Starting A Low/Mid Rate Server

[P4rD0nM3]

Hey guys, I'm from JoinPGN.com and I'm thinking of starting a low/mid rate server and I was thinking of making it 10x/10x/10x. I used to play RO on its early stages way back including the ones from Gravity and the ones from the several private servers that were available back then.

I'm planning on sticking with the original RO theme where you level up and talk to NPCs to change levels and stuff. I'm trying to not put any custom stuff such as NPCs that automatically change your job or other stuff. Would this be a nice option for the RO community?

I know that stability is usually the main problem with new servers since most of them only host their servers in a VPN or even...to some extent rent a dedicated server. I can safely say that I won't be hosting my RO server in a VPN or even hosting it in a rented decicated server. But that's because I own the equipment and our gaming community has been hosting game servers ever since 2005 in 8 different locations in the US and EU. So hosting it in one location is really nothing to worry.

I'm just worried at what do people expect from a new RO server. Thank you and I'm looking for your input!

[Ansuz Isaz]

I've seen a few servers that have used the basic pure-RO with slightly higher rates theme, and some can do fairly well with it. I think I've all ready seen one with that theme in mind with those rates, too, so... xD Honestly, in terms of things to polish up, I don't really know much about the server besides "It's iRO with higher rates," so I'm not sure what there is to say. xD

If you have those rates, having a CP channel would be nice, just because I kind of like swapping my zeny from my main/s to my vender/OC/DC character. Other than that, it could work, if you could get enough people interested. x3 It's not the newest idea in the world, but it can work just the same.

To answer what people expect from them: not much. xD Sadly, most people don't expect new servers to get very far. Too much competition as it is, and a player base is what tends to attract a player base. =P A lot of people won't join a new server because there's not enough players to make it worth it. In counter, however, there are a few who want to join the shining new servers, but there a considerably smaller portion of those.

[P4rD0nM3]

Hmm, I'm not worried about population that much as most likely it'll increase as time passes by, when PGN started hosting CS 1.6 servers, we barely got to populate a server. But with good management we're seeing roughly 5000 player connections per day now on each server we have.

So you think 10x/10x/10x is too much? 3x/3x/3x would be better? How about 1x/1x/1x? What are the things that I should should do like wipes et al? I'm definitely going to use a control panel.

Server-wise and Client-wise...things to do and not to do?

I figured I should also start a dev server where I can test some stuff before I implement it in the main server.

I also do think that most of the RO servers nowadays try to monetize their servers and most of them depend on donations to stay afloat (Which is why they worry about initial population a lot).

[Ansuz Isaz]

No, the rates are probably fine where they are, actually. Mainly because less and less people like the low rates. xD I'm just saying that the fact that it is iRO with higher rates is all I can really tell from my angle at the moment. Though, from a personal aspect, I'd say dropping the drop rates to x5 might not be too bad of an idea. x5 still isn't all that bad compared to the original, but it will give hunting for items a more old fashion feel.

Initial population in donations is something the owners worry about, but I'm more stating that people like to have a population around. It gives their efforts more meaning if they have competition. n_n

Server wise and client-wise... Well, Hamachi - or whatever it is that the program is called - is used in a few servers, and it's known to tick people off. I wouldn't recommend using it to connect. xD Wipes, especially on a low rate, is the death of servers. xD So... Back ups are pretty much mandatory. Wipes a day or two back aren't majorly devastating if things go drastically wrong, but large ones are.

Other than that, I'm not too sure how to help. Someone that's more used to running them might be of more assistance. The eAthena boards might also not be a bad place to ask, either,.

[superja]

Actually, starting a 1x/1x/1x would be cool... the only big one that I've found is Russian (and it's huge!). We haven't had a 1x private that stuck around for any length of time for a while.

The difficult part of it is population = absolutely necessary or people won't play. So probably the best plan is to figure out what you want to do, and get an active forum community. Hype it like crazy. A server starting out with ~100 players has a lot better chance of surviving in the long run than one that quietly opens without anybody noticing.

[Anti-Static Foam Cleaner]

Actually, starting a 1x/1x/1x would be cool... the only big one that I've found is Russian (and it's huge!).

And it has dual clienting. F-

Well, as much as I'd love a customless low-lowrate, truth is what other people usually want is a quick way to WoE/PvP. So if you're one of these people who want to make a server "for the people" then mid rate with all the jazz(warper, job changer, platinum, etc.) is the way to go... probably.

[P4rD0nM3]

So it's all about hyping it huh? Like ads here and there? To get the initial population...I really would like to do 1x1x1x. I'm using eA by the way.

[Anti-Static Foam Cleaner]

If you make 1/1/1 the question is, will you have the nerves to keep it up for several months with next to no population?

[Skotlex]

There is a market for a long established low-rate server that won't close. A lot of veteran players enjoy that, they would dream of nothing but a 2x or 3x server that's simply a copy of the official RO, but without all the lag and bots.

The thing is, it needs to be long lived to guarantee its stability, and it needs some sort of initial population to hold itself together, people won't join a ghost-town if they are low rates, even if the server has been up for four years and has no reason to shut down anytime soon :<

If you do not want to be custom, then you must offer something that people want, and what most people seem to want is something you need a lot of time to establish: longevity.

Just my two cents from the threads I recall reading on this subject.

[Pandora]

All these rates can be good, and cusomless to customfull can be great as well, just choose 1 direction you wanna aim your server in and stick to it, it will attract that "niche" or players. You can never please everyone anyway.

[Easter]

well if ur making a new lowrate server u need to make sure that u can keep it on for a long time(im talking in years) as lowrate=lots of hunting=lots of time
and right now i guess lowrates r the best way to go as most people r loosing intrest in ro due to over customisation as it destroys the essence of ro
add to that the need for parties and friends in a low rate

anyway all the best with whatever server u make.

[superja]

I know if you made a 1x/1x/1x, I'd join, regardless of population... if you promise to actually keep it up. I'm running around by myself right now because there isn't one.

Another thing... unless your server has a million custom features (which basically from what you're saying, it won't) for the love of God, don't do a beta test phase... either you wipe at the end and players get pissed and leave, or you don't wipe and it's unbalanced. eAthena out of the box (which this pretty much would be) has no need for beta testing... so don't bother.

But yeah, if you want to go the official rates route, I'd recommend getting a forum and everything now and trying to get a small community, and put the server up after you have a few people. Otherwise you get the people that are like "Hooray! This sever looks great!"
then log on... "What? 2 people online? I r leave..."

One last suggestion... maybe make party exp better so people are encouraged to party and form ties... people with friends are much less likely to leave. Of course, some people might not like that because leveling would be faster, less grind. But as long as the bonus isn't godly, just an incentive, I think it would be a good idea. Like, instead of splitting exp 50-50, both members get 75 or something. Or there's no penalty for sharing. Just a thought.

[P4rD0nM3]

Regarding beta testing an out-of-the-box eA installation, I'm a bit worried at how it might not be complete...like certain jobs lack some quest or something and that would pretty much make it a huge pain in the donkey if I were to make a custom script for a certain job or quest...

I've decided to go 1x 1x 1x, customless and I'm just finishing up the control panel now.

[Anti-Static Foam Cleaner]

If you do this I'll start playing. 1x rates. Jesus. You bastard, you just ruined my summer break.

(Don't forget to disable dual clienting)

[Guest]

mmm if u can get a big enough starting population i might join xD

+1 to the no duel clienting