DontCamp.com

NTolerance · Administrator Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 1044

In recent times seeding our server has become more difficult. In the past myself, Dan, and Wabbit were able to idle on the server and folks would slowly join until we had a proper game going. This strategy no longer works. I am unsure exactly why this is the case, but a declining player base due to the relative age of BF4 and new releases like Titanfall could have an effect.

Seeding a server is a somewhat complex affair. Questions get tossed around like which maps/modes to use and whatnot. But what's most important is having the right number of players to seed the server at the right time. I gathered some data the other day based on some servers in my favorites list that are regularly populated. Several of them had at least four seeder players on their server by early afternoon.

We have developed a way for dontcampers to idle on our server to help seed. More info can be found here. You can idle in the server and still use your computer at the same time, or just start idling and go eat food or do other real life shit.

Is this something that anyone would be willing to do? Don't feel obligated if you think seeding/idling is stupid or you don't have the time or resources to help us out, but do let me know what you think.

tl;dr players don't join servers with less than four players or ones that don't get started early enough in the day

ProfessorZ · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 10:29 am Post subject:

Yes, I will commit to trying to help out. Due to work/childcare/commute I typically arrive home between 18:00 - 18:30 CDT.

Is that still in the "magic" window to get things started?
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NTolerance · Administrator Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 1044

JoeSwindell · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 4:23 pm Post subject:

Having to work earlier and go to bed earlier has really killed my playing Sad

ProfessorZ · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 9:21 pm Post subject:

I got the seeder program running tonight - everything worked great. NT and I were seeding the server wonderfully.

Unfortunetly nobody else joined. Sad

I will strive to do this every night I can.
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Super Wabbit · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 2:09 pm Post subject:

I'm hoping to work this weekend on configuring a way to start seeding the server remotely so I can hop on even earlier in the day. This may turn out to be using something like VNC, similar to what NT does.

[DC]ClavisApocalypticae · Deputy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 1007

If you have an Android, you can't beat Teamviewer.
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NTolerance · Administrator Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 1044

Thanks for helping us seed everyone! It worked! Even more, the server somehow stayed populated all night:

And then I joined at 12PM EDT and the server crashed within 30 seconds and we lost all the players.

Super Wabbit · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 1:01 pm Post subject:

NT and I are trying something new and attempting to seeding from early in the morning. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it'll work with just the two of us.

Super Wabbit · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 7:53 am Post subject:

So far, we've had two days of successful server seeding by starting first thing in the morning. It has been awesome to come home to a full server! Based on what we've seen so far, it appears that it takes more than just two people idling on the server. Thanks to everyone who has hopped on early in the day while they could. I know I've seen Dan, Crash, and Clavis all hop on briefly early in the day. I think this has helped immensely! So thanks to you guys and to anyone I might have missed.

We start day 3 of this little experiment. What make's NTolerance's anti-idle script great is that it keeps BF4 minimized, drastically reducing your computer's power usage when compared to running the game full-screen. Since the GPU isn't rendering anything, it's not working hard at all. I'd like everyone to consider running the anti-idle script when you leave your home. I think this would put us over the top. Once the server starts to fill up we'll kick any server seeders which will close the BF4 program on their computer. I'd just like to ask everyone to think about it. If you have questions or need any help getting the anti-idle script working, just let us know!

Super Wabbit · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 8:05 am Post subject:

Here are some server usage stats. Times are in PST/PDT

April 1st:

March 24 - April 1st

Super Wabbit · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 8:57 am Post subject:

Also, checkout the following link to see who is playing on the server: http://www.gametracker.com/server_info/74.91.112.88:25200/

Super Wabbit · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 4:26 pm Post subject:

So today's seeding doesn't look all that successful. With just NT and myself. It is possible that we need more seeders or that the newness of the game has worn off. We'll steam ahead but may start thinking of moving to Conquest Large maps once Carrier Assault becomes old.

JoeSwindell · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 4:34 pm Post subject:

I have a raid issue am waiting for a replacement drive which will be here soon. Hard drives. yeah. I'll be able to help when it's fixed. Hard drives. Shut up.

Super Wabbit · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 4:35 pm Post subject:

Not yelling at anyone. Not everyone has an idle computer they can let seed, and we understand that.

Super Wabbit · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:43 am Post subject:

Shit sorry, I forgot to start seeding this morning!

JoeSwindell · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:37 pm Post subject:

Stop yelling!

Super Wabbit · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 4:16 pm Post subject:

I am now seeding! Come join me!