Dedicated Servers - NOT Listen

[ChillyWI]

I've done a forum search and much of the dedicated server talk seems to be people arguing the MW2 method (very little support) versus the BFBC2 method. There's a third option that's historically far more popular... user owned dedicated servers.

I understand DICE wants to prevent listen servers...
So just don't provide listen server functionality.

I understand DICE wants high quality servers...
So make sure the server browser accurately shows pings.

I understand DICE wants to eliminate excessive server modding...
So remove any external API support.

I have a work server I could use to easily run 2-3 32 slot servers and I have the experience of running servers from a large variety of games in the past (Quake, Quake 2, Quake 3, COD, COD2, TF2, L4D, L4D2, Killing Floor). So why prevent people like me from saving $30-40/month by forcing us to use a hosting partner?

EDIT: It'd even be possible to restrict the server daemon so it only accepts as many clients as the CPU can realistically handle. That would prevent low quality, overloaded servers.

[Sk1lld]

I've done a forum search and much of the dedicated server talk seems to be people arguing the MW2 method (very little support) versus the BFBC2 method. There's a third option that's historically far more popular... user owned dedicated servers.

I understand DICE wants to prevent listen servers...
So just don't provide listen server functionality.

I understand DICE wants high quality servers...
So make sure the server browser accurately shows pings.

I understand DICE wants to eliminate excessive server modding...
So remove any external API support.

I have a work server I could use to easily run 2-3 32 slot servers and I have the experience of running servers from a large variety of games in the past (Quake, Quake 2, Quake 3, COD, COD2, TF2, L4D, L4D2, Killing Floor). So why prevent people like me from saving $30-40/month by forcing us to use a hosting partner?

EDIT: It'd even be possible to restrict the server daemon so it only accepts as many clients as the CPU can realistically handle. That would prevent low quality, overloaded servers.

Not gonna happen, just like MW2 getting servers. it's to late in production. The game has been released.

Something like this would require the game to be rebuilt around this method.

[ChillyWI]

Not gonna happen, just like MW2 getting servers. it's to late in production. The game has been released.

Something like this would require the game to be rebuilt around this method.

Not at all. The game itself wouldn't vary at all. They would just need a proper installer and updater for the server daemon, if one doesn't exist already. The game just knows they're dedicated servers, not who is actually running them.

[sHuRuLuNi]

They dont have to modify ANYTHING.
They already have the Dedi Files which they provide to their "selected" Gameserver Hosters.
They would just have to release those files in public and thats it.
This way I could finally setup my own dedi server ON THE MACHINE I SPECIFICALLY bought because of this game.
So disappointed. I DO NOT want to rent a server at some XY company - I have MY OWN servers!

[viehrea_siili]

They want money. The game hosters give money to DICE to get the dedi servers.

[shym]

They want money.
Bad company... really.

[The_Gump]

$$$$ and its about restricting access to the server client....

So people cant put up hacked servers where anything go's... it also makes it easier for hackers to pull apart the code and make hacks more effective if they can get there hands on the server client.

[Casemaker]

$$$$ and its about restricting access to the server client....

So people cant put up hacked servers where anything go's... it also makes it easier for hackers to pull apart the code and make hacks more effective if they can get there hands on the server client.

You really think those files will stay out of crackers/coders hands because they've been given to "selected" online Game Hosting Companies....filled with active. payed gamers.

Riiiiiight.

[s0beit]

You'll find the situation gets worse, as my "hosting partner" hasn't given me a server i paid for, for over a week because EA has stopped them from doing so.

Ride the wave, sir.

[THE Nakedgun]

You'll find the situation gets worse, as my "hosting partner" hasn't given me a server i paid for, for over a week because EA has stopped them from doing so.

Ride the wave, sir.

This is probably why, alot of GSP are in the same boat :(
Bad Company 2 Orders are temporarily on hold until DICE/EA resolves the Master Server issues.

[Batman Runner]

Dice/Ea make money from the official providers(its a give-give situation)

it also avoid independent providers from running stats padding servers as they are tied by contract.Dice/Ea seem to take the leveling in this game pretty seriously.

what we need tho is moding tools.
and non punkbuster servers shouldnt be ranked.
ranked non-pb server just defeat the purpose