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.

Graeme Dice · #7 February 5th, 2004, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
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.

What we need to do is get the SEIV PBW people addicted to Dominions, so that they will set up their software to also host automated Dominions games.

Xavier · #8 February 5th, 2004, 06:30 AM

Quote:

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.

One of the first things I would do with the proceeds from hosting would be to purchase more RAM to host more servers

Quote:

There has been a project to try and create a web-based signup and file managment for games.

I saw this thread a week or so ago, but I didn't look too closely and was under the impression that the project was still underway. How much space is required? Does it need to be hosted from a server with Dom2 installed, or can the person running the game do it remotely? If it has to be hosted from a Dom2-capable computer, can I get some cursory assistance with web hosting?

I'd be happy to host games this way.

Norfleet · #9 February 5th, 2004, 10:43 AM

The problem with Dominions II hosting is that Dominions II hosting, even dedicated hosting, requires a fair amount of human attention. Battle reports as of v2.06 still retain the cross-platform compatibility bug which causes battles viewed when the server and client OS differ to have no relation to their reported results. Plus, at least in the Windows Version, the Dominions II server seems to handle forced disconnection poorly: If a player crashes or lags out, it seems to leave behind a memory leak which is reflected in the increasingly inaccurate "active players" count. Eventually, the server program grinds to a halt under the weight of these dead connections and has to be rebooted.

MythicalMino · #10 February 5th, 2004, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Graeme Dice:

quote:
Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
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.

What we need to do is get the SEIV PBW people addicted to Dominions, so that they will set up their software to also host automated Dominions games.

heh....i have been talking to the guy that runs the SE4 PBM....just go talk to him on the SE4 board....