Online gaming is a massive industry. The Entertainment Software Association says that 69 per cent of Americans play computer and video games, and 44 per cent of those play games online. Other researchers suggests that there are more than 13 million people playing MMOGs (massively multiplayer online games) worldwide. At close to $4 billion, online gaming is a huge market. That's why so many people like the idea of hosting a gaming server. After all if you already love gaming and spend a lot of time online, what could be better than going one step further and making some money while you're at it?
There are many other reasons why people may choose to host a gaming server. In many cases, it boils down to wanting to have more control of the online gaming environment than they can get from someone else's servers. Your own server means creating your own rules and a gaming atmosphere that you like, as well as the freedom to make modifications to the game that is running or update what you offer whenever you like.
Types Of Gaming Servers :
When it comes to online gaming, there are two main types of server: centralized servers and distributed servers. Centralized servers tend to be used for MMOGs such as World of Warcraft and are often run by the companies that provide the software. If you are thinking of hosting a gaming server with other types of games, then you will need a distributed server. As the name suggests a distributed server is one of a number of servers that takes the game from a master server. The key to the success of a distributed server is ping - the length of time it takes for a packet of data to be transmitted from a game client to your server and back again. With ping, the lower the better, as the gaming experience will be smoother.
So what do you need to host a game server? The server is the key to a good gaming experience for both you and your users. They want a smooth and seamless game - and so do you, otherwise you will spend more time on tech support than on gaming. When choosing a gaming server, it's important to think about the hardware you will need. This will vary depending on the game you are running. Some games may need a high powered CPU while other games will be less memory intensive. So you need to find the best combination of CPU speed and memory for your games.
You can use your own PC as a listen server, but every time you shut it down the game will end and you won't be able to host many gamers. And for the best experience for all, you shouldn't play the game on your server, but on another PC. Instead consider a dedicated server. A major decision is whether you are going to rent or own a server. Owning your own server means that you are in full control, but you will have to be responsible for all maintenance and support, which can take up the time you would rather spend gaming. Having support on tap and backups will be essential if you are not to lose your customers.
Thinking About Bandwidth :
You also need to think about the bandwidth you will need for running the games. A domestic cable or ADSL line may not provide the bandwidth and reliability you need as a gaming server provider and on a domestic internet connection there will be limits to the number of gamers that can play at any one time. Think about getting an even higher speed line for the best gaming experience for all.
An easier option is to pay a monthly fee to set up a gaming server on another company's equipment and use their bandwidth. This has the advantage of having almost unlimited bandwidth plus you don't have to worry about maintenance. This option will give you access to Windows or Linux/Free BSD servers, with a number of popular first person shooter and other games. You will have a gaming control panel to control games, mods and other aspects of the gaming environment.
However, there will be limits to the number and types of games, mods and maps you can offer as these will be regulated by the gaming server provider. Popular games include Call of Duty, Counter Strike, Day of Defeat, Doom 3, Half-Life, Natural Selection, Medal of Honor, Halo and Unreal Tournament, though there are many others. You will need to shop around for a provider as they all offer different games and mods.
The Importance Of Admin :
If you are hosting a gaming server, good admin is what will keep gamers loyal. One part of being a good admin is being an active part of the gaming community. That means knowing and playing the game and taking part in discussions about what would improve the experience for gamers. Then all you have to do is put those suggestions into action.
Gaming is about fun, so a good admin has to minimize personal attacks, team killing, aimbots, software exploits and other forms of cheating as this will ruin the experience for most people. These practices need to be stamped on hard so that players will keep coming back. If you are running your own server then anti cheat software is a must. Most dedicated server companies provide anti cheat software (such as BanHammer, DMW Anticheat, GameGaurd, HackCam, Punkbuster or Valve Anti Cheat) as standard and will install more if requested by you. Lists of banned players (such as those provided by Punksbusted) are another anti cheat tool - these can be streamed between servers very quickly.
Game server providers will usually have their own rules, most of which will be enforced by the anti cheating software. If you are running the server, you may also have rules. It is important for the rules to be clear and for you and other admins to deal with breaches of the rules as soon as possible.
Many of those who host game servers say it is difficult to make money. Either you pay for equipment or you pay rental and this can be costly if you are funding it on your own. Don't expect to break even for a few months and you can anticipate dozens of support tickets each day from gamers. But if you love gaming and would be online anyway, there's nothing to stop you from giving it a try
There are many other reasons why people may choose to host a gaming server. In many cases, it boils down to wanting to have more control of the online gaming environment than they can get from someone else's servers. Your own server means creating your own rules and a gaming atmosphere that you like, as well as the freedom to make modifications to the game that is running or update what you offer whenever you like.
Types Of Gaming Servers :
When it comes to online gaming, there are two main types of server: centralized servers and distributed servers. Centralized servers tend to be used for MMOGs such as World of Warcraft and are often run by the companies that provide the software. If you are thinking of hosting a gaming server with other types of games, then you will need a distributed server. As the name suggests a distributed server is one of a number of servers that takes the game from a master server. The key to the success of a distributed server is ping - the length of time it takes for a packet of data to be transmitted from a game client to your server and back again. With ping, the lower the better, as the gaming experience will be smoother.
So what do you need to host a game server? The server is the key to a good gaming experience for both you and your users. They want a smooth and seamless game - and so do you, otherwise you will spend more time on tech support than on gaming. When choosing a gaming server, it's important to think about the hardware you will need. This will vary depending on the game you are running. Some games may need a high powered CPU while other games will be less memory intensive. So you need to find the best combination of CPU speed and memory for your games.
You can use your own PC as a listen server, but every time you shut it down the game will end and you won't be able to host many gamers. And for the best experience for all, you shouldn't play the game on your server, but on another PC. Instead consider a dedicated server. A major decision is whether you are going to rent or own a server. Owning your own server means that you are in full control, but you will have to be responsible for all maintenance and support, which can take up the time you would rather spend gaming. Having support on tap and backups will be essential if you are not to lose your customers.
Thinking About Bandwidth :
You also need to think about the bandwidth you will need for running the games. A domestic cable or ADSL line may not provide the bandwidth and reliability you need as a gaming server provider and on a domestic internet connection there will be limits to the number of gamers that can play at any one time. Think about getting an even higher speed line for the best gaming experience for all.
An easier option is to pay a monthly fee to set up a gaming server on another company's equipment and use their bandwidth. This has the advantage of having almost unlimited bandwidth plus you don't have to worry about maintenance. This option will give you access to Windows or Linux/Free BSD servers, with a number of popular first person shooter and other games. You will have a gaming control panel to control games, mods and other aspects of the gaming environment.
However, there will be limits to the number and types of games, mods and maps you can offer as these will be regulated by the gaming server provider. Popular games include Call of Duty, Counter Strike, Day of Defeat, Doom 3, Half-Life, Natural Selection, Medal of Honor, Halo and Unreal Tournament, though there are many others. You will need to shop around for a provider as they all offer different games and mods.
The Importance Of Admin :
If you are hosting a gaming server, good admin is what will keep gamers loyal. One part of being a good admin is being an active part of the gaming community. That means knowing and playing the game and taking part in discussions about what would improve the experience for gamers. Then all you have to do is put those suggestions into action.
Gaming is about fun, so a good admin has to minimize personal attacks, team killing, aimbots, software exploits and other forms of cheating as this will ruin the experience for most people. These practices need to be stamped on hard so that players will keep coming back. If you are running your own server then anti cheat software is a must. Most dedicated server companies provide anti cheat software (such as BanHammer, DMW Anticheat, GameGaurd, HackCam, Punkbuster or Valve Anti Cheat) as standard and will install more if requested by you. Lists of banned players (such as those provided by Punksbusted) are another anti cheat tool - these can be streamed between servers very quickly.
Game server providers will usually have their own rules, most of which will be enforced by the anti cheating software. If you are running the server, you may also have rules. It is important for the rules to be clear and for you and other admins to deal with breaches of the rules as soon as possible.
Many of those who host game servers say it is difficult to make money. Either you pay for equipment or you pay rental and this can be costly if you are funding it on your own. Don't expect to break even for a few months and you can anticipate dozens of support tickets each day from gamers. But if you love gaming and would be online anyway, there's nothing to stop you from giving it a try
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