Way to keep smaller-player-count servers populated
Racer1
Join Date: 2002-11-22 Member: 9615Members
Join Date: 2002-11-22 Member: 9615Members
Set up some server pools that auto-populate using a 3rd party mod. You start with 2+ of 14-18 player servers, with 2+ 24-32 player servers as feeders. Numbered 1,2,3,4,5,6, etc. respectively, with the 14-18 slot servers always listed first.
When you join any of these servers, it automatically marks you as being "recruitable", but you can choose to opt-out if you wish. Every minute, the server will check with the other pool servers with a number below yours, starting at server 1.
If a server has at least 2 players below their max for at least 30 seconds (and is not empty), it will ask random "recruitable" player(s) if they want to be "promoted" to a different server. If you accept, it will connect you to the new server. If you reject, it will put you on the "hold" list for 5 minutes (or until your round ends) and ask again (unless you opt-out).
The only reason this might not work is people hate the horribly long time it takes to join a server in NS2, so everyone opts out. I don't have a solution for that. Otherwise, I think people might actually enjoy the chance of being "promoted" all the way up to server #1 and stay on longer once they get there, because they are more likely to stay populated the whole time.
Note: Servers on the server pool wouldn't necessarily even have to be owned/controlled by a single admin. As long as servers agree to install the "pool" mod and agree on a server number order, it could work.
TLDR: Auto-ask players on the larger-count servers in the pool if they want to be promoted to other (smaller count) servers.
When you join any of these servers, it automatically marks you as being "recruitable", but you can choose to opt-out if you wish. Every minute, the server will check with the other pool servers with a number below yours, starting at server 1.
If a server has at least 2 players below their max for at least 30 seconds (and is not empty), it will ask random "recruitable" player(s) if they want to be "promoted" to a different server. If you accept, it will connect you to the new server. If you reject, it will put you on the "hold" list for 5 minutes (or until your round ends) and ask again (unless you opt-out).
The only reason this might not work is people hate the horribly long time it takes to join a server in NS2, so everyone opts out. I don't have a solution for that. Otherwise, I think people might actually enjoy the chance of being "promoted" all the way up to server #1 and stay on longer once they get there, because they are more likely to stay populated the whole time.
Note: Servers on the server pool wouldn't necessarily even have to be owned/controlled by a single admin. As long as servers agree to install the "pool" mod and agree on a server number order, it could work.
TLDR: Auto-ask players on the larger-count servers in the pool if they want to be promoted to other (smaller count) servers.