<!--quoteo(post=1594893:date=Jan 4 2007, 05:42 PM:name=Fall0ut)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fall0ut @ Jan 4 2007, 05:42 PM) [snapback]1594893[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> Sorry puzl, but I have to disagree. Nothing erks me more then getting kicked halfway thru a game buy a reserved slot holder after I have been playing on it for 30+ minutes or more. ( the Tactical server for instance)
When that happens I just turn steam off and leave the computer. I have been playing this game for many years now and consider myself a very dedicated, loyal, and donating member of this game. I do not feel I deserve that.
If your server is full then it is full ...don't just BOOT people for a reserved slot please. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Reserve slots are what keep the server alive. We will be giving out slots to those who have shown that they are dedicated to the community.
When we feel that we are up to par again, we will be taking donations in exchange for reserve slots. Donations allow for maintaining and possibly upgrading it.
We are re doing the reserve slot system so that when, your purchase one, it applies to ALL of our servers, not just NS, and it will most likely be the same price.
ALLOW DCS TO HEAL <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/pudgy.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::gorge::" border="0" alt="pudgy.gif" /> AFTER LAST HIVE IS DEAD<i>!!!</i>
WyzcrakPot Pie AficionadoJoin Date: 2002-12-04Member: 10447Forum Moderators, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
<!--quoteo(post=1594972:date=Jan 4 2007, 09:56 PM:name=Firewater)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Firewater @ Jan 4 2007, 09:56 PM) [snapback]1594972[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->dedicated to the community.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Ideally, that's another way of saying 'dedicated to one another', and, FWIW, it is what most enables the success of a community, online or otherwise, regardless of what other attributes the community adopts.
Surround and engorge NSA with good people, and be quick to remind those good people that they are surrounded by good people. Measure 'good' how you will, but encourage others to attach to those around them who also are 'good.'
I've seen that allow my gaming community to thrive year after year after year after year, and there's no reason why the same solution can't work for yours. It becomes particularly powerful in multi-game communities, such as Tactical Gamer (and now NSA), where player crossovers from game to game, without ever leaving the community-managed servers, is quite common, as is seeing your friends from Game A when you join the server for Game B. Providing reserved slots to servers for multiple games via one single subscription has also worked quite well. I recommend it. All of that, if properly managed, falls back into your quote above.
It's exciting to watch this unfold. Worthwhile creation is always fun to witness.
<!--quoteo(post=1594829:date=Jan 4 2007, 06:38 PM:name=Firewater)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Firewater @ Jan 4 2007, 06:38 PM) [snapback]1594829[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> The problem with removing combat from the server is that combat is our server "starter". While I agree its a lower form of gameplay than classic, we just use combat to bring people in so we can play classic. Rounds are set to 18 minutes to allow plenty of people to join, and then assuming there are enough, we switch to classic. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Just curious about this. Wont the players leave when they see that youre switching from combat to classic?
What I mean with this is that combat attracts a different kind of person, sometimes one who only wants to play combat. I don't know for sure, but I've seen that happen a lot of times.
prahaps only leave two really nice CO maps that show the balance and feel you guys want in a server, or do a monthly vote to cycle those two co maps, keep the rest classic, and pick a good player limit that compliments both
like me and puzl said you gotta kick start it two weeks consistant, prompte peak starts and you will set the ball rolling
mods /stuck /show res, its comeing in 3.2 awards
and i belive you truely should look into the really good custom NS maps there are mappers out there who have put in a lot of effort and have made some truely brilliant works of art that i and many others belive should be put into the stock ns, NO seige altho there area a few really nicely detailed seige maps out there and NO unlimited res maps or multi hive rooms, multi hives unless the map its self still retains res control balance and is made in such a way its enjoyable.
please i implore you to go cheack out the mapping forum and ask the trolls there some of the best custom classics of all time and go thru and pick at them like a fat kid at a smorgus board.
<!--quoteo(post=1595002:date=Jan 5 2007, 03:07 AM:name=Johnie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Johnie @ Jan 5 2007, 03:07 AM) [snapback]1595002[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> Just curious about this. Wont the players leave when they see that youre switching from combat to classic?
What I mean with this is that combat attracts a different kind of person, sometimes one who only wants to play combat. I don't know for sure, but I've seen that happen a lot of times. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
While it is true, combat does attract players that sometimes do not want to play classic NS, but often times it does attract players who want to play classic as well.
The games yesterday and the day before prove just that, we were able to fill the server and run a few NS games after that.
See the thing is, we need only around 8 or 9 CO players left over for when the map changes from combat to classic. Especially in Today's NS world, people are desperately searching for a server that meets their needs, so provided there is a decent amount of players left over from CO, a great classic game can start and continue from map to map because of the current server situation, as well as having enough players in the server already to attract those who only join classic when there is a decent amount of players in the sever already.
What I can definitely promise is the following:
Classic play over Combat
No game altering plugins (though there maybe some informative ones, i.e. team res, etc..)
Admins that don't need to use eAuthority to feel good about themselves. Kicking/Banning a player will only come as a last resort.
Strive for every game to be of high level gameplay. Its often sad to see in other servers that when 4 marines who are allegedly using teamwork be killed by a single skulk because they do not have the appropriate FPS skills. With the players we tend to attract, hopefully this will not be an issue. We support effective gameplay winning strategies, and aren't restricted by the often warped definition of what teamwork is.
If that means that myself and others have to swtich teams (despite numbers) to balance them, then so be it.
It all sounds pretty serious now. I love getting involved games but other more casual players might not what that. Are you prepared to knowingly exclude a more relaxed crowd. I dont mean 'OMG WTH l337 I4m hax0r' people cause they can get ###### and stayed ###### (or get CS), but some people don't really want super pressured games all the time.
I'd probably join your servers but my current internet BLOCKS STEAM. I'm like... shaking here,...so... so cold...
Hey man. I've seen many NS communities die recently, and it is sad.
At YO, we've been able to keep going though having a dedicated team of admins who constantly talk in IRC, and a great team of Regular players or 'Regs' with which 3 times a week, we shut off the server to everyone else and let them have a night of NS with just them. This encourages them to turn up, as games are consistently of a higher standard than public play. It also makes people in the community want to become a 'Reg'. We allow donations from anyone of any amount to server costs, and they get a special Icon in-game to say thanks. we also have a great nuumber of regular public players who love to get the server going first thing on a morning.
From the NSArmslab website, for me anyway, it looks like it's very geared into selling reserved slots. I dunno, it would put me off knowing all someone has to do is pay and they get preference over someone who's been playing on the server for ages.
I'd advise a complete overhaul. new site, new admins, new IP with a refocused vision of what you want NSArmsLab to be. These are just my personal opinions, not YO's. Keep going, I miss playing with the Americans across the pond.
It all sounds pretty serious now. I love getting involved games but other more casual players might not what that. Are you prepared to knowingly exclude a more relaxed crowd. I dont mean 'OMG WTH l337 I4m hax0r' people cause they can get ###### and stayed ###### (or get CS), but some people don't really want super pressured games all the time.
I'd probably join your servers but my current internet BLOCKS STEAM. I'm like... shaking here,...so... so cold... <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
We are not excluding anyone, people exclude themselves. We have a standard we want to set, either the players meet/exceed, try their best to meet it, or stop playing on the server. There are some casual players that will not have a problem fitting in with the server, some that will. NSArmslab is not that end all be all of game servers, its just merely another option. From what it seems however, NSarmslab is the game server that a lot of people having been asking for for a long time now.
We do not determine the type of player who connects to the server, we can only encourage certain gameplay behaviors, not force them. As stated previously, casual players who cannot fit the bill will leave on their own accord.
<!--quoteo(post=1595046:date=Jan 5 2007, 07:06 AM:name=Obraxis)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Obraxis @ Jan 5 2007, 07:06 AM) [snapback]1595046[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> Hey man. I've seen many NS communities die recently, and it is sad.
At YO, we've been able to keep going though having a dedicated team of admins who constantly talk in IRC, and a great team of Regular players or 'Regs' with which 3 times a week, we shut off the server to everyone else and let them have a night of NS with just them. This encourages them to turn up, as games are consistently of a higher standard than public play. It also makes people in the community want to become a 'Reg'. We allow donations from anyone of any amount to server costs, and they get a special Icon in-game to say thanks. we also have a great nuumber of regular public players who love to get the server going first thing on a morning.
From the NSArmslab website, for me anyway, it looks like it's very geared into selling reserved slots. I dunno, it would put me off knowing all someone has to do is pay and they get preference over someone who's been playing on the server for ages.
I'd advise a complete overhaul. new site, new admins, new IP with a refocused vision of what you want NSArmsLab to be. These are just my personal opinions, not YO's. Keep going, I miss playing with the Americans across the pond. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I have to disagree about reserve slots. Unfortunately we have to deal with reality, that life is full of limited resources. Every little donation goes towards the survival of NSAgames, myself or anyone else involved behind the scenes does not put any of that money in their pocket.
People that enjoy playing on the server should not have a problem paying the few dollars a month to play on a cluster of servers they truly enjoy (remember, reserve slots get added to ALL game servers, not just the NS one).
Having dedicated community members is an awesome thing, as they do keep the community going socially. Unfortunately, that does not pay the server bills. A reserve slot is a way of personally saying "thank you" to donating and keeping the server alive.
I totally understand about the finances and appreciate your opinions. NSArmsLab has been the only US NS server I've played on, as the quality of games was much higher than anywhere else across the pond (I've found anyway).
This is personally what I look for in servers in order of importance:
1. Decent, mature server admins 2. Vanilla NS maps (e.g. no infuriating pg plugins) 3. Skill level and teamwork of players (higher = more challenging = more fun) 4. Mature players (no one likes the idiots who whine about reg etc.) 5. 18-slots, more turns the game more and more into CO-type gameplay 6. Decent, enforced rules (no racism, ######ism etc.)
Btw: I really like playing on US servers (I'm Euro). I find people use voicechat much more and so there is 'generally' better teamwork and a friendlier atmosphere. American female accents also turn me on.
lol @ american female accents. i played at NSA in the past.
I didnt like what i saw,but was the past. Now i have better experience playing on US servers, than on EU. People seem more relaxed and willing to enjoy the game more, than most EU players.
what i look for on a server :
Regular players that seem to have a good time. People laughing,communicating and doing something collective. Admins that know their rules,place and server(s). No whining,muttering moaning and shouting/writing in caps. NS classic based maps (no nuked/blinged versions of standard mappack). A server that doesnt have a kabillion plugins to tell you from how far you shot xxx marines with a thoughtbullet as a skulk (an ability that you got from a plugin as vague as mona lisas face). A server that does 1 siege map or 3 CO maps as a break from NS map every 3-4NS maps orso. a variation in maps seems to stimulate rotation of players( ppl leave ppl join),and is a good and fun break from sometimes long games that NS classic maps can offer. People/admins/regs that are lenient towards players with lesser skills/experience and try to make an effort to try and make him/her want to stay on the server.
i wouldnt mind at all playing abit at NSA,but since im EU,ping will be high. dont give up guys, you'll figure this out <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
ssjyodaJoin Date: 2002-03-05Member: 274Members, Squad Five Blue
i know many ppl once they see it switch to a seige/co map will leave the server.. lots of ppl also filter out combat. nsa used to have no problems fillin up with strickly vanilla classic maps.
<!--quoteo(post=1595084:date=Jan 5 2007, 11:21 AM:name=ssjyoda)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ssjyoda @ Jan 5 2007, 11:21 AM) [snapback]1595084[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> i know many ppl once they see it switch to a seige/co map will leave the server.. lots of ppl also filter out combat. nsa used to have no problems fillin up with strickly vanilla classic maps. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
As of right now, because the community is slowly building up, we are going to run combat just to attract enough players to start a good NS game. This has worked well in the past couple of days, so we will continue to do so until we get enough regulars on there to just run classic only.
b/c he wants you to join the server and 'revenge' frag him for having him waste your time!!! no, i'm only kidding.
He wants your help in getting people to join there, and to add in any concerns, comments, or suggestions that you have pertaining to the server, as it has been empty for quite some time. =D
Firewater, I think if you had a points thing for bots like TG has, I think that'd be pretty cool <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />. I play on TG occasionally just to frag some bots w/ my uber shotgun. Then other people join and I get to frag them too. Then, after all is said and done, the map changes to NS...and I get to frag them there too. Note: the bots are only good for CO and should be limited to only when the server has fewer than like 6 human players. =D. Kinda like.....TG <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />.
<!--quoteo(post=1595103:date=Jan 5 2007, 12:37 PM:name=Fall0ut)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fall0ut @ Jan 5 2007, 12:37 PM) [snapback]1595103[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> With all due respect Firewater......
You sound as if you have already made up your mind as to what the server will & will not do. So it begs the question......
Why did you ask for ideas/help? <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sarisel.::' ( O ) ';:-. .-.:;' ( O ) '::.Join Date: 2003-07-30Member: 18557Members, Constellation
You'd think it would be quite obvious that Firewater is promoting the server. He asked for your help to populate the server. He asked for ideas about how to better attract people to join the server and honestly, removing combat is pretty stupid if the server is empty. People don't join empty or nearly-empty classic servers. So instead of whining, give ideas that actually make sense.
<!--quoteo(post=1595103:date=Jan 5 2007, 12:37 PM:name=Fall0ut)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fall0ut @ Jan 5 2007, 12:37 PM) [snapback]1595103[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> With all due respect Firewater......
You sound as if you have already made up your mind as to what the server will & will not do. So it begs the question......
Why did you ask for ideas/help? <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Just because I am refuting the present suggestions does not mean that there is something that I did not think of that could potentially be mentioned for the duration of this thread.
Also, just because one person makes a suggestion does not mean I should instantly change over. If several people make a suggestion, it may be worth trying out but as far as people almost feeling that they are telling us what to do instead of making suggestions with evidence to back up said claims, then that is just idiotic.
WyzcrakPot Pie AficionadoJoin Date: 2002-12-04Member: 10447Forum Moderators, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
<!--quoteo(post=1595107:date=Jan 5 2007, 11:51 AM:name=MasterPTG)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MasterPTG @ Jan 5 2007, 11:51 AM) [snapback]1595107[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Kinda like.....TG <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> If you pay close attention, this new design seems to adopt several things of the TG server, which has "thrived" while other servers "died".
The thread is a lot of fun to read, for me. It serves as validation of several of our "good" ideas (the desire to see them successfully implemented elsewhere, whether they one day are or not), and it genuinely is a good thing to have more of this "good" elsewhere. It's not like we (NS community) have a shortage of players ("lolo NS is dying"). It's not uncommon for three people to simultaneously attempt to join the server when a slot opens on TGNS, so there's clearly more players wanting to get in on this "good" than *we* have the capacity for (maybe we should increase our capacity, but this stuff's expensive <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />). Hopefully some of them will find their way to NSA's server and like what they see.
I would be willing to run an NSA banner on the <a href="http://www.nsmod.org/forums/index.php" target="_blank">modNS Community Forums</a>? header, which would rotate with three other banners.
Really, the main purpose of this thread is to try to keep the NS server alive. Its a post to let people that not only is it back, but we are trying to emulate for the most part what it make this arguably the most successful NS community. Right now, I try to seed the server everyday just by playing some combat, and generating enough interest to start a classic game. Everyday that either myself or someone do this, it seems that the server is filling up faster and faster everyday (of course thats anecdotal, I have no empirical evidence to support that claim in anyway as of yet).
While suggestions are appreciated, a lot of them are already implemented previously to this thread's existence, or just not reasonable to implement at all.
What we are really trying to do is salvage some of NS's former glory by offering a server that the people here want. It may not fit everyone's needs, but then again, no server does. We want to cater to the population that most people seem to be longing for.
As far as the banner, while it is appreciated, I don't think the people who frequent that website would be interested in the gameplay we are currently offering.
I stopped playing NSA servers back in the day b/c admins would keep running that da^% siege map like 3 times in a row ... and people would constantly CONSTANTLY mic spam. I was on the forums there, too, and kept tabs up. But then I just going to random servers with high player counts and lower pings. I generally avoid CO servers.
I hate being booted for reserved slot holder!! I, too, often will not play that kind of server anymore.
well as I said earlier ( I wish you would read the things I promised other than ranting blindly) we are making changes to the server for the better. However, that may not be still good enough for some people. So be it. We are going to have write-offs, there is nothing I can do about that other than compromising our core values which is unacceptable.
As far as reserve slots, again, the server does not pay for itsself. I know we like to think that just our prescence alone is enough, but in the end we can have the greatest regulars in the world, that keep the game fun interesting and fresh, but if we do not have the finances to continue that, then it doesn't matter.
Reserve slot is a thank you for donating, no more, no less. If you do not like getting kicked by reserve slots I suggest starting your own server community because I currently do not know of one that does not have reserve slots set up, for one reason or another.
Atleast with NSAgames, reserve slots are not based on one's likability or eSocial Status, its available to those who want to pay a minimal fee, can gain instant access to all of our servers at anytime.
No CO maps, none of this /xmenu /buildmenu /giveres /impulse 101 bs custom crap. People play G4B2S because of how <b>vanilla</b> it is. You could keep the seige maps, and the co maps in the database, but don't put them in the map cycle. NS maps only. If the people want to play a round of CO or seige, they can votemap, after the game has finished, it goes back to an NS map.
You also need the /stuck mod and votemap.<b>Thats it</b>.
Do this, and I will join your server. And so will many many more.
Oh, and please:
I was on the G4B2S server for 60 minutes straight, an exhilarating game. Working my ###### off, I was 33/6 or something like that. The game was a HUGE stalmate. Aliens had 2 hives, we were forced to relo to bio. So we held it for 60 minutes or so, while slowly attacking double, we seiged it, but the constant lerk gas, fade swipes and stomps held us from capping it. So after this 50-60 minutes, someone sneaks a PG @ one of the other hives and oblivious to the aliens, we had three seiges ready and were just about to ping it when...
"You have been kicked, reason: A donator has taken your slot"
You have no idea how ###### off I was. If NSA does that....
As stated previous, combat is just used to stimulate the server until we can get enough regulars to seed the server without playing combat.
Anyone willing to do so will be rewarded when we start to develop our reserve slot system again.
It seems really all we need to do is get either the old core group or a new one to populate the server. Myself, Biggnick and others have been doing it recently and the success continues hours after we have left.
But we can't be the only ones seeding the server all the times. Thats why we need more people to do just that, and when it gets to the point that the server is filled all hours of the day again, we will have no need to run combat any longer.
We are not at that point however.
If you are really peaved about getting kicked by a donator, I recommend again either paying the minimal fee to get access to the server so it doesn't happen again, OR find/create your own community that does not do a reserve slot system.
G4b2s alledeglly has 159 current donators. Thats potentially 159 people that can boot you off the server if you don't have a reserve slot.
NSA will kick for reserve slots, as donators are promised priority access to the game server. I'm sorry but thats how a majority of NS communities have setup their reserve slot system, and thats most likely how its going to continue.
Comments
Sorry puzl, but I have to disagree. Nothing erks me more then getting kicked halfway thru a game buy a reserved slot holder after I have been playing on it for 30+ minutes or more. ( the Tactical server for instance)
When that happens I just turn steam off and leave the computer. I have been playing this game for many years now and consider myself a very dedicated, loyal, and donating member of this game. I do not feel I deserve that.
If your server is full then it is full ...don't just BOOT people for a reserved slot please.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Reserve slots are what keep the server alive. We will be giving out slots to those who have shown that they are dedicated to the community.
When we feel that we are up to par again, we will be taking donations in exchange for reserve slots. Donations allow for maintaining and possibly upgrading it.
We are re doing the reserve slot system so that when, your purchase one, it applies to ALL of our servers, not just NS, and it will most likely be the same price.
mp_blockscripts 0
regular admins/mods
ALLOW DCS TO HEAL <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/pudgy.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::gorge::" border="0" alt="pudgy.gif" /> AFTER LAST HIVE IS DEAD<i>!!!</i>
Ideally, that's another way of saying 'dedicated to one another', and, FWIW, it is what most enables the success of a community, online or otherwise, regardless of what other attributes the community adopts.
Surround and engorge NSA with good people, and be quick to remind those good people that they are surrounded by good people. Measure 'good' how you will, but encourage others to attach to those around them who also are 'good.'
I've seen that allow my gaming community to thrive year after year after year after year, and there's no reason why the same solution can't work for yours. It becomes particularly powerful in multi-game communities, such as Tactical Gamer (and now NSA), where player crossovers from game to game, without ever leaving the community-managed servers, is quite common, as is seeing your friends from Game A when you join the server for Game B. Providing reserved slots to servers for multiple games via one single subscription has also worked quite well. I recommend it. All of that, if properly managed, falls back into your quote above.
It's exciting to watch this unfold. Worthwhile creation is always fun to witness.
The problem with removing combat from the server is that combat is our server "starter". While I agree its a lower form of gameplay than classic, we just use combat to bring people in so we can play classic. Rounds are set to 18 minutes to allow plenty of people to join, and then assuming there are enough, we switch to classic.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Just curious about this.
Wont the players leave when they see that youre switching from combat to classic?
What I mean with this is that combat attracts a different kind of person, sometimes one who only wants to play combat.
I don't know for sure, but I've seen that happen a lot of times.
like me and puzl said you gotta kick start it two weeks consistant, prompte peak starts and you will set the ball rolling
mods
/stuck
/show res, its comeing in 3.2
awards
and i belive you truely should look into the really good custom NS maps there are mappers out there who have put in a lot of effort and have made some truely brilliant works of art that i and many others belive should be put into the stock ns, NO seige altho there area a few really nicely detailed seige maps out there and NO unlimited res maps or multi hive rooms, multi hives unless the map its self still retains res control balance and is made in such a way its enjoyable.
please i implore you to go cheack out the mapping forum and ask the trolls there some of the best custom classics of all time and go thru and pick at them like a fat kid at a smorgus board.
Just curious about this.
Wont the players leave when they see that youre switching from combat to classic?
What I mean with this is that combat attracts a different kind of person, sometimes one who only wants to play combat.
I don't know for sure, but I've seen that happen a lot of times.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
While it is true, combat does attract players that sometimes do not want to play classic NS, but often times it does attract players who want to play classic as well.
The games yesterday and the day before prove just that, we were able to fill the server and run a few NS games after that.
See the thing is, we need only around 8 or 9 CO players left over for when the map changes from combat to classic. Especially in Today's NS world, people are desperately searching for a server that meets their needs, so provided there is a decent amount of players left over from CO, a great classic game can start and continue from map to map because of the current server situation, as well as having enough players in the server already to attract those who only join classic when there is a decent amount of players in the sever already.
What I can definitely promise is the following:
Classic play over Combat
No game altering plugins (though there maybe some informative ones, i.e. team res, etc..)
Admins that don't need to use eAuthority to feel good about themselves. Kicking/Banning a player will only come as a last resort.
Strive for every game to be of high level gameplay. Its often sad to see in other servers that when 4 marines who are allegedly using teamwork be killed by a single skulk because they do not have the appropriate FPS skills. With the players we tend to attract, hopefully this will not be an issue. We support effective gameplay winning strategies, and aren't restricted by the often warped definition of what teamwork is.
If that means that myself and others have to swtich teams (despite numbers) to balance them, then so be it.
Constant siege maps and rollthedice mod!! everyone knows thats the bestest way to play!!1
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
It all sounds pretty serious now. I love getting involved games but other more casual players might not what that. Are you prepared to knowingly exclude a more relaxed crowd. I dont mean 'OMG WTH l337 I4m hax0r' people cause they can get ###### and stayed ###### (or get CS), but some people don't really want super pressured games all the time.
I'd probably join your servers but my current internet BLOCKS STEAM. I'm like... shaking here,...so... so cold...
At YO, we've been able to keep going though having a dedicated team of admins who constantly talk in IRC, and a great team of Regular players or 'Regs' with which 3 times a week, we shut off the server to everyone else and let them have a night of NS with just them. This encourages them to turn up, as games are consistently of a higher standard than public play. It also makes people in the community want to become a 'Reg'. We allow donations from anyone of any amount to server costs, and they get a special Icon in-game to say thanks. we also have a great nuumber of regular public players who love to get the server going first thing on a morning.
From the NSArmslab website, for me anyway, it looks like it's very geared into selling reserved slots. I dunno, it would put me off knowing all someone has to do is pay and they get preference over someone who's been playing on the server for ages.
I'd advise a complete overhaul. new site, new admins, new IP with a refocused vision of what you want NSArmsLab to be. These are just my personal opinions, not YO's. Keep going, I miss playing with the Americans across the pond.
omgs! I've got it.
Constant siege maps and rollthedice mod!! everyone knows thats the bestest way to play!!1
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
It all sounds pretty serious now. I love getting involved games but other more casual players might not what that. Are you prepared to knowingly exclude a more relaxed crowd. I dont mean 'OMG WTH l337 I4m hax0r' people cause they can get ###### and stayed ###### (or get CS), but some people don't really want super pressured games all the time.
I'd probably join your servers but my current internet BLOCKS STEAM. I'm like... shaking here,...so... so cold...
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We are not excluding anyone, people exclude themselves. We have a standard we want to set, either the players meet/exceed, try their best to meet it, or stop playing on the server. There are some casual players that will not have a problem fitting in with the server, some that will. NSArmslab is not that end all be all of game servers, its just merely another option. From what it seems however, NSarmslab is the game server that a lot of people having been asking for for a long time now.
We do not determine the type of player who connects to the server, we can only encourage certain gameplay behaviors, not force them. As stated previously, casual players who cannot fit the bill will leave on their own accord.
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Hey man. I've seen many NS communities die recently, and it is sad.
At YO, we've been able to keep going though having a dedicated team of admins who constantly talk in IRC, and a great team of Regular players or 'Regs' with which 3 times a week, we shut off the server to everyone else and let them have a night of NS with just them. This encourages them to turn up, as games are consistently of a higher standard than public play. It also makes people in the community want to become a 'Reg'. We allow donations from anyone of any amount to server costs, and they get a special Icon in-game to say thanks. we also have a great nuumber of regular public players who love to get the server going first thing on a morning.
From the NSArmslab website, for me anyway, it looks like it's very geared into selling reserved slots. I dunno, it would put me off knowing all someone has to do is pay and they get preference over someone who's been playing on the server for ages.
I'd advise a complete overhaul. new site, new admins, new IP with a refocused vision of what you want NSArmsLab to be. These are just my personal opinions, not YO's. Keep going, I miss playing with the Americans across the pond.
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I have to disagree about reserve slots. Unfortunately we have to deal with reality, that life is full of limited resources. Every little donation goes towards the survival of NSAgames, myself or anyone else involved behind the scenes does not put any of that money in their pocket.
People that enjoy playing on the server should not have a problem paying the few dollars a month to play on a cluster of servers they truly enjoy (remember, reserve slots get added to ALL game servers, not just the NS one).
Having dedicated community members is an awesome thing, as they do keep the community going socially. Unfortunately, that does not pay the server bills. A reserve slot is a way of personally saying "thank you" to donating and keeping the server alive.
I wish you the best m8.
1. Decent, mature server admins
2. Vanilla NS maps (e.g. no infuriating pg plugins)
3. Skill level and teamwork of players (higher = more challenging = more fun)
4. Mature players (no one likes the idiots who whine about reg etc.)
5. 18-slots, more turns the game more and more into CO-type gameplay
6. Decent, enforced rules (no racism, ######ism etc.)
Btw: I really like playing on US servers (I'm Euro). I find people use voicechat much more and so there is 'generally' better teamwork and a friendlier atmosphere. American female accents also turn me on.
i played at NSA in the past.
I didnt like what i saw,but was the past.
Now i have better experience playing on US servers, than on EU.
People seem more relaxed and willing to enjoy the game more, than most EU players.
what i look for on a server :
Regular players that seem to have a good time.
People laughing,communicating and doing something collective.
Admins that know their rules,place and server(s).
No whining,muttering moaning and shouting/writing in caps.
NS classic based maps (no nuked/blinged versions of standard mappack).
A server that doesnt have a kabillion plugins to tell you from how far you shot xxx marines with a thoughtbullet as a skulk (an ability that you got from a plugin as vague as mona lisas face).
A server that does 1 siege map or 3 CO maps as a break from NS map every 3-4NS maps orso.
a variation in maps seems to stimulate rotation of players( ppl leave ppl join),and is a good and fun break from sometimes long games that NS classic maps can offer.
People/admins/regs that are lenient towards players with lesser skills/experience and try to make an effort to try and make him/her want to stay on the server.
i wouldnt mind at all playing abit at NSA,but since im EU,ping will be high.
dont give up guys,
you'll figure this out <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
x
Femme
i know many ppl once they see it switch to a seige/co map will leave the server.. lots of ppl also filter out combat. nsa used to have no problems fillin up with strickly vanilla classic maps.
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As of right now, because the community is slowly building up, we are going to run combat just to attract enough players to start a good NS game. This has worked well in the past couple of days, so we will continue to do so until we get enough regulars on there to just run classic only.
You sound as if you have already made up your mind as to what the server will & will not do. So it begs the question......
Why did you ask for ideas/help?
He wants your help in getting people to join there, and to add in any concerns, comments, or suggestions that you have pertaining to the server, as it has been empty for quite some time. =D
Firewater, I think if you had a points thing for bots like TG has, I think that'd be pretty cool <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />. I play on TG occasionally just to frag some bots w/ my uber shotgun. Then other people join and I get to frag them too. Then, after all is said and done, the map changes to NS...and I get to frag them there too. Note: the bots are only good for CO and should be limited to only when the server has fewer than like 6 human players. =D. Kinda like.....TG <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />.
With all due respect Firewater......
You sound as if you have already made up your mind as to what the server will & will not do. So it begs the question......
Why did you ask for ideas/help?
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yeah...
With all due respect Firewater......
You sound as if you have already made up your mind as to what the server will & will not do. So it begs the question......
Why did you ask for ideas/help?
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Just because I am refuting the present suggestions does not mean that there is something that I did not think of that could potentially be mentioned for the duration of this thread.
Also, just because one person makes a suggestion does not mean I should instantly change over. If several people make a suggestion, it may be worth trying out but as far as people almost feeling that they are telling us what to do instead of making suggestions with evidence to back up said claims, then that is just idiotic.
If you pay close attention, this new design seems to adopt several things of the TG server, which has "thrived" while other servers "died".
The thread is a lot of fun to read, for me. It serves as validation of several of our "good" ideas (the desire to see them successfully implemented elsewhere, whether they one day are or not), and it genuinely is a good thing to have more of this "good" elsewhere. It's not like we (NS community) have a shortage of players ("lolo NS is dying"). It's not uncommon for three people to simultaneously attempt to join the server when a slot opens on TGNS, so there's clearly more players wanting to get in on this "good" than *we* have the capacity for (maybe we should increase our capacity, but this stuff's expensive <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />). Hopefully some of them will find their way to NSA's server and like what they see.
While suggestions are appreciated, a lot of them are already implemented previously to this thread's existence, or just not reasonable to implement at all.
What we are really trying to do is salvage some of NS's former glory by offering a server that the people here want. It may not fit everyone's needs, but then again, no server does. We want to cater to the population that most people seem to be longing for.
As far as the banner, while it is appreciated, I don't think the people who frequent that website would be interested in the gameplay we are currently offering.
I just can't go back to 3.1 after playing 3.2 regularly.
When it upgrades to 3.2, I'll stop by again, until then, I've no interest.
Now its still pretty popular even while playing the last official released version.
I hate being booted for reserved slot holder!! I, too, often will not play that kind of server anymore.
ps: (disabling F4 is lame.)
We are going to have write-offs, there is nothing I can do about that other than compromising our core values which is unacceptable.
As far as reserve slots, again, the server does not pay for itsself. I know we like to think that just our prescence alone is enough, but in the end we can have the greatest regulars in the world, that keep the game fun interesting and fresh, but if we do not have the finances to continue that, then it doesn't matter.
Reserve slot is a thank you for donating, no more, no less. If you do not like getting kicked by reserve slots I suggest starting your own server community because I currently do not know of one that does not have reserve slots set up, for one reason or another.
Atleast with NSAgames, reserve slots are not based on one's likability or eSocial Status, its available to those who want to pay a minimal fee, can gain instant access to all of our servers at anytime.
No CO maps, none of this /xmenu /buildmenu /giveres /impulse 101 bs custom crap.
People play G4B2S because of how <b>vanilla</b> it is. You could keep the seige maps, and the co maps in the database, but don't put them in the map cycle. NS maps only. If the people want to play a round of CO or seige, they can votemap, after the game has finished, it goes back to an NS map.
You also need the /stuck mod and votemap.<b>Thats it</b>.
Do this, and I will join your server. And so will many many more.
Oh, and please:
I was on the G4B2S server for 60 minutes straight, an exhilarating game. Working my ###### off, I was 33/6 or something like that. The game was a HUGE stalmate. Aliens had 2 hives, we were forced to relo to bio. So we held it for 60 minutes or so, while slowly attacking double, we seiged it, but the constant lerk gas, fade swipes and stomps held us from capping it. So after this 50-60 minutes, someone sneaks a PG @ one of the other hives and oblivious to the aliens, we had three seiges ready and were just about to ping it when...
"You have been kicked, reason: A donator has taken your slot"
You have no idea how ###### off I was. If NSA does that....
Anyone willing to do so will be rewarded when we start to develop our reserve slot system again.
It seems really all we need to do is get either the old core group or a new one to populate the server. Myself, Biggnick and others have been doing it recently and the success continues hours after we have left.
But we can't be the only ones seeding the server all the times. Thats why we need more people to do just that, and when it gets to the point that the server is filled all hours of the day again, we will have no need to run combat any longer.
We are not at that point however.
If you are really peaved about getting kicked by a donator, I recommend again either paying the minimal fee to get access to the server so it doesn't happen again, OR find/create your own community that does not do a reserve slot system.
G4b2s alledeglly has 159 current donators. Thats potentially 159 people that can boot you off the server if you don't have a reserve slot.
NSA will kick for reserve slots, as donators are promised priority access to the game server. I'm sorry but thats how a majority of NS communities have setup their reserve slot system, and thats most likely how its going to continue.