Rookie Free Servers
KingKahuna[KKG]™![KingKahuna[KKG]™](https://forumsdata.unknownworlds.com/uploads/userpics/279/n6LX7DO8KT5TC.jpg)
Join Date: 2002-11-21 Member: 9507Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
Join Date: 2002-11-21 Member: 9507Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
We have just implemented rookie free status on hives 1-3. Unless you have logged enough time on TheHive, you can't join a team. Hives 4-7, rookies can join, but can't command. There, they can earn hours on the Hive ranking system.
So, if you're looking for Rookie Free, we're the place to play.
So, if you're looking for Rookie Free, we're the place to play.
Comments
We have 4 servers dedicated to rookie friendly game play. Rookies only need 10hrs of game play to join hives 1-3, or command on hives 4-7.
Chicago, directly in middle of the lower 48.
24 player count on all 7 servers.
Imho every server network should offer at least one rookie only server beside the normal servers, where rookies can make their first steps with each other and discover the game like we vets did.
But that's up to every server admin himself.
Not well known but look at this: https://github.com/BrightPaul/NS2Stats.com/wiki/EloTeamRestriction
Set MaxElo to 1600 and MaxPlaytime to 1200 (20*60) and you're done.
NS2 Stats only pulls info from a set number of servers. So yes, in theory your mod works if every person only played on servers with Shine/NS2stats mod... but they don't. Like I said, if you really want a rookie friendly environment, you have to babysit the server 24/7.
Not really adding this mod for that reason. Although, it's a benefit, if the server admins run their servers properly.
In fact, servers without active admins to quell pub-stomping (as is a habit by some of the pro-players), nothing will prevent the above mentioned problem. Furthermore, this is the main reason for us adding this mod to our servers. It gives the more experienced players, and the pro-players (and we have a lot that play here) a place to actually enjoy competitive public play, without the risk of running off new players. That's the reason for adding this mod in a nut shell.
This is an excellent idea, but 99.9% of the server administrators only run 1 server. I like your suggestion, and will consider making 1 of my 7 servers rookie friendly; for the exact reason you mentioned.
This, I can agree with completely. However, when done, people whine, complain, cry, and call the server admins names. Those are the risks. I personally don't mind the risks, and try my best to do a good job at your recommendation. Excellent comment, btw.
I remember national gaming doing this except they used I think a 18 pop server. In the end the issue boils down to limiting the chances your server will die when 3-5 people leave at the end of a round. It was always harder keeping servers full the lower you got with the pop.
While what you say is true, it is still possible to have a 18 slot server populated until late at night. I think KKG is popular enough to do it.
Big shame.
I'd like to note that this server shut down a few weeks ago, I have since then opened 2 servers called ISEGaming Noobs Only (< 100 Hours) with my team of 6 Admins. We will continue to try our best to keep abusive vet's out, but allowing vets to command or spectate.
We check their steam, and if it is private or unavailable then we check the Hive, which in itself isn't totally reliable.
However, no mod can protect rookies against the following.
Pro players with Smurf accounts (Easy when the sales are so cheap, yes people do this sadly)
People who are under 100 hours, but are rampaging consistently.
My admins and I watch people's player patterns when these situations arise and ask them to command or spectate with plenty of warning both through text and voice.
Unsurprisingly the majority of these people ignore our warnings and somehow ignore the name of the server and are kicked to get their attention, should they return without desire to follow the rules, they will be banned.
This takes a lot of work, but I do want to encourage that vets come and help out only in a commander's role, or spectating and providing tips. Game's are very fun for everyone if 2 experienced commanders put the rookies first and face off against one another.
the only thing i have to say is... sentry first is an incredibly viable strategy. i've gone 62-0 as commander during one of the old steam sales...
Kudos to you sir.
And if someone wants to avoid to be blocked he can mange to do this. (smurf account / loosing rounds etc.)
@It'sSuperEffective! : You might want to test it
Hive 4 is Rookie Only server. Thanks for the suggestion.
Sorry you feel that way. We have tried 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 player server counts before. In fact, for 6 months (at least) we did this. The lower count servers are not played as often, die quickly, and people asking for 24 player servers being added. When you have 175 people playing each min. of the day on your servers making a request to change, you listen.
I think most prefer numbers middling, 16 to 20. small servers die quickly if just a couple people leave, and 24 man servers are tolerable and populated by newer players who like a less stressful environment to learn the ropes. and as newer players like big servers and older players like middling to smaller servers, big servers win. I tend to avoid 24 man servers if there are options. and for me, it's a tossup 18 or 20. 16 man games are fine, but if it gets down to12 or 14, it starts to get highly dependent on the quality of your teammates and the comm.
I will address the player count issue this one last time. Feel free to take it or leave it, makes no difference really.
@amoral writes, "I think most prefer numbers middling, 16 to 20... and as newer player like big servers and older players like middling to smaller servers, big servers win."
There is obvious contradiction here. Either most people like middling number servers, or they don't. Either newer players like big servers, or they don't. All that's hookie pookie fairy dust, really. How does one get to the correct answer? Easy. They look at the trend of the actual players themselves. Just as an example please: @amoral joined these forums 1/3/13, using his logic, he would be a newer player; as many of us have been around for much longer. In my case, 10 years, almost 11 years. During the NS1 days, we ran 30 game servers, all full, all day long, 24hrs a day. Every single one 24 players. You do the math. Currently, we have 7 NS2 servers running. We keep 7 servers full almost all day long. You do the math. At any given point in time during the USA playing day, we server about 40% of the player base. That's just us though. Take a look at the other servers running that are full. They all run 24 player count servers. If you total up the servers being offered that are less than 24 players, they are a very small handful. They are either empty, 1/2 full, and they come and they go.
The argument over player counts with balance, and other things is just noise really. It's very clear, and simple to see; MOST players prefer 24 player servers. That's just the facts. No "opinions", No "I think", or "I feel", it's just easy to observe facts. Feel free to do with them as you wish.
@james888 writes, "I do wonder how many of us veteran pubbers who prefer 20p or less out there exist?"
I hope I was able to answer your question.
I'm done with player count discussions. Can we please get back to what this topic was about, Rookie Only/Rookie Free servers.
@ItsSuperEffective! "Pro players with Smurf accounts (Easy when the sales are so cheap, yes people do this sadly)
People who are under 100 hours, but are rampaging consistently."
Agreed with your remarks. It's sad. It's shameful actually. I do appreciate you for bringing that point up. This is the exact reason we have moved towards this direction with our server choices. It's these same people who are always trolling, name calling, and when server owners ban them, kick them, they come here crying when they are removed from someone's server(s). Furthermore, it's shameful that other "pro-players" support and condone their behavior, as __________________. But, you sir have nailed it totally. Thank you for your comment.
@Quendrastorm writes "the ns2 community should be friendly to its rookies as they decide the future of the game"
I couldn't agree more. This is the reason we have the ONLY Rookie Only server being offered in the USA.
Thanks,
Does this mean I am not banned from your rookie free servers? X_X