BF4 Ranked Setup and startup.txt file

[Scarab]

Need some guidance and insight. There appear to be some servers configured the way we want ours, but we can't figure out the settings. We don't want Official Settings. Can't see the point of paying EA for a server we have absolutely little to no control over.

We want to run a server that is ranked, and will allow us to use some traditional settings we had in previous versions of BF. Basically we need access to admin for kill, kick ban and move players, as well as grant reserved slots access to members. Other less important settings but something we'd prefer would be a faster vehicle spawn time

The new Procon version creates a startup list, but they do not work. Does anyone have a startup.txt file to post that accomplishes this?

Thanks in advance.

[.=QUACK=.Major.Pain]

Procon provides kill, kick and ban, and has reserved slots list.
You should be able to setup Procon for the setting you want.

I think we had an issue with the startup in BF3 also.
It kept resetting to default or changing the setting to what we didn't want.
Can't recall how we dealt with it.

[Scarab]

Thanks Major. Procon didn't work, the pre-release code is still being tweaked so the config has errors. The problem appears to be Official Servers, vs Ranked Servers. For Official Servers, there is no admin/owner control, and therefore no point paying for a rented server. The Ranked Server lets us get back to where we were, or at least closer. Someone must have a startup.txt file that works, I'm hoping all this shakes out soon.

[.=QUACK=.Major.Pain]

With Procon, you can do all the admin stuff.
kick, ban, say, etc.
It just issues pb commands through the rcon.

[Scarab]

With Procon, you can do all the admin stuff.
kick, ban, say, etc. It just issues pb commands through the rcon.

This is BF4, so it doesn't apply if your server is setup using an "Official Setup". With an Official Setup, you can't kill, kick, ban, move players around, make for members to join or use a Reserved Slots list. Basically an Official Server Setup doesn't need admins. It's where players are placed if they hit the "Play Now" button in Battlelog. So while you can use Procon with an Official setup, there's no point . . . why would we pay to rent a server in the first place? (BTW, Kill works right now, but they're fixing that so you can't kill a player either. Move, Kick, Ban, etc. inactive on an Official Server setup)

A Ranked Server has a bit more flexibility and custom settings allowed, and it lets you use the RCON tools like Procon and a reserved slot list. That's the startup.txt config I'm hoping someone will post.

[10-78 Busterking]

They basically took away the "Play now" players away from us.

Dice isn't for the community gaming, they are all about themselves.

As if any of those changes are any good for us.

This is getting soooooo frustrating.

[Edge100x]

Yes, kick and ban still work on official servers when done through PB (our admin daemon uses PB, so our !kick and !ban commands also work). But, fundamentally this is a bug, and the chance is high that EA will fix it.

My recommendation would be to use Official servers primarily as advertising vehicles. Messages (admin.say / !say) are still allowed in them, so you can make sure players know where they are and what other servers they should use . Our admin daemon has a simple message system that you can use to set those up -- it might make sense to use our daemon on an Official server, even if you use Procon on others.

[J-English]

Overall i find NFO`s control panel "say" and "yell" pretty effective and easy to use.
Admin Daemon is pretty cool.

As for the NFO`s map cycler didnt work correctly with BF3 if i remember,but inputing it manually works best.

[Edge100x]

The map cycler works for BF3 and BF4 (and other games). It's very well-tested at this point! The main advantages to using the NFO cycler (if you're using our daemon) is that you'll be able to use the other map-related commands, and to use the random option.

[Scarab]

Edge: EA really needs to reconsider what they've done and fix it. I saw another thread where a user indicated the PB kick/ban still worked. I agree with you, they are likely working hard to shut it down, and I'm very concerned about the change in direction. There is no doubt this will contribute to further fragment the community.

There is little to no incentive to pay hard dollars to rent a server if we have no flexibility to control some of the key parameters such as allowing paying members to join a full server, admins the ability to kill/kick/ban racists and other trouble makers who drive players off a server, etc., etc., etc. (I realize I'm preaching to the choir here.)

We've all seen issues like this for many years, and we all know the challenges of operating a game server. Why Dice/EA doesn't see this from our angle (server operators with clan/teams) is completely preposterous. But this time, they are clearly putting us in a very difficult position.

Documentation for server operators is another sore spot with me. On or before launch, EA should release a full listing of setup variables and limitations describing the effect of each change. Firing up a new game shouldn't have to be a trial and error process of editing the startup.txt file, and rebooting the server. Change another parameter, reboot. It's completely insane.

If we'd like to shorten the vehicle spawn time by 50%, or activate the reserved slots list for our members who help pay for the server, we shouldn't be penalized for it.

Edge, none of my thoughts or comments above are directed at NFO. You guys get caught in the middle and still break your butts to help us. Your effort is remarkable and sincerely appreciated.

[Cyberbang3r]

Edge: EA really needs to reconsider what they've done and fix it. I saw another thread where a user indicated the PB kick/ban still worked. I agree with you, they are likely working hard to shut it down, and I'm very concerned about the change in direction. There is no doubt this will contribute to further fragment the community.

There is little to no incentive to pay hard dollars to rent a server if we have no flexibility to control some of the key parameters such as allowing paying members to join a full server, admins the ability to kill/kick/ban racists and other trouble makers who drive players off a server, etc., etc., etc. (I realize I'm preaching to the choir here.)

We've all seen issues like this for many years, and we all know the challenges of operating a game server. Why Dice/EA doesn't see this from our angle (server operators with clan/teams) is completely preposterous. But this time, they are clearly putting us in a very difficult position.

Documentation for server operators is another sore spot with me. On or before launch, EA should release a full listing of setup variables and limitations describing the effect of each change. Firing up a new game shouldn't have to be a trial and error process of editing the startup.txt file, and rebooting the server. Change another parameter, reboot. It's completely insane.

If we'd like to shorten the vehicle spawn time by 50%, or activate the reserved slots list for our members who help pay for the server, we shouldn't be penalized for it.

Edge, none of my thoughts or comments above are directed at NFO. You guys get caught in the middle and still break your butts to help us. Your effort is remarkable and sincerely appreciated.

I agree... These settings and forcing idle requirement will be the death of many communities. If we can't pop or seed our servers we will all fade away... Not any host problem yet but it will be when renewals are up... Just a heads up...

[Scarab]

These issues could have been completely avoided by simply consulting with the community, perhaps EA could have created a server operator and admin council for input. I know the Game Service Providers (like NFO) attempt to voice concerns, but there doesn't appear to be a voice at the corporate table. It's just aggravating.

The message forums are full of similar topic posts by the operators/admins. Many customers will walk rather than have a gun pointed at our head.

[Cyberbang3r]

These issues could have been completely avoided by simply consulting with the community, perhaps EA could have created a server operator and admin council for input. I know the Game Service Providers (like NFO) attempt to voice concerns, but there doesn't appear to be a voice at the corporate table. It's just aggravating.

The message forums are full of similar topic posts by the operators/admins. Many customers will walk rather than have a gun pointed at our head.

You are so right! Voice concerns is a must, but this a bonafide need of a red flag before the large communities start throwing in the white towel. If these concerns are not taken seriously they will see a ripple effect which leave these host with the short end of the stick. All the money invested in new equipment just to see your revenue cut in half in less than a billing cycle.

[10-78 Busterking]

Isn't this FPSadmin user "Kalms" part of DICE or connected to them:

http://www.fpsadmin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25348


2nd post in this thread: http://www.fpsadmin.com/forum/showthrea ... ight=Kalms


http://www.fpsadmin.com/forum/showthrea ... ight=Kalms

[woowoo]

Isn't this FPSadmin user "Kalms" part of DICE or connected to them:

http://www.fpsadmin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25348


2nd post in this thread: http://www.fpsadmin.com/forum/showthrea ... ight=Kalms


http://www.fpsadmin.com/forum/showthrea ... ight=Kalms

Yes, Kalms is part of DICE.