Hi everyone!
It's been so great seeing so much activity since QHLAN 2017, tonight we even had 2 simultaneous mixes going on, and I even got to watch oldschool heavyweights Focu and Blitzer play 2on2 and duels, them just playing with the thought of bringing back cable and spetnaz for a complete zetor (clan z) team for the Rankade 4on4 Ladder. Nostalgia heaven!
It just happens that I've been thinking about the need (and longing?) for a really awesome FFA server, both for experienced players, but especially for newcomers - where basic skills can be honed, which is very hard in 2on2/4on4/mix for unexperienced players. And I've seen quite a few new players joining the servers or discord, curious about QW and willing to learn, even though it's a pretty steep learning curve.
Personally I'm very nostalgic and dream away to GameSpy/All-Seeing-Eye 56k-modem days, when it felt so magical to play on for example the Finnish eDome Small and Large servers.
I know that for example qw.servegame.org:27500 is a fairly popular FFA server at the moment, but for me the map pool doesn't seem to be that old/faithful in regard to what would be considered oldschool FFA.
I've read the forum threads here about the xs4all map pool, and suggestions for that map pool, but since those posts are a few years old, I'd like some input to what kind of maps people would love to see today. Of course it could be a mix of newer maps, but mainly consist of older/original FFA maps.
I've had a test FFA server (BLT POWAH oLdScHo0L FFA - KTX) online for just a couple of days this week with instant activity on it, which is very positive. Somebody was very happy to play DM3 FFA for the first time in many many years =)
Here's the map rotation so far:
// map rotation
set k_ml_0 "dm4"
set k_ml_1 "ultrav"
set k_ml_2 "spinev2"
set k_ml_3 "ztndm6"
set k_ml_4 "dm3"
set k_ml_5 "pkeg1"
set k_ml_6 "shine"
set k_ml_7 "death32c"
set k_ml_8 "a2"
set k_ml_9 "dm5"
set k_ml_10 "aggressr"
set k_ml_11 "dm1a"
set k_ml_12 "jvx1"
set k_ml_13 "schloss"
set k_ml_14 "dm6"
set k_ml_15 "ukooldm3"
set k_ml_16 "ztndm3"
set k_ml_17 "warfare"
set k_ml_18 "e1m2"
set k_ml_19 "spitfire"
set k_ml_20 "dark-terror-ffa"
The test server has so far been running on my Macbook Pro (i7). Practically, when it comes to permanent hardware for the server, I've been considering a Mac Mini with Windows 7/10 (since it's very stable and energy efficient at maximum 80W, small and relatively powerful with i5/i7).
I've got a 8-core 2008 Mac Pro tower that hasn't been used for a while, but it would feel senseless to have that for QW-hosting, since it's running at 350-450 W, and somebody (me) would have to pay that electricity bill, and 80W is more environmental as well
My current cable modem ISP Comhem is pretty fast, but the routing sucks, so I'd need to find a location/host with a good fibre connection and decent routing (preferably in Stockholm if anyone has access to that or contacts).
Happy for any input and suggestions!
It's been so great seeing so much activity since QHLAN 2017, tonight we even had 2 simultaneous mixes going on, and I even got to watch oldschool heavyweights Focu and Blitzer play 2on2 and duels, them just playing with the thought of bringing back cable and spetnaz for a complete zetor (clan z) team for the Rankade 4on4 Ladder. Nostalgia heaven!
It just happens that I've been thinking about the need (and longing?) for a really awesome FFA server, both for experienced players, but especially for newcomers - where basic skills can be honed, which is very hard in 2on2/4on4/mix for unexperienced players. And I've seen quite a few new players joining the servers or discord, curious about QW and willing to learn, even though it's a pretty steep learning curve.
Personally I'm very nostalgic and dream away to GameSpy/All-Seeing-Eye 56k-modem days, when it felt so magical to play on for example the Finnish eDome Small and Large servers.
I know that for example qw.servegame.org:27500 is a fairly popular FFA server at the moment, but for me the map pool doesn't seem to be that old/faithful in regard to what would be considered oldschool FFA.
I've read the forum threads here about the xs4all map pool, and suggestions for that map pool, but since those posts are a few years old, I'd like some input to what kind of maps people would love to see today. Of course it could be a mix of newer maps, but mainly consist of older/original FFA maps.
I've had a test FFA server (BLT POWAH oLdScHo0L FFA - KTX) online for just a couple of days this week with instant activity on it, which is very positive. Somebody was very happy to play DM3 FFA for the first time in many many years =)
Here's the map rotation so far:
// map rotation
set k_ml_0 "dm4"
set k_ml_1 "ultrav"
set k_ml_2 "spinev2"
set k_ml_3 "ztndm6"
set k_ml_4 "dm3"
set k_ml_5 "pkeg1"
set k_ml_6 "shine"
set k_ml_7 "death32c"
set k_ml_8 "a2"
set k_ml_9 "dm5"
set k_ml_10 "aggressr"
set k_ml_11 "dm1a"
set k_ml_12 "jvx1"
set k_ml_13 "schloss"
set k_ml_14 "dm6"
set k_ml_15 "ukooldm3"
set k_ml_16 "ztndm3"
set k_ml_17 "warfare"
set k_ml_18 "e1m2"
set k_ml_19 "spitfire"
set k_ml_20 "dark-terror-ffa"
The test server has so far been running on my Macbook Pro (i7). Practically, when it comes to permanent hardware for the server, I've been considering a Mac Mini with Windows 7/10 (since it's very stable and energy efficient at maximum 80W, small and relatively powerful with i5/i7).
I've got a 8-core 2008 Mac Pro tower that hasn't been used for a while, but it would feel senseless to have that for QW-hosting, since it's running at 350-450 W, and somebody (me) would have to pay that electricity bill, and 80W is more environmental as well
My current cable modem ISP Comhem is pretty fast, but the routing sucks, so I'd need to find a location/host with a good fibre connection and decent routing (preferably in Stockholm if anyone has access to that or contacts).
Happy for any input and suggestions!
My Rocket Will Soon Be In Your Pocket!!! (c) xazqe - 1999
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