The Shack - a different kind of Taviana server.

[CitizenIosef` 7]

Mission statement:

The Shack is committed to providing...

-A different kind of DayZ experience than vanilla,

-An environment where small groups of 2-6 can thrive along with lone wolves and large groups,

-A server which features an accelerated starting loadout with weapons and survival gear,

-A server who not only listens to its players, but actively seeks their opinions for making the server better,

-Side chat free of voice comms,

-Teamspeak server to contact administration as well as provide communication for small groups,

-A fair experience where admin do not unfairly help one group over another,

-Active monitoring for hackers, and our best efforts at restoring gear after a hacking event.

The setting we seek to provide in game terms is somewhat removed from the vanilla DayZ experience. Where vanilla DayZ provides an experience representing survival months after a zombie event, The Shack seeks an experience days or weeks after a zombie event. The Taviana map provides a perfect setting for this venture. Vehicles are more varied and more common, streets are clear and connect to an excellent highway system, large cities make an excellent backdrop for fights against survivors and bandits.

The drive to create this server was sourced from a difficulty finding a server with faster-paced gameplay and fair administration. I distinctly recall a map where I was informed that the helicopter spawn sites had been removed... right after I watched two UH-1Hs fly overhead. I questioned this, and was told that the helicopters were for admin only. Now every private server is allowed to run their own server how they see fit, but I want to make this very clear: We are committed to a fair environment. If you see another player using a weapon or tool, you have the opportunity to find the same. No favorites, all players are the same.

The requisite info:

We are running the .com version of Taviana, not the .eu version.

Server IP: 173.192.170.117:3085

TeamSpeak IP: theshack.teamspeak.net

Admin contact e-mail: DayZShack@Gmail.com

Darkness at around ~11pm PST, regular difficulty, many vehicles of varied type available.

Gotcha anti-hack running(teleport detection autokick/ban disabled - no more being kicked for flying).

Players of all type(friendly, survivor, bandit) welcome.

Groups of all sizes welcome.

Players from Butte College especially welcome!

Chico State D-bags can go elsewhere(just kidding[or am I?]).

Edited January 10, 2013 by CitizenIosef`

[CitizenIosef` 7]

Updated 27Dec12

Rules:

-No hacking, obviously.

-No voice in side chat, unless your group is the only individuals on the server.

-Combat logging STRONGLY discouraged. If we hear too many reports of such, warnings and eventually bans will be handed out.

Current state of The Shack:

-As of this writing(27Dec12), the server seems to have picked up a few regular groups. The night-time crew has filled out, as has the morning crew. People seem to be staking their claims, and developing positive and negative relationships towards one another. This is good, and what we want to see. We've seen some very creative uses of the large number of vehicles provided, some fairly epic groups formed, and equally epic fights on the ground and in the sky.

-There are a few issues with map bugs - to be expected with such a new map. Current bugs as of this writing(13Dec12) are:

1) Sometimes people spawn in deep water. Contact admin to see if we can help you out. [update: should be fixed in tavi2.0] [update #2, this does not appear to be occurring any longer.]

2) Players logging in may find themselves in the same location they left, but in a swimming state. Moving around some seems to fix the issue. If it does not, contact admin. [update: should be fixed in tavi2.0] [update #2: This bug persists with less frequency. Workaround remains the same - move in a direction until you pop up, or if near a vehicle, get in and get out.]

3) A player has reported that his gun/packpack went missing between logging off and logging back in. Admin have not been able to replicate the bug, but some players have decided to place essential weapons and gear in vehicles before logging off. Update 18Dec12: It's been five days and so far we have been unable to replicate this bug. We're assuming it was a one-off event.

4) There is an error at login associated with one of the building types added to the map. There seems to be no ill effect to the error, and we have determined that the building in question adds far more value than the annoyance of the message takes away. Also provides combat loggers with an annoying window, so hah. This has been fixed.

5) In-game repeating messages seem to be broken again - rules posted above in the meantime, warnings will be given out manually more frequently. [update: haven't found a specific fix yet, but hopefully will be included in next bliss update]

6) Using the 'refuel' option while in a vehicle will result in BE kicking the player with a script restriction 44 error. This is a known bug, and apparently a workaround is in development. Note that this does not extend to using the 'refuel from x vehicle' option offered when near a refueling truck - this still works perfectly. UPDATE: The refuel option will work without kick if you are in/on a fuel station. It is only outside of these locations where you will be kicked for using the refuel option. [update: fix in the wind between tavi2.0, new bliss, and Ersan magic] [update again - looks like Ersan magic worked first. just tested, no kick.]

-Darkness has been set to around 11pm PST. The rationale for this time instead of 24hr daytime is to allow people who work or go to school to still enjoy DayZ with daylight without completely de-valuing night-time equipment or denying individuals the relatively easier looting to be had at night.

-We have set some non-spawning weapons to show up inside of certain vehicles. Check those vehicles, people!

Expected future features:

-The next version of DayZ(1.7.5) should include:

1) The G36 family of weapons added to loot spawns,

2) The SA.58(vZ.58) family of weapons added to loot spawns,

3) The M40A3 added to loot spawns,

4) The MH-6J littlebird,

5) Zombies spawning while players are in vehicles(no more rolling through empty towns)

6) Zombies damaging vehicle glass. Once glass is gone, players inside vehicles may be damaged.

7) Zombies pulling players from open vehicles.

8) Gender selection screen.

9) Combat mode activated by more events(zombies damaging players)

10) Mi-17 and UH-1H door guns max ammo of 100.

11) Crash sites won't spawn at restart, but rather at random intervals throughout the game.

12) Cargo space of helis and some aircraft reworked; Mi-17 now holds double what the UH-1H can hold, and the AN-2 is a transport monster.

13) Czech vest pouch now holds 12 slots.

14) Zombies talk to each other when within 100m of each other? (no idea what this means, but it'll be fun to find out!)

15) Loads of bugfixes.

-The next version of the Taviana map(2.0) should include the following: [update: All now available, undergoing last bit of second stage testing, no major issues yet. Will be deploying over the next ten days or so]

1) M7 Maule bushplane. Hell yeah, a bushplane that isn't huge.

2) Repair trucks. Administration is currently discussing how best to implement these. They may become as rare as fuel trucks are in the current map.

3) UAZ with DShKM HMG. We're particularly excited about this, as the DShKM should provide effective counter to the heavier helos. The DayZ Taviana guys were particularly smart in adding variable ammo counts for armed vehicles - which gives us another tool in which to balance things.

4) MV-22 Osprey. Not sure how we'll handle this - it might just provide the best of both worlds where the C130 and heavy helos are concerned. Balance will be an issue.

5) The GAZ Vodnik and GAZ Vodnik MedEvac. Administration to debate how best to add these(would have really preferred the BRDM-2 HQ - amphibious capability would have been interesting).

6) The Kamaz family of deuce and a half equivalent trucks. More variance in the MTVR/Ural class of vehicles will be nice.

7) HMMWV Ambulance with healing disabled.

8) C-130J without radar, although radar-enabled version is still available.

9) Loads of bugfixes(wood easier to gather, spawning in while swimming issues resolves, etc)

FAQs

-"I saw a player with a weapon/vehicle that is not in DayZ! Is he a hacker?" Probably not. We have set many access paths to obtain weapons that do not naturally spawn, and just about every vehicle has been tested at some point or another.

-"Can you spawn me a car tire?" No.

(I was thinking the FAQ might have been a bad idea until I got a decent question:)

-"Why are you running the taviana.com version of Taviana instead of the .eu version?" Fair question. Taken at face value as of this writing(18Dec12) and using the 1.7.4.4 version of taviana.com, the .eu version is probably a superior map. We feel that the development of the taviana.com version will put us closer to our goals with the server through a wider selection of vehicles and very open development staff. We can easily track all changes coming in the pipeline and make plans based on that information. We have every confidence that the taviana.com version will be as valid an option as the taviana.eu version in the near future.

[any other questions? post 'em up and we'll answer them]

Edited December 28, 2012 by CitizenIosef`

[Goggalor 191]

I'm downloading Taviana right now and then I'm going to give your server a shot.

[Siberian (DayZ) 527]

im not really seeing how ur Tav. server differs tbh ..

it sounds like every other Tav. server that i've played on. with the exception of whateva ur starting loadout is (bad idea if you ask me )

GL with it thou.

[CitizenIosef` 7]

I'm downloading Taviana right now and then I'm going to give your server a shot.

Thanks!

I've been really impressed with Taviana so far. It's early in development, and there are some somewhat annoying bugs, but so far nothing absolutely game-breaking.

Just to be clear, we're running the .com version of Taviana, not the .eu one.

im not really seeing how ur Tav. server differs tbh ..

it sounds like every other Tav. server that i've played on. with the exception of whateva ur starting loadout is (bad idea if you ask me )

GL with it thou.

Heh, yeah, it can be hard to tell the difference sometimes. In fact, it's kind of hard to say that it's not different when you start adding custom spawn points and buildings. What I really mean by saying that it's a different kind of server... Well, we want this to be the kind of server that people say "Wow, yeah, they listen to our feedback!"

Take the starting loadout, for example. We've gone through several iterations of starting loadout, all based on feedback from the players. We're trying to strike that fine balance between being well-equipped as one would expect given the background setting we've selected, and still featuring the survival gameplay we've all come to love.

Edited December 13, 2012 by CitizenIosef`

[ILLICI7 2]

well done citizenlosef.

hello dayz people, names ILLICI7 and i am the owner of "The Shack" dayz server, there really isnt much i can further explain since citizenlosef did such a fantastic job. probably gonna repeat alittle here but i encourage you all to voice your opinions/suggestions/complaints to our email (dayzshack@gmail.com) THIS, i believe is what will make the difference from any other server out there, WE LISTEN! this helps alot for a all rounded game play expirence, we have had a few suggestions already and have implimented it into the gear.

weapons/loot i have added to the vehicles that spawn in i try to match the type of vehicle, IE the SUV this will have some sorta contractors weapon, other european type vehicles will have european type weapons and so on and so on.

NOW the big problem ive seen with other private hives is the admin only sided gear.. THIS will DEFINITLY NOT happen in this server, any and all gear/vehicles that we have, any player can have!

question i got asked while in game "how friendly is the server?" right now there is a good mix of PVZ and PVP. alot of people dont like the PVP aspect of the game, i think it adds a extra caution when looting a town/vehicle.

well thats all from me for now, hope to see you guys on the server!! have fun!

[ILLICI7 2]

double post please delete this one

Edited December 16, 2012 by ILLICI7

[CitizenIosef` 7]

Snip!

Edited January 10, 2013 by CitizenIosef`

[CitizenIosef` 7]

Quick update: This server is currently still running the taviana.com 1.7.4.4 map. We should see a move over to Tavi2.0 soon: Next week at the outside, next few days optimistically. The switch is dependant on Bliss incorporation of the map - we will be running the proper Bliss and not a branch development.

We are so excited to see tavi2.0 coming out. The map is fully prepared for testing of new vehicles, and otherwise our admin workload has been pretty light the last few days.

[Goggalor 191]

Is something up with the server? I can't access it.

[ILLICI7 2]

I believe updates are being done goggalor. a message was left on the teamspeak server. come check it out.

The address is listed in the first post. i did how ever just check the status and it said it was up and running for the server... i am no where near my computer to confirm a connection though.

[Goggalor 191]

Okay, I don't have teamspeak installed on this computer, so I didn't check that.

I kind of figured there was maintenance being done in relation to the update. Thanks for the quick update though.

[CitizenIosef` 7]

Hey Goggalor!

Sorry about the downtime - updating took longer than expected, and initial new vehicle testing took a bit longer than expected as well.

Server is unlocked and restarting as of this writing. Feel free to drop by!

Post detailing changes to follow.

[CitizenIosef` 7]

First and foremost: Happy Holidays from The Shack!

https://dl.dropbox.c...ryChristmas.jpg

(Full resolution version at link)

So this has been an exciting day for The Shack. We've finally upgraded to Taviana 2.0. Thanks go to the Taviana.com guys, Ayan for the Bliss code, and Ersan at DayZ.st for making deployment possible.

Taviana 2.0 looks to be running like a charm so far. We're excited to see what you guys think of it. Some highlights of recent changes below:

We've noticed that quite a few of our European players are suffering lag spikes that put them over the 350 ping limit. The ping limit has been raised to compensate - usually the pings are quite reasonable, and we think a player suffering an occasional lag spike shouldn't mean the loss of the helicopter they were flying. Note that we haven't been asked to raise the limit; we noticed an issue and took steps to correct it. If this ends up raising other issues, we'll revisit the change and continue the workflow from there.

The vehicles in the image above just got out of the initial testing phase. We will be moving to the secondary testing phase, where small numbers are let into the wild to see how they perform. Usually this is done with a small amount of spawn points, but since these are already on the map... First come first serve to whoever recognizes the location. :) Once we can gather enough feedback, we'll move into deployment. We're particularly excited about the UAZ with DShKM HMG turret. While easily the most powerful ground-based weapon system yet introduced, it is balanced by the very open gunner position. We're hoping that widespread deployment of this system will help break the stranglehold helicopter-using groups have had on the server to date. More on this later. The repair vehicles are of special concern to us, as they threaten to break the scavenging requirement to the vehicle operation game. On the other hand, they provide the only method of repairing certain aircraft. We'll be keeping a close eye on them, and their effect on the server.

The grand experiment that was the AH-64D will most likely be coming to a close for the imminent future.

We had certain expectations that had to be met in order to retain this aircraft - chiefly being a high turnover rate - and these expectations have not been met. As a consequence, we're more or less moving testing into another phase: AH-64Ds will not respawn any longer, and the handful of existing aircraft will be closely monitored to see how they fair in the new higher-threat environment presented by the enhanced ability for ground forces to effectively engage air threats.

Note: If you're one of the few that have managed to obtain and hold onto an Apache, your aircraft will not be taken from you in the night. We're not in the business of taking your hard work away from you, even if it was us that miscalculated the impact on gameplay that these aircraft would bring.

For those not familiar with the AH-64D in The Shack, its Hydra rockets and Hellfire missiles are not operational, but the 30mm chain gun certainly is. It appears to be somewhat less survivable than the Mi-17 in the armor department. So far, pilots appeared to have issues dealing with the combination of low visibility, aggressive terrain altitude gradients, and poor high-speed handlings with this airframe. Most AH-64D losses have been to accidents of one type or another. The second most common cause of AH-64D destruction has been at the hands of another AH-64D pilot. Only one pilot has admitted to losing an AH-64D to ground fire. We expect these ratios to change with the inclusion of the HMG-armed UAZ, but by far the most unbalancing feature of the AH-64D is the combination of armament and radar. These two features put together makes for an unbalanced seek-and-destroy vehicle, and we're frankly looking forward to the remaining examples to be lost to attrition.

For those that missed the AH-64D boat, there are still a specific number of unclaimed examples in the wild, or you may be able to obtain one through more nefarious means. Moving forward, we're going to be making the far-fetched request to the Tavi.com guys to include a radarless and ammo-restricted attack helicopter of Russian pedigree - perhaps the Mi-24 or KA-52. An air threat greater than the UH-1H and Mi-17 remains a goal of The Shack, as is access to increased capability for ground forces to deal with such aircraft.

That's all for now. As always, we invite players of any type and any time zone to join us in the mayhem - currently the most active time bracket is the morning, so we're especially looking for some night guys to beef up numbers there. If you're a heli pilot, you'll find your services in demand here as most of the playerbase is not versed in the operation of aircraft. If you're a friendly, there are plenty of friendlies that the experienced guys can point you towards. If you're a bandit hunter, well, a group of bandits has claimed the entire western island and there are players on here that would love for you to do something about that. If you're a bandit - I'm sure the 'plenty of friendlies' comment got you excited.

'Till next time,

-wingnut

Edited December 24, 2012 by CitizenIosef`

[CitizenIosef` 7]

Server is down as of this writing. There seems to be an issue with the Taviana install. Will update when more is known.

[CitizenIosef` 7]

I'm pleased to say that the server is back up. It warmed my heart to see a flood of players join moments after the server went hot again, and I want to give a big thank you to all of the regulars for your patience!

New vehicles will continue to be deployed today, and many of the vehicles in the image above are still available at that location. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!

[CitizenIosef` 7]

Our teamspeak IP is now easier to remember: theshack.teamspeak.net

Old IP address still works - the text address just routes to the numerical IP.

[CitizenIosef` 7]

Gentlemen, the server is down at this time. Tech is currently working on it, and we will keep you appraised of the situation.

On another note, I'd like to arrange an in-game sit-down meeting with any players that wish to participate to go over options for upcoming changes and get feedback, as well as share some words on the state of The Shack at this time(aside from being down due to network issues).

[CitizenIosef` 7]

And server is back up. Thank you all for your patience.

[CitizenIosef` 7]

A ban appeal process has been opened. As this is the first ban appeal process which carries any significant weight(and may have far-reaching connotations based on appeal outcome), we will be adhering to the appeals process to the letter. The conclusion of the ban appeal process includes making all relevant transcripts available in the interest of transparency.

We have been clear in the past that exploits are considered hacking. However, there seems to be a grossly unfortunate misunderstanding of what an exploit is. An exploit is usage of an unintended game mechanic or bug which results in an advantage that a player would otherwise not have had. Duplication is but one line on a very long list of exploits, and is a bannable offense. Accidental duplication happens - contact administration so that they may remove the duplicated item with no questions asked.

Furthermore, I'd like to be clear about The Shacks implemented strategy for hackers: We not only ban individual actors who have been caught hacking, but we also ban all actors who operate in conjunction with said hacking actor. This has worked brilliantly thusfar.

Non-accidental and unreported exploits are considered hacking.

[CitizenIosef` 7]

Update on appeal of Mt. Dew Marauders ban.

Appeal has been denied by server owner.

One week ban lifted, permanent ban put in place.

Transparency of incident to be provided below:

Mt. Dew Marauder came into possession of a L115, the only example of it's kind on the server. We decided to let him keep it for testing purposes. Soon after gaining possession of rifle, there were multiple copies of this weapon. There had been suspicions of his crew duplicating items, but no concrete evidence had been gathered at this point. With the duplication of the rifle, we had more than circumstantial evidence of this occurring. The issue at this point was whether or not to continue with our usual policy of banning all individuals associated with a hacker. The issue in this case is that Mt. Dew Marauder had organized an alliance with most of the regular players on the server, many of which we knew to be hard working and honest players. As an interim stopgap fix, we removed all L115s from the server until we could decide what to do about the situation.

A few days later, Mt. Dew was found typing messages in chat in full view of administration. Below is the relevant chat transcript:

[2013-01-09 | 11:29:47] (Vehicle) Mt.Dew Marauder: our duped shit.. it disappeared. :( I am back to an alice no coyote

[2013-01-09 | 11:29:48] (Vehicle) turnip: you?

[2013-01-09 | 11:30:04] (Vehicle) Mt.Dew Marauder: That's the vibe I've gotten, I just haven't played as extensively as you have with them.

[2013-01-09 | 11:30:13] RCon admin #0 logged in

[2013-01-09 | 11:30:22] (Vehicle) Mt.Dew Marauder: Wanted your opinion. So we're all on the same page. Sweet.

[2013-01-09 | 11:30:39] (Vehicle) Mt.Dew Marauder: But we do need to establish some form of.. storage area...

[2013-01-09 | 11:30:48] RCon admin #1: (Global) How retarded do you have to be to talk about your duped equipment with an admin present?

[2013-01-09 | 11:31:00] (Vehicle) Mt.Dew Marauder: :D

[2013-01-09 | 11:31:21] (Vehicle) Mt.Dew Marauder: We found out it duped when we tried storing shit in a vehicle.

[2013-01-09 | 11:31:34] (Vehicle) Mt.Dew Marauder: Didn't bother trying to do it again. Illict mentioned it would do that.

[2013-01-09 | 11:31:42] (Vehicle) Mt.Dew Marauder: And it all disappeared. So meh.

[2013-01-09 | 11:33:06] RCon admin #1: (Global) Feel free to appeal with Illicit.

[2013-01-09 | 11:33:24] Banned Mt.Dew Marauder from the server! (GUID)

[2013-01-09 | 11:33:24] Player #3 Mt.Dew Marauder (94c30c89f0b0483de78f8026adcb0876) has been kicked by BattlEye: Admin Ban (Duped equipment)

Let me be clear: We should have handled this differently. We should have banned him outright with the first concrete evidence found, and left the decision making about other members of this apparent ring of item duplicators to another time. We apologize to our playerbase for making this misstep, and hope you will continue to enjoy our server.

[CitizenIosef` 7]

Our host, DayZ.ST, is currently installing DDoS protection. Our server is down, and there is currently no ETA on when it will be back up. Once it is back up, we expect to be better protected from DDoS revenge attacks for banning hackers and the like.

[shotokun16 0]

Just want to say thanks for the kindness and assistance (i.e. tour and map 101 the other night [wing]); keep up the good work and balance! cheers

(carebear)

Edited January 13, 2013 by shotokun16

[CitizenIosef` 7]

Anytime carebear, you and Steven are always welcome at The Shack.

Server is back up, btw. Now with DDoS protection!

[iSpud 0]

Attempted to join your server and after a lengthy load time, opened my map to see where I spawned at which time I was kicked for "RemoteExec restriction #10" or something to that effect. Upon attempting to rejoin, the same occurs before I'm even able to fully load in (my screen says something about waiting for character to create for a tenth of a second or something and then I'm kicked.)

Not really sure what the problem is, or why it only happens on your server, but I'm unable to play there.