Dedicated Server for XBL.

[TRIGGER M4N]

I've been hearing people talking about how XBL should have dedicated servers. I'm not sure what they are, so what are they? And how would they help in making Xbox-Live a better experience? I heard people saying the infamous 'host advantage' would be gone _o_

Any enlightment on what Dedicated servers are? And are they needed for XBL, coz as I understand it, XBL is P2P at the minute.

[xboxguy]

a dedicated server is a machine that the game is not being played on, it just manages all the players connections, therefore there are no host advantages besides being in control of the game settings. i dont know how it works if you want a technical explanation though.

[JasonA]

I saw the option to host a match on a dedicated server? I think it was worms, not too sure - but if it's not worms, Ive seen the dedicated server option in a game?

[max2663]

yeh thats a good idea as i keep getting killed by the host rampaging round with the shotgun (providing im not the host hehehe)

[TRIGGER M4N]

I saw the option to host a match on a dedicated server? I think it was worms, not too sure - but if it's not worms, Ive seen the dedicated server option in a game?

The first Rainbow Six had it, I think.

[Arian]

Basically you log on to Xbox Live and play any game that's hosted by the game developer's servers.

ie - Need for Speed Carbon, you play on EA servers instead of Microsoft servers.

[_Chris_]

i think the ones people are talking about are the ones where the host doesnt play the game, as was already said, the host just manages settings and such like, he would just spectate the game thus getting rid of host advantage and reducing lag

[Curry]

Some developers deploy dedicated servers yeah, especially if the game is popular and will otherwise crap the shit out of player's connections. Using dedicated servers higher player counts are feasible, but you wouldn't want to know how many servers it takes to get a game like Halo 2 or 3 on dedicated machines... that's a whole datacenter or so.

[Rossko_UK]

I saw the option to host a match on a dedicated server? I think it was worms, not too sure - but if it's not worms, Ive seen the dedicated server option in a game?

That'll be Rainbow Six: Vegas. You can opt for your machine to be the dedicated server (connection dependant), meaning that 16 players can play as opposed to 14 (I think it's 14). However it means you have the pleasure of sitting there doing nothing, whilst everyone else has a blast, since the ded. server can't join in.

[JasonA]

oh thanks...i knew i'd seen it somewhere

[_Chris_]

That'll be Rainbow Six: Vegas. You can opt for your machine to be the dedicated server (connection dependant), meaning that 16 players can play as opposed to 14 (I think it's 14). However it means you have the pleasure of sitting there doing nothing, whilst everyone else has a blast, since the ded. server can't join in.

I'm sure thats pretty much what i said..lol

[JasonA]

I'm sure thats pretty much what i said..lol

Yeah it was just bugging me which game I'd seen it in - cos I knew it was only one game...It is RB:6 but what idiot is going to host a game that he can't play? Why bother with that???

[_Chris_]

Yeah it was just bugging me which game I'd seen it in - cos I knew it was only one game...It is RB:6 but what idiot is going to host a game that he can't play? Why bother with that???

yeah its true, i would guess clan matches, get say one team with 7 players and the host team with 8, the host dedicated, so the clan match has no host advantage and less lag..thats the only really good reason i could see for it...unless the host goes away for a while and wants to say...be an observer, but im unsure if you can change to dedicated or not like in lobby...

[Rossko_UK]

Whoops yeah, sorry Chris, I didn't see your post for some reason!

The idea is handy for clan matches as you said, because someone could have two 360s and just set one up as a dedicated server. An expensive way of doing it (two 360s and two copies of the game), but great for clans.

[_Chris_]

Ahh yeah thats true...but as you say...SO expencive..though i must say i have met people who seem like that would do something like that...some people get far too into their clans and suchlike..:P

[Praetorian]

We need more D. servers for bigger games - I want more than 24 players in the next battlefield game thank you EA.

[Rossko_UK]

EA do have dedicated servers...

[Curry]

EA do have dedicated servers...
Not for BF franchise I think.

[nofear360]

Not for BF franchise I think.
I think he was being sarcastic :?

[_Chris_]

i swear modern combat has a D server...the demo does anyway

[Rossko_UK]

I think he was being sarcastic :?

No, EA do have their own dedicated servers, and I also felt sure Battlefield had it's own servers. That's why you have to sign up and read some different Terms and Conditions to those of Live.

I might be wrong, but I'm 98% sure I'm right :P

[_Chris_]

See i knew that and i dont even have the game! ...Bit cockey there...sorry..

[nofear360]

No, EA do have their own dedicated servers, and I also felt sure Battlefield had it's own servers. That's why you have to sign up and read some different Terms and Conditions to those of Live.

I might be wrong, but I'm 98% sure I'm right :P
I guess you're right about BF2 having dedicated servers but I don't remember signing up or whatsoever when I was playing the game back in May.

[Rossko_UK]

You don't sign up per-se, but unlike other Live games, EA ask you to confirm that you agree to their T & Cs, which basically means that you agree to use their servers. You won't do it in any other game unless it's an EA game, and the first time you do it you'll receive an email from EA too.

[nofear360]

You don't sign up per-se, but unlike other Live games, EA ask you to confirm that you agree to their T & Cs, which basically means that you agree to use their servers. You won't do it in any other game unless it's an EA game, and the first time you do it you'll receive an email from EA too.
Yeah, it's gotta be something like that.