Server Capacity

[Dexterous]

Why exactly do we have a limit at 18 players (9 per side)? It's quite an odd number so I was wondering what the reasoning was.

 Is it in order to prevent the server from feeling the strain (because although it shouldn't it does anyway), is that the optimum number for team game-play but still allowing a decent amount of people online? The only reason I ask is because there have been a couple of times when 1 or 2 more spots would've allowed a dMw member such as Browne last night to join the game but we simply don't have enough spaces.

 I'm not sure if the current plug-ins allow for this but one of the things I did on our Garry's Mod server was set reserved spots for admins. Is it possible to do the same on our server but for dMw members so that maybe 12 or so slots were reserved for dMw members or simply increase the server's player capacity. I know that we do get a reasonable number of new members from CS:GO so unless there is a specific reason for it I can't really see why increasing the capacity by 2 wouldn't work.

[no peanuts]

I don't recall where the 18 slots come from. But reservations are certainly possible.

Afaik, we've only ever kicked pubbies from our servers on the 'official/designated' gaming night,  when a dMw member could not get on (and we would let them know why).
Back in the day we would've played on MeatHook so only registered users could join.  If things continue as they are, we should start thinking about going back to MH on a monday night.

During the week it's fair game for all, as far as I'm concerned.  Although, things have been picking up again lately with a full server most nights (which is AWESOME :taz:), I don't think booting pubbies off during our regular days is a great idea. We want them to come back. The only reservations I'd consider putting in place at the moment would be for the admins, but am happy to give way if people feel otherwise.

Thoughts?

[Dexterous]

I agree that kicking publics is not a great idea and reservations for members probably wouldn't work well but that leaves the only other options being do nothing or increase the server capacity (as far as I can see it anyway).

[Blunt]

We used to have boomer set to maxplayers 16 because that is about the right number for an admin to handle.

Since we usually have at least 2 admins on at busy times, and because we were getting steam messages from people trying to get on, we expanded it by 2.

Most maps are designed with 5 v 5 in mind so 8 v 8 is a compromise, gameplay v maxplayers.

Meathook was 10 v 10 before we put the comp cfg on, which was fine because we were all law-abiding members. I don't know how we'd manage 10 v 10 on Boomer, but we can give it a go if that's the consensus.

As pnuts says, we don't usually kick pubbies for members except for a Monday evening.

Having a full server most evenings (and most pubbies are regulars) is a sign that people enjoy playing with us (despite the server feeling the strain).

Attracting new members to the community is very important, especially if they become supporting members. So Boomer populated every evening is great for that.

I'll be looking at changing the server messages in the next week or so, and I'd like to advertise the forums/membership/support etc. and also reinforce our Teamplay ideals! (ideas welcome)

[Dexterous]

reinforce our Teamplay ideals! (ideas welcome)

Possibly put in a timed message to encourage people to communicate via chat or mic, not only would it boost the standard of play (people would call positions and tactics) but it would also encourage people to have a chat and might cause people to come back because they had enjoyed talking to the dMw community.

Meathook was 10 v 10 before we put the comp cfg on, which was fine because we were all law-abiding members. I don't know how we'd manage 10 v 10 on Boomer, but we can give it a go if that's the consensus.

I understand now, it was more a case of me asking why we had 18 which was a weird number. The server is struggling anyway so waiting a bit to get a full understanding of the situation with the server would probably be wise.