Intro ~

Hello ladies and gents! Thanks for stopping in to read my post. I would like to start up a discussion and run a new idea past everyone today as well as just get some general opinions / insight on the best way to do things. First let me begin with a little background.

Background / Idea ~

I notice this game is still very active, and I myself have owned it for YEARS. I love the entire Halo Series, as I know so many other dedicated fans do too. So I wanted to take my spare computer (or possibly my gaming rig) and start a dedicated server for everyone.

But im bored with seeing modded everything. Yes it is nice sometimes, but that's all there seems to be anymore. The servers we do get to know and love seem to close down. The rare ones that do stay around don't really have much in the ways of changes, and I feel like I can help make that better.

I have run servers for over 7 years now. Some simple, some more complex, some very few know exist and that I can bet none of you have working (which is a custom Tribal Wars Server). So I want to offer my skills and my computer equipment, and make some dedicated game modes for everyone to enjoy again. A place where users can log in and know that when they leave it will still be there. A place to meet friends and hang out, but also a place that has RESPECTABLE admins making sure the server stay user friendly and abuse free.

Details ~

I have the option of two machines that can run this. The first is a Dual Core system ordered from Dell as a server. For specs look at the Dell Inspiron 660s. This computer would be 100% dedicated and would have no one or nothing using it.

The second option is a custom built quad core gaming rig with 16gb RAM. The downside is this is my computer and I have programs running on it 24/7. So while it would be better specs, it wouldn't be able to dedicated and that can be a BIG issue on certain servers. I don't know much about the requirements to run a Halo CE server, so I would need your insight there.

The general idea is to use one of these computers to release multiple servers. I would like one that is just Old School UnModded CTF or other game modes. Then a second server for the modded fun. These servers would be 24/7 on fiberoptic business internet of over 120mb/s download.

Feedback ~

Tell me what you think of the idea, also if anyone has updated guides on the best way to get a server going that would be helpful otherwise I will find something in my research. In addition please give me your thoughts on your fav. game-modes. Do you Old School fans still enjoy classic game-play from time to time? Or has modded game-play become the new normal?

Lastly tell me your thoughts on the computer options. Neither are top of the line, but they are solutions they can work lag free even if we had to choose just one game mode and dedicate that on the dual core.

I look forward to talking with the amazing people in this community and launching something awesome for everyone to enjoy. I hope that we all can continue to experience some great moments with this phenomenal old school game. Until then...

Best of Wishes,
0Z
Edited by x0Z3ro0x on Apr 28, 2017 at 01:13 PM

It's a great idea!

Using SAPP, or my as-yet-unreleased HSEŽ, the CPU load on a single dedicated server is minimal. Even a plain-stock dedicated server isn't all that much of a CPU load on today's machines.

Where are you located?

Thanks for the positive feedback. Servers are located in the mid-west of USA. It would be ideal for US / Canada based players but I welcome everyone provided they can have reasonable ping. As for me I am farther north in the US!

Also if you have some free time I would love to pick your brain and find out some of your favorite game modes as well as other users favorite game modes. Let me know!

The "active" community has no interest in servers not based in Mexico, also i don't we're talking about a game with netcode that worked on 56k modems, I don't think even running 16 servers simultaneously with 16 active players per server would come even close to utilizing business class internet.

That's just not true. A great deal of users are Spanish decent that much is true, but there are several USA based servers that reach 16/16 and stay that way. In fact I think it is safe to say a US based server with English only enforced will be a nice welcome.

Take BK for example, while they need to learn a lesson in chat spamming, they are US based as well as Mexico and several other locations.



Im not worried about the internet, im sure it is more than enough to handle the connection to users. My worry was the servers hardware being enough. Would you happen to know what each connected player uses in terms of system resources? Im sure either PC can get the job done.

Thanks for stopping in and sharing some opinions! I hope to see you online!

But those are stockmap servers probably(I rarely play. Don't know.). In their case, they should've just stayed on Halo PC
Edited by OrangeJuice on Apr 29, 2017 at 10:05 PM

Are there any updated server guides here on halomaps? Everyone I see is outdated and Sparky edited all his posts to show nothing...

Hey Sparky! How have you been? Thanks for all those awesome links! I would love to sit down and BS with you. So I will take you up on the offer to chat on discord. As for the other links thank you for providing them. I will make sure to take a look and use your advice as you are the only user on the Internet with the skill and dedication to still provided answers on Halo Servers.

Also if you don't mind, once I get my server completed I would like to share with the world in more public places how its done. All with credits to you of course. But it took your replying for me to find what I needed, and thats after Google searching.

The problem isn't finding guides, its finding guides that work...

Edit: Your video guide worked great although xhalo is no longer a working website. Was still able to find the sapp downloads I needed. Took your video step by step and no error on anything. However I still have two small problems -

1.) Even though ports 2304,2305,2303,2302, and 5632 are open NO ONE including myself can connect to the servers. Nor do they show up in the Server List. I added each .exe to the firewall both inbound and outbound. It is a mystery to me.

2.) In the console there is two small errors, im not sure if they are normal or not but here they are:

ERROR: Failed to find signature for "Event Machine Leave"!
ERROR: Failed to find signature for "Team Balance Hook"!

Ill be joining your discord and waiting by here on the forums. Any advice you may have will be greatly appreciated.

Edited by x0Z3ro0x on May 1, 2017 at 04:24 AM

Edit 2:

Servers are up and running and this idea is well under way with three 24/7 servers. One for classic game-play where users can enjoy Original games unedited unmodded and all the standard rules.

Second server is edited game modes with no mods. So specialty games like pistols only covenant, snipers, only etc.

Our final server is for you users that love modded game play. Pretty much explains its self, the server has all modded maps and game modes.

All three of these servers can be found in the internet list under the following:

[DKG] Originals | USA | 24/7
[DKG] Specialties | USA | 24/7
[DKG] Modded | USA | 24/7

Please enjoy and feel free to continue your ideas! I will keep checking back on this post and looking at what everyone would like.
Edited by x0Z3ro0x on May 7, 2017 at 03:29 AM