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Ashburner and I were trying to get on the TF2 game thing today and we all know how that went. Shit happens, right? But we hopped on Vent and started discussing getting a Halforums dedicated gaming server. We already have the vent and a dedicated Minecraft server, but what if we got out own TF2 or Left 4 Dead 2 server?

I priced these out and they would are pretty affordable. I priced the servers at the following:

• Left 4 Dead / Left 4 Dead 2 - 8 players
• Team Fortress 2 - 16 players

The total cost is about $20 a month if paid monthly or $200 annually. But they would be ours and we could set up things like game days & stuff.
Is anyone interested and if so which payment option should we go for?

Pay annually. Set up donations and I'll gladly chip in.

Well...That would be $200. I'd have to reach that amount before I pulled the trigger.

I could do the $20 today and get it running and then take donations to get to the yearly amount.

I think we're trying to get a feel for how many people would be interested in chipping in for this ATM.

If I had a comp that could run anything decently, I'd be in, but as it is, not gonna happen. But I yearn. I do yearn.

I went ahead and did 1 month. We can test it out & if we like it we can take donations to the $200 mark and get it for a year.

where is the server?

I'm waiting for the email with the server information. Once it's set up I'll give out the details.

For example, what maps will we have to load? Can we play both L4D2 AND TF2 at the same time? All these questions and more will be asked and hopefully answered. Now, they said it usually takes 5 minutes or so to set up, but just in case if it takes manual intervention it might take 1 business day.

I'm all for a TF2 server

I'd start with the simplest setup possible with TF2. If it catches on, it catches on.

Got the information on the server. Looking at it now to see what's up.

Alright guys, here's the server info...

IP - 199.21.112.130:37115
Password - halforums

Right now it's set up for TF2, but we can also switch it over to L4D2 if we want to do a night of that (And considering they are doing a free DLC soon, that might be in the cards).

So this may be a dumb question, but can we like, invite a few friends or anything?

I seriously doubt we're going to be in a position where we need to keep people out (and if we do, we can always just change the pass or use the banhammer). Go ahead and invite people if your planning on being on at the time.

As long as they have the password they are welcome to play.

where is the server and what's the map rotation?

Map rotation so far is:

Badwater Basin
Badlands (CP)
Sawmill (KOTH)
Steel
Doublecross (CTF)

AshburnerX said:

IP - 199.21.112.130:37115
Password - halforums

Click to expand...

Map rotation FOR NOW is:

pl_badwater
ctf_doublecross
cp_badlands
koth_sawmill
cp_steel
ctf_turbine


But we can add and subtract and change to our heart's content.

Plus we have next level voting in place.

I want the physical location, not how to reach it over the internet.

It's hosted by Multiplay UK, just as the minecraft server is.

Location is St. Louis, Missouri. We tried to pick the location that was most central for the US/Canada.

Welp! Ignore everything I said.

All right. If it's MO, I'll show up every so often.

I'll pop in when I am back from the future in-laws later tonight. I am a horrible player and I deeply apologize in advance to anyone I am teamed up with.

I shall play most evenings. And I shall carry my team to victory.

...If Shego is not sniping. Because I will most likely be a Heavy..

I tend to be pyro or engineer. I'm not really good at either but they are the classes I like. Sometimes I'll pop on demoman just because I have a funny looking loadout for him.

Shego's kicked the habit the last time I checked. Shame...

Heavy > Soldier > Pyro > Medic > Demo > Scout > Engi > Sniper > Spy

Usually that's the order in which I prefer to make my selection on which class I play. Mostly based on how many of each class is currently being played..

I haven't played for a few months, probably since the Christmas crates were around. Here's hoping I don't suck

Here are the next steps:

1. Try and find a way to incorporate a calendar into XF. This way we can get a regular game schedule set up and do things like special events.
2. I'll be making a thread that will incorporate the Minecraft thread, this thread, and the multi-player thread that essentially gives all of the information on our servers.
3. I'll be creating a TF2 thread that will allow us to discuss maps, needed/wanted addons and to talk smack.
4. Lastly, I'll be looking for someone to help out on the server admin side of things. For example, right now on the Minecraft server GasBandit is the de facto dude even though I'm the owner. If you have TF2 server admin experience, let me know.

So there you go. Only thing we haven't done yet is stress testing with all 16 slots filled. Don't foresee a problem, though. The thing seems pretty tight.

I don't have any admin experience, but if worst comes to worst and you're desperate, I may be willing to give it a shot

AshburnerX said:

Shego's kicked the habit the last time I checked. Shame...

Click to expand...

I found an event addon. I'll be adding that in later.

Shego. My Heavy has such a nice Unusual Capo's Capper, with a spectacular orbiting fire effect.. And there is a distinct lack of my own brains on it. It really does make for a terrific target

Shegokigo said:

Click to expand...

Now now... that's what you get for going cold turkey.

Events calendar now loaded. W00t!

Now all I have to do is plan some.

Where all you bitches at

Forgive my likely 200ms ping. Stupid jerks living on the other side of the world.

I just tried connecting to the server, had a ping of around 220 to 230. Which probably limits me to Turtlegineer if I do play with you guys.

Damn. So it's not friendly AT ALL to our overseas friends. But if we got a server that was closer to you I think we miss a lot of our base. Crap.

Yeah, it's ok, them's the breaks. Plus, Turtlegineer is a perfectly valid strategy.

Whoa, this game is free? I didn't know that. I will download it when I get home.

Free and FUN! (Even if I do suck at it.)

dave, if you want to do well without a lot of effort, just play heavy.

Whenever you spin up the minigun, always jump first. Whenever you go around corners, jump and spin.
Be aware of sniper lines. Avoid them whenever possible. Try to keep to relatively confined spaces. The more people who can shoot at you, the worse off you'll be.
Right-click with the sandvich equipped to drop it. This gives you ammo and everyone else health. Use it to give your medic health.
When nothing is really going on, shoot behind you every so often.

Whoa. Heavy.

It's also a good idea for new players to play Medic. You're not required to shoot and kill people, you just 1) Keep your team mates alive, and 2) Do your best to not die. Plus it gives you a chance to follow other players around, and watch how they play their classes.

I find it interesting how Medic is both a good newbie class and a crucial class for every level of competitive play.

A good medic can make all the difference for a team. Actually, a mediocre medic can make all the difference; I say that as a middling medic who has seen just how much a difference can be made switching to the class.

Buddy of mine who I just got them started on the game was incredibly frustrated, until I switched to a healer and followed him around. All of a sudden he was unstoppable and loving everything.