Server Help

Digbyz · Guest Offline

I'm trying to set up Subspace for kids to play with at the school where I work. I have the server files installed for a LAN as indicated on the Shanky site. It works and I can change the .lvl files to change the map. People can log in. The Internet servers are not available, which is what I want.

I would like to be able to change the games. All they can play now is straight Subspace (go in, blast people on the installed map). I would like to offer a hockey type game and/or other games. It would be great if a responsible kid could change that easily.

I have tried successfully to connect with Subspace and Continuum. I would prefer to use Subspace, not as many menu choices, and you can disable other servers via the favorite.lst file. But I could use Continuum otherwise. Remember this is for little kids.

I don't really want to build stuff myself, read faqs or configure stuff. I just want a simple way to offer other games on a LAN. Where do I get the files and how to I make them available?

Thanks

Dr Brain · Posted: Sun May 18, 2003 11:26 pm Post subject:

Ok, changing levels is as simple as putting it in the server directory and changing the map setting in server.ini.

Please make a list of exactly what else you want, I think you contradicted yourself a few times, so all I got was the map stuff.

If you need more help setting it up: http://forums.minegoboom.com/viewtopic.php?t=309
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Smong> so long as 99% deaths feel lame it will always be hyperspace to me

SuSE · Me measures good Joined: Dec 02 2002 Posts: 2307 Offline

use Continuum

give us a while and maybe we can get you a bunch of different graphics/map/scenario packs for you to use

I know some good examples of the following are available that you can use:

hockey
wargames (lots of variations - ground combat / sea battles)
samurai (samurai warriors fighting for their treasure)
toadball (something like a mario game - in the works)
star wars pod racing

probably some other decent ones too that I'm forgetting

if I get some time this week I'll compile all the files for you and throw in a readme/instructions

Digbyz · Guest Offline

The kids are gonna love it when it's up and running.

The HOW TO for the LAN you pointed to seems different than the one I read at the Shanky site, I will make the appropriate modifications and use Continuum instead of Subspace as suggested.

To clarify myself, my main problem is that although I can switch maps by putting the .lvl file in the server folder and changing the server.ini file, the way the game functions never changes. I can't get to play hockey or capture flags or anything else than shoot each other.

If you want to help us out, dont feel in a rush as I will not be installing those computers for weeks. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

Smong · Posted: Mon May 19, 2003 1:25 pm Post subject:

Digbyz · Guest Offline

Thank you all again for your help and patience with these noob questions.

I have tried running subgame2.exe alone and not running subbill.exe. The server seemed to run just fine. What does it do and is it really necessary?

I'll keep reading around when I get the chance to get me more acquainted with the software, but if someone can reply an answer it would be very appreciated.

Thanks!

SuSE · Me measures good Joined: Dec 02 2002 Posts: 2307 Offline

I'll just duplicate the settings if people with access to them do not volunteer them.

How old are these kids?

Dr Brain · Posted: Mon May 19, 2003 10:45 pm Post subject:

Biller tracks passwords and scores.

Digbyz · Guest Offline

These are elementary kids. They are not computer wiz caliber. Presently, I have Descent and a couple other games running in a network on some 486s (which are to be replaced with P166 and up), so I figure Continuum would be a big hit. I prefer not giving them the opportunity to fiddle with settings. I intend to only have an eventual school game server appear in the list of zones and not have internet zones, if that is possible.

Also, the computers have a program which freezes the content of the hard disk. You can erase and change files but when you reboot the computer, the hard disk reverts to it's previous state. So whatever settings I give the Continuum client wont be lost or altered as long as those settings are stored locally on the hard disk. If I need to, I can make a partition which is not protected and put games and other files there.

I do not care about keeping game statistics for such and such players apart from the current game score.

Thanks again for your continuing help, everyone. I'm sure if and when the game is setup with a server, the kids will love it!

Dr Brain · Posted: Tue May 20, 2003 10:36 am Post subject:

Sounds fun! Yes, you don't need a biller.

ExplodyThingy · Posted: Tue May 20, 2003 11:10 am Post subject:

Isnt it possible to make a skin that does not have the buttons to things like zone lists and such. Or passwordable? Therefore he wouldnt have to use ss, and the stuff wouldnt be editable by "accident".

Guest · Offline

I`ll look into the skin idea, that would be great.

I`ve looked into the subarenas FAQ and it would solve my problem with playing more than just one game type. Doesn`t look too difficult to implement. I doubt I would set up more than one server.

Another issue I'd like to get opinions on. What kind of computer should I use as a game server for the LAN? I plan on having one zone running with possibly a couple of subarenas. Do I need a really fast one, one with a lot of RAM? I could find anything between a P166 to PII233 easily, others would be more difficult. I could max it on RAM. The maximum amount of players would be about 15 for now, possibly more as other classes want to join in. They are running on a 100 mb network.

Thanks a lot for all your help. I am very impressed with the amount of feedback I`m getting on this.

Digbyz · Guest Offline

Klutz!

Helicon · Posted: Tue May 20, 2003 4:11 pm Post subject:

Generally speaking, the kids who make subspace servers aren't too content to dish out their settings to anyone, as they are spychopathic, egotistical high school or college students. there are a few basics, though that are reasonaly easy to master.

What i would recommend for your situation is to develop a basic set of shipsettings (how fast they go, what they shoot, etc.) and then change the game settings (flags, balls, king of the hill) - these are all in the server.cfg files (with other names like hockey.cfg for the other arenas - or play areas within the zone)

make sure, in server.ini, to set arenamode to 5!!! this allows extra arenas to be made from .cfg and .lvl files of the same name when players try to go to them.

here is a sample setup:
<< in the server directory >>
server.cfg(main shipsettings- basic, just fly around shooting each other, probably with King of the hill tossed in)
main.lvl (set to be main map in server.ini)
hockey.cfg(main shipsettings, but with the [Soccer]
settings tweaked)
hockey.lvl ( a hockey map)
flags.cfg(main shipsettings - capture the flag to win)
flags.lvl ( a capture the flag map)

this way a child who wanted to play hockey could type ?go hockey (or use the arena list, esc-a) and change to an arena with different game settings, but wouldn't be confused by a change in ships.

as far as finding a good set of basic shipsettings... the Standard V.i.e. Settings are available openly on the web. These settings, however, usually fail to contain even the attentions of older children. You may wish to find a faster set, especially if you dont have cross-internet bandwidth concerns where speed would impair playability due to lag.
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Helicon · Posted: Tue May 20, 2003 4:16 pm Post subject: Re: Good ideas!

Helicon · Posted: Tue May 20, 2003 4:19 pm Post subject:

http://www.subspacedownloads.com/
this will be your mothership for a while.

note the rediculously camouflaged "Downloads/files" link on the left... click it, if you dare (you should)

Utilities you will probably find useful:

ssme (map editor)
FACTS (all around awesome tool)
The vie and ravik core settings (also free) are available for download here, see what you think
If you want skins, toolkits to make them, or anything else, here it is.

reel bad · Posted: Tue May 20, 2003 5:59 pm Post subject:

Dr Brain · Posted: Tue May 20, 2003 6:17 pm Post subject:

A very low end comp can run a SS server. The botttleneck is bandwidth, and that isn't a problem on a LAN.

Fluffy White Bunny · Newbie Joined: May 03 2003 Posts: 11 Offline

Damn Digbyz, I wish I had a teacher like you in elementary school

Helicon · Posted: Tue May 20, 2003 10:21 pm Post subject:

Helicon · Posted: Tue May 20, 2003 10:23 pm Post subject:

Here is a zip of a folder containing 2 cfg/lvl pairs.
/////
server.cfg //Ravik Core Settings - no flags, larger spawn radius
warone.lvl // an old ASWZ map i recommend for warzone
hockey.cfg //modified Ravik for hockey (soccer balls)
hockey.lvl //stolen, stripped Hockey Zone map (recent)
/////
They are based on the ravik core settings... a free set available at ssdl.

I modified the hockey.cfg settings slightly to accommodate hockey... and i tweaked a little bit for obvious reasons.

FYI - the "Warzone" map (suggested, obviously for the main arena... set it in server.ini) is stolen from ASWZ ( a small war zone)
The hockey map is stolen and cleaned from Hockey Zone.

I tried to clean it up "juvenile" for the kids.. i edited out the "Bud" logo in the aswz map and removed the Cryptic ?sheep message...but i may have missed some things.. so check over them just to be safe (use those utilities i mentioned above)

Digbyz · Guest Offline

Many thanks to one an all. I have everything I need (I think) to make a LAN server with a few games available. Our students are really going to love this!

I'm really impressed with the quantity and quality of help I got on this board. Seems the Continuum community is very dynamic.

I'll keep you posted of the progress on this thread!

Dr Brain · Posted: Wed May 21, 2003 1:06 pm Post subject:

Great, I know I would enjoy it

SuSE · Me measures good Joined: Dec 02 2002 Posts: 2307 Offline

Helicon · Posted: Wed May 21, 2003 4:06 pm Post subject: Re: Thanks a million