What do you look for in a server?

[Woody2 25]

I'm trying to boost players numbers on my server (30 slot public, 1pp only). After 6 weeks, ranking is improving week on week, numbers are increasing with evening peaks going up to 15/20 players on occasions and a few players online regularly. But the big task is to fill it regularly, and in order to do this I'd like to ask what players look for in a server? Stability, accessibility, events, specialisation, or whatever? I'm looking to introduce events and possibly prizes, but I'd like to hear what other players want from a server.

EDIT - added server details and link

IP-81.19.216.50

Port 2300

 

 

 

Edited February 28, 2016 by Woody2

[sneakydude 480]

I asked this a year ago. Right now isn't a good time to be buying a new server. Your numbers may not increase due to decreasing of numbers in dayz (patches).

So like some love the idea of vanilla dayz, no scripts etc. Others want it modded etc..  Some love pvp, pve and survival. Others just want PVE with survival. Then we have another category called role play. Acting out like the Jackson 5. This last category is not for me, as you can see by my comment It is merely a way for people to play a different role in their life.

I would recommend keeping it the same and publish the information to people that love 1p servers. I dont believe the mods would, mind you advertising this on the general discussion boards as 1p is rather rare. They might even allow for pinning of 1p servers under server boards too.

We have a few advocates that want 1p servers. So i would ask around getting serious 1p numbers to play. Dont switch it. We have hicks, we have emuthreat, we have biohaze, and coldatrophy i believe that like 1p only servers and might be friends. They all might be able to help attract more people to the server.

But i dont know for sure you would have to PM them.

So woody2, good luck to you and all those that play on the server. I expect you having to increase it to 50 and get solid server donations to keep it alive. If you dont get others involved with keeping it alive, we will end up with all 1p/3p servers and no 1p only servers. So i would recommend posting a donation clip somewhere. Its a ton of cash on 1 person.

 

EDIT = Nighttime only might attract some too when infected are in.

Edited February 27, 2016 by sneakydude

[LordBlackwolf 656]

I prefer 1p myself so feel free to add me to the list.

[sneakydude 480]

woody create a site signature with the information for 1p in it. With IP Addy, and information. It might attract many people.

[Funkmaster Rick 373]

Personally, what I look for most in a server (aside from 1pp only) is community. I want to feel like there might be more to do on a server than just loot, scoot, and shoot. Sometimes that means events, sometimes it means RP, but mostly it means a way of sharing experiences.

If you want to push your server to the max, the best you can do is make sure all the support systems are in place - namely, have a subreddit or forum for your server. Find out who the regulars on your server are, and try to interact with them publicly on the aforementioned subreddit or forum. In general, show people that your server has personality.

Good luck.

[Woody2 25]

Thanks guys for the really constructive comments.

It's clear to me this is a wonderful (albeit unfinished) game, with such immersive atmosphere, and a good core of loyal and dedicated players. Although not all are necessarily looking for the same experience from the game as me, I will take these comments on board and see what I can do going forward. My primary objective was always stability. No one gets kicked (provided they observe the basic rules), there are no special treatment cliques, and this is going to be a server that will not disappear overnight. I have committed to pay for it out my own pocket for 12 months at least.

I know 1pp is aiming at a smaller player base, but I want all who come on the server, especially new players, to know they are welcome and can always contact me if they have a problem. I'm sure, along with the suggestions already made, that in the long run this is a sound strategy for keeping players coming back.

[emuthreat 2837]

Like sneaky said...  I suggest you do a search of the 1PP topics; you should pretty easily get a few names of players that you could actively market the server to through PMs.  I'll be willing to set up camp on there once .60 goes stable in a few weeks.  

[Woody2 25]

I know this sounds daft, but I'm an old analogue dinosaur. How do I get the Gametrackers banner to appear in the thread? I've adopted the server and I've got all the stats coming through now, but for the life of me and I can't get the banner to appear on the thread.

[[DGN] Johnny 115]

Something else to consider is appealing to clans and groups. I love 1PP, 3PP is definitely something worth learning but IMO, nothing can replace being limited to what your character is looking at. The immersion of it, is just fantastic.

That said, generally clans desire some sort of incentive or background with the server owner. It's a long term commitment to move a playerbase unto someones server, and there's isnt a clan leader out there that wants to be seen as wasting their members time, especially if the server owner has some crazy agenda that later develops.

It's a huge trust issue.

[DGN] is currently scouting servers for a move, after the next hard wipe. I think a lot of players are in that same boat. Now is definitely the time to prep the framework and get your name and goals out there to attract the soon to be hobo masses of DayZ. ;)

 

[Woody2 25]

Thanks Johnny,

I understand that, and commitment is something I've tried to give in terms of players knowing the server will be here for a long time (and the name isn't going to be changed or messed about with either). Have switched to quarterly billing from March and keep my account topped up so GD can collect payment as soon as the invoice is issued.

In the thread I posted in the servers section, I said I'd welcome and help however I can a clan to set up on the server and set up a safe zone (or make an area their own) or whatever. Offer is still there.

I'm also looking for someone trust worthy to act as 2nd admin, as obviously I can't be on the server all the time.

PM me if you want further info.