month sounds pretty reasonable for one game as well. I thought the per player price was good for the sole reason that games tend to Last longer the more players there are. A monthly fee would handle this even better.