Improvement suggestions for Simbin´s dedicated server
23 January, 2010 - 18:36 | 
Diablo
Since we are discussing a lot about what is missing in the dedicated server for Race07, GTR Evolution and friends, I think it is time we start a brain storming. As we all know it is just frustrating how ridiculously hard it is to enforce the rules on our very own servers; it takes at least two of us to cope with all those wreckers and other drivers that just couldn´t care less about rules. Plus, there is only two people that have remote access to the server that is running the program, so if none of them is present we are bound to sit and watch how disrespectful people keep spoiling the fun for others that are serious about racing simulations. The voting system is not an option, even worse, if there are just enough of the bad guys to outnumber the good ones, they have the advantage.
So let´s gather some ideas here, and make a priority list of what we would like to see changed to the dedicated server program provided by Simbin and I will include it into an email to their development department. OK, I know there is always the chance of being ignored by them, but we at least have to try and raise our voice, as we are their loyal customers and have good reason to criticise (constructively!).
I ask you to write your ideas in the comments section and please keep it factual! We won´t score any points if we just collect swear words, and you never know who might be reading this. I will start with some items on my priority list. Some of them are blatantly stolen from rFactor, since that dedicated server program has little to complain about:
1. Admistrative access to the dedicated server program (not the computer that´s running it!), i.e. by chat commands, since it is unfeasable to hand out the password for the dedicated computer to too many people, it would just be like asking for trouble.
2. The possibility to change the way votes are evaluated, so that not only simple majority votes are possible, see above, if the bad guys outnumber the good they could just ban good drivers, which under no circumstances should be possible. In rFactor it is quite easy to change that, so for example to change the track or session it requires a unanimous decision (actually that´s how our rFactor server is set up). At the end of the day, the only reason why we forbid voting in our rules, besides the fact we cannot disable it, is just that some people are impatient, vote to the next session or track and those that have just joined haven´t even gotten out of the pits. In real life racing there is no such thing as a vote for what the drivers like to do, it is just dictated by the organisers, but occasionally, when they all agree they can even stop a race. I like democracy, but only when it comes to politics.
P.S.: Please let´s keep this on topic, which is about the dedicated server only. This is meant as a means to get some constructive criticism to Simbin´s attention, either by them stumbling on this blog or by me sending an email with the collected ideas and reasoning. Just ranting will get us nowhere.
Re: Improvement suggestions for Simbin´s dedicated server
I am terribly sorry CSeidel, I accidently edited your post instead of replying.
But most of us already know that you have reason to think that this attempt will not be succesful, to some it up in short. Here is what I wanted to reply:
Yeah, I know that there is a lot of claims that Simbin don´t care, BUT all I could find is a lot of people complaining that Simbin won´t hear them, never saw any proof that they tried contacting them before they started ranting in forums. And I think rants don´t get very far.
I think it is a matter of presentation and argumentation to make your point. And when I read some of those posts on forums: if they contacted Simbin in a similar language I can relate to Simbin not even caring to reply in any way. I believe Simbin get an awful lot of emails, and they cannot answer everyone, and those just shouting or swearing at them go directly to the trash bin.
At least I want to have tried before I give up. ;)
Oh, and there was no single idea in your comment. The energy to type it could just as well been used for an idea, I know gotta have some. :)
Re: Improvement suggestions for Simbin´s dedicated server
No problem with the accidently edited post - shit happens...
Indeed there was not a single idea in my comment although I have a lot of them.
We were talking about this stuff on TS and I only repeat this so everybody knows what we discussed and what I think.
I have a long history in simracing. I know racesims since anything showed up you can at least call an attempt at simulating race cars on computers in the early '90s (Indy 500, F1GP1). I know SIMBIN since their beginning as a modding group and I played the original GTR 2002 a lot. And I loved it.
There were times (GTR1 times) when there was an original SIMBIN forum, not that RSC crap. And already in these times a lot of people made comments about how to improve the dedi. Some of the comments were rude or just flaming. But especially in the beginning a lot of the comments and suggestions were made in a nice and constructive way. Their aim was to help the community, but also SIMBIN (that had a very good reputation in these times) to improve simracing experience and sales for the benefit of both sides. I think you know what I mean... ;-)
BUT...
Until today SIMBIN rarely ever listened to these comments and ignored nearly every suggestion made. So after years and years of asking, people got tired of being polite to a company completely ignoring their wishes. This resulted in the attitude a lot of people bring towards SIMBIN nowadays.
I really don't see how a small simracing community like OCM can make any difference in the behaviour of a company like SIMBIN. So if you want me to stress my brain I want to know why this is possibly different for OCM.
I'm not really a part of OCM since I don't pay for the server (I have my reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with the people at OCM), so I make suggestions but never even expect them to be taken into consideration and I'm fine with that. But still I like to contribute in any other way I can. In this case however, I can't see any sense.
I'm not happy about this situation, since I also would like to see SIMBIN reacting to customers complaints/suggestions, but sadly this is not reality.
Still SIMBIN games are my favourites because of the quality they deliver. It's far from being perfect, but still the best you can get for my very personal taste.
So tell me the difference and I will surely come up with a lot of nice ideas.
Re: Improvement suggestions for Simbin´s dedicated server
addition of a direct play via IP address
Dump steam
Ability to disable the voting system
Dump steam
Ability to become an admin via a command line in chat
Dump steam
Make the forcefeed back actually work all the time. (mine keeps turning off)
When a steam update has been completed tell us what the new patch has allegidly fixed.
Dump steam
Make game/server updates optional
Whats the reason why so many ports have to be opened. its a huge port range by comparison to the well written games.
Oh and if you didnt get it already Dump steam
Re: Improvement suggestions for Simbin´s dedicated server
Well that´s what I meant about keeping it factual, no offense, but this is not about Steam. I know your feelings about Steam and can at least understand your objections, but Simbin were pretty clear about not dropping Steam on facebook. Steam is not that big an issue to me, since it has the great benefit to ban people based on their steam ID, so they can change their name and IP as much they like but will never get into our servers again, after getting banned. I would be perfectly fine to accept Steam as a kind of necessary evil, if they improve the dedicated server.