Source
r/badcompany2•
passingthrough

Help filling a 32-man server?

I'm having problems trying to populate my 32-man server. Does anyone have tips of attracting (and keeping) players? I know there's definitely a critical mass at about 16 people but getting to that point seems impossible these days. I got the server for the month and I would keep it longer but right now having <10 people on a good night is disheartening. Any help/tips appreciated.

Update: We finally filled the server last night and we're still full at this moment. Thanks for the tips and we'd love to see you guys out.

Posted May 7, 2010, 8:03 PM UTC · edited

321
littleredrexeckosof•

Server name is extremely important. When released server names were case sensitive. So lets say for example, Reddit Server - Atlanta. If anyone liked your server and wanted to return and it was not in history or whatever they could only find it if they seached for it exactly how it is.

We added both types to our server name just so no matter what someone searched for they would find it.

It's also good to put location in the server name and type of game mode.

There are also certain maps that kill servers. Nelson bay being one of them. On multiple occasions I've re-added it to the maplist but every time when it gets to that map it kills half the server.

Less is more, Avoid message spam that some admin tools allow you to do. People dont like being spammed with TS info and clan urls ect.

You obviously know about the new soldier trick so use that as much as possible. There is also a second trick that happens when that new soldier leaves the server. I haven't exactly figured it out but I know for a fact it works.

Every morning when you wake up or at night before going to bed do the new soldier trick, Once you get 12-16 people in the server goes to auto-pilot.

Remove the censors from guardian if your using it.

Thats all I got, Wish I could help more.

7
passingthroughOPG13 Canuck•

Awesome info, can't upvote your enough. We've got most of those points covered but I think I'm going to add Toronto into the name, remove our clan tag and remove 'all maps' since I've just removed Neslon Bay from the lineup.

Our sever banner is awesome though!

1
FrothyleetMaurs•

Frankly, if I saw your banner as I was loading, my first thought would be "annoying" rather than "awesome." I'll still play on your server if you tell us the IP though!

2
passingthroughOPG13 Canuck•

IP is 208.167.232.13:19567

1
ShadowinfinityShadowinfinity (PC)•

Agreed, I went to the server when it was posted a few days ago and it didn't exactly make me want to stay.

That and there was nobody there, but hopefully that'll change. It is still in my favorites, I'll visit again sometime.

1
passingthroughOPG13 Canuck•

The banner is all in fun ... no offense.

Also I'm proud to say after some hard work we finally filled the server last night. It's true about the critical mass, as soon as we hit 20 people is was just a flood after that. It's still full right now! awesome!

1
house_absoluteHouse Absolute•

Can I ask a question? Maybe this belongs in another post, but I want to know this:

Why do you run a server? What are you getting out of it? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that you are because that's one more place I might decide to play. But the motivation is interesting to me.

3
passingthroughOPG13 Canuck•

I run a server just for the fun of it... Me and 3 friends split the cost which is about 5 coffees for the month ($10). I really don't mind the cost but when the server is empty it sucks. It's nice to have a server fully populated that's yours.

1
[deleted]•

Is it HC? Then I'll come play on it some time.

1
passingthroughOPG13 Canuck•

it's not... seems like Rush is the most popular so that's what we're running. We had mixed mode on the other night with all Rush and a couple of the better conquest maps but as soon as it switched ... boom, everyone leaves. Seems like I need to make a sacrifice or something to populate the server.

1
culdesaclamort•

Conquest is a bit disheartening and drawn out. Rush can be quick and "fun". Rush-only servers are pretty populated, from what I've seen.

1
passingthroughOPG13 Canuck•

That's why we're sticking with a rush server ... I only put in 2 conquest maps and they were the good ones but people dropped immediately on switching so I won't be doing that again.

1
mtnkodiak[9FA]Mountain Kodiak•

In my experience, ping is important. If your server doesn't give anyone a good ping, then no one will join since (imho) most players sort by ping.

Another positive aspect is having an active admin around. I think players will come back when they see that griefers and troublemakers are dealt with quickly. We typically will warn a player publicly (via a "yell") once, and if the behavior continues, we kick. We haven't banned yet, and in several cases, the kicked player returned later with a much better attitude.

1
wtfdaveitsthatguy•

Yeah, when I find out a server is mixed, as soon as a conquest map loads... I drop out.

1
torejTorb•

Why not set it to 16 or 24 players then? Less chaos and more fun.

1
house_absoluteHouse Absolute•

I agree. In a 32 man server you just become part of the blob. You could differentiate yourself with twelve or eight-man teams.

2
mik3Comrade-zEE•

this is exactly why i started playing in 16 player servers, otherwise theres just waaaaaaaay too much stuff happening.

1
RinickulousRinick•

If you like mixed mode it might help to find space for that in the server name, some people get in the mood for rush and don't want unexpected changes so they leave and go find a rush 24/7 server. I myself enjoy mixed modes so I don't get burnt out on either one.

1
passingthroughOPG13 Canuck•

I like mixed but only for a few of the conquest maps... for the sake of the server I'm going to keep it on 24/7 rush.

1