I just thought of something Waldo brushed upon quite some time ago.

I wonder how possible it is to set up a server where mappers can upload their custom maps, and this server would be shared with other servers in the sv_downloadurl.

This way mappers wouldnt have to keep doing "dod_x_v1" etc, for they could just overwrite the current one making updates quite easy. Everytime the map qould change the server would redownload the map as well as the clients, or we can just keep the version in name system intact if we wouldn't want to bother.

The server would possibly be a subscription service to finance the hordes of bandwidth. Maybe something like $3/month/playerslot.

The hard part would be making sure the url isnt stolen with an easy query, possibly putting in place some sort of filter where the server only accepts connections from servers that are paying for the service.

If this would happen custom map games wouldn'y be as big as a problem as now and the maps would become more mainstream quicker.

Also some sort of review staff could accompany the uploaded maps making a few of them shine.


Just a thought...

:carrot: :dog:

sik idea, would that be possible?

hi
i still have a dream that valve should supply a free custom content server for all mappers and game servers.

It's possible, I also had a very similar idea (posted in the server forum) a while back. I never went through with it because of changing circumstances in life, cost and because of the difficulty in only allowing those servers you want to, to use the sv_downloadurl (This was when you couldn't even hide the sv_download cvar). Though I have since thought up a way of blocking connections to everyone apart from those connecting from a subscribing server using .htaccess and referrer URL.

Your main problem is also bandwidth, a big popular custom maps server can easily use between 100 and 200gig datatransfer in one month. You get 10 servers participating and your talking about using any thing up to 2000gig a month. Which is fine as most dedicated servers come with that amount of transfer these days but it’ll set you back a good $150 a month, using these figures you would have to charge each client $15 per month if you was planning on this paying for it’s self. Most hosts these days supply a fastdownloads option when buying a STEAM based server for about $5 a month. With unlimited transfer and a fair few gig of storage.

Originally posted by DanM
....ransfer these days but it’ll set you back a good $150 a month, using these figures you would have to charge each client $15 per month if you was planning on this paying for it’s self. Most hosts these days supply a fastdownloads option when buying a STEAM based server for about $5 a month. With unlimited transfer and a fair few gig of storage.

Yah thas why i think something like $3 / month / download slot would be applicable.

Take the a 32 map server, which uses insane amounts of bandwidth, rents 32 slots, so thats 96 dollars per month. But you have a 20 player clan server, you can buy out 2 slots so you wont download as much but only 2 people can download the unique map.

I laughed my ass off when I started downloading maps from the "Band of Beavers Custom content server"
It just looks cool

You would still need to version your map names, 'cause server auto-downloads won't grab a map that it sees you allready have. If the map versions differ, then they differ and you can't get in.

Naming conventions aren't that hard.

Nooooooo.

WAY too much bandwidth use to support an entire network of hosts from one central database.

Originally posted by 2ltben
Nooooooo.

WAY too much bandwidth use to support an entire network of hosts from one central database.

FileXXXX sites seem to pull it off.