Master Server - Garry's Mod

[url=http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/9378/44007494.png][img]http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/3089/79244064.png[/img][/url] Alright, I have to send my kudos to the posters of the [url=http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=785480]Lounge Idea[/url] thread for giving me this idea. [b]This is essentially a lobby gamemode, but it actually has some major differences from all the others.[/b] Skip to the bottom for a TL;DR version, but I recommend reading most of this. [b]Why is this important?[/b] I personally hate waiting for the complete server list to populate in GMod. It takes forever. Then once it's populated, its totally polluted with crappy sandbox and roleplay servers. The main idea here is to link communities/servers together via a Lobby-like gamemode. This will hopefully get servers more traffic and help people expand their communities/servers. There's only so much you can gather by simply looking at a server title and gamemode. For those who apply, you can join and get a more in-depth look at the servers. So rather than make a lounge that connects to a bunch of mini gamemodes owned by one person, it’s a server that connects you to all the other communities/gamemodes made by other people; and helps you find what you want. Plus, you won’t need to wait for a server list. Just join the Master Server and look for a category you want by physically walking around the map. That way you don’t need to scroll for a half hour to read every server, just find some of the best ones. You may find some new servers you like. [b]ETA?[/b] I am not currently planning to publicly release the source code. The idea is that it could be like a single server (or maybe a set of servers) that people go to to find the servers they want. [b]Basically, the map will be a lobby with corridors organized by server types:[/b] [list] [*][b]Popular:[/b] Based on activity [*][b]Featured:[/b] Hand selected servers with unique qualities that deserve checking out [*][b]Communities:[/b] Servers like NoX, Sass, and other similar communities [*][b]Sandbox:[/b] There will likely be a lot of these [*][b]Spacebuild:[/b] Another popular gamemode [*][b]RolePlay:[/b] This will probably have a wide variety of roleplay gamemodes (probably a lot of unoriginal DarkRP edits, but hey if that's what you're into...) [*][b]Fretta:[/b] Not too many of these yet, but more and more servers are starting to host fretta now [*][b]WIP:[/b] Servers with games in development. [*][b]Survival:[/b] Awesome! [*][b]DM:[/b] Boom. [*][b]Lobby:[/b] It's the new RP! [*][b]Misc.:[/b] This could be anything that doesn't fit in the other categories [/list] I can add more at any time. [b]So what's the point?[/b] I can see a lot of possible advertizing and money-making opportunities in this as well, but that’s not the main focus right now. I want it to help people find the servers they like. [b]To apply for one of the server categories/slots, you would send me the following:[/b] [list] [*][b]Server Category:[/b] Choose the category that best suits your server from any of the categories shown above. [*][b]Server Name and IP:[/b] Duh. [*][b]A brief description of your server (optional):[/b] This includes what kind of stuff you want people to know before they join. Things like server stats, what kinda mods are installed, and the physical location your server is in. This is so people will know what kinda connection speed to expect. It also gives a homey kinda touch to it. :3: [*][b]An image or logo of your server or community (optional):[/b] This would be the logo displayed on a screen above your server. [/list] The reason this information is good to have is because next to every server portal, there will be a screen and a console which shows what server it is, and a console that lets you look at some server information before entering. This allows players to make an informed decision as to where they want to go. I may even add a ratings system so people can rate the servers they've been to. [b]Progress:[/b] [code] SQL-To-Portal transfer – 0% Server Portal data transfer – 90% Server Query Protocol – 40% Server Portals – 80% Kiosks – 50% Screens – 10% Help Desk – 0% Map Related Code – 40% Materials – 10% Models – 0% More? – 0% [/code] [b]Media:[/b] [i]Holo-Kiosk showing server portal information.[/i] [media]http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/5/mastertest0007.jpg[/media] [media]http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5183/kioskangles.jpg[/media] I could use some help from someone experienced in models/skins. I can always use help. This is a bit more complicated than previous projects I've worked on and the logic of the code gets a bit complex. And being that most of the coders I look up to were unable to figure this out... Well, you get the idea. So yeah, that’s pretty much the size of it for now. [highlight]TL;DR Version:[/highlight] [b]Master Server is not a "Lobby Gamemode" where you play games, buy stuff, and idle around. It's just a place that redirects players to servers so other servers get more traffic and players find games they like. I'm not copying other lobby gamemodes, and it's not meant to attract attention to me so you play my games instead of others, it's here so you can find other gamemodes and servers you like. This isn't meant to be competition in any way. There's a specific reason I'm not adding minigames, money, and achievements. It's because I don't want there to be anything keeping you in the server. The idea is to come in, find what you want, and then leave. Hopefully people will come back to find some other stuff they like later. Post any constructive criticism or questions about the gamemode here.[/b] [url=http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/][img]http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png[/img][/url] This work is licensed under a [url=http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/]Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 License[/url]

I like it, like a GMod airport. I think communities should have the option to design part of the map near their gate. There should also be advertisements for certian gamemodes and a map of the level that will show where those gamemodes can be played. Or not [url]http://garrysmod.com/?dont_buff_my_pylon=1719&Gmod_Lobby[/url]

Good idea, this could help peoples get visitors to there servers alot. Also let people try new gamemodes they wouldn't of before.

[QUOTE=youaremea;16601774]I like it, like a GMod airport. I think communities should have the option to design part of the map near their gate.[/QUOTE] That won't happen. If I ever replace a community I'd need to redesign the map. That's what the screens are for. They allow a bit of customization for the community.

Sounds like a good idea. If you need any help with the code, give me a shout.

Well we're already working on something like this. [url]http://www.snakesvx.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=347[/url] and [url]http://garrysmod.com/?dont_buff_my_pylon=1719&Gmod_Lobby[/url]

I noticed alot of Lobby gamemodes going up. Is this one of em? Besides it sounds cool. I was thinking of it.

[QUOTE=snake_1_1;16601876]Well we're already working on something like this. [url]http://www.snakesvx.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=347[/url] and [url]http://garrysmod.com/?dont_buff_my_pylon=1719&Gmod_Lobby[/url][/QUOTE] [QUOTE=themaw;16601911]I noticed alot of Lobby gamemodes going up. Is this one of em? Besides it sounds cool. I was thinking of it.[/QUOTE] Perhaps if either of you had actually read the thread, you'd know this is hardly a lobby gamemode, and it's not intended to be like yours. If any game has a map that resembles a lobby, people automatically think its a GMT rip-off. I specifically said the focus isn't on a lobby and it doesn't actually contain any mini-games. Anyways, I don't go to gmod.com regularly and didn't see your post. I'm still gonna forge ahead on this. :biggrin:

Definition of lobby - an entrance hall, corridor, or vestibule, as in a public building, often serving as an anteroom Sounds pretty much like a lobby. Snakes point was that your gamemode is pretty much doing the same thing his is. Removing the need for the server list so that people can join servers more effectivly.

[QUOTE=youaremea;16602015]Definition of lobby - an entrance hall, corridor, or vestibule, as in a public building, often serving as an anteroom Sounds pretty much like a lobby. Snakes point was that your gamemode is pretty much doing the same thing his is. Removing the need for the server list so that people can join servers more effectivly.[/QUOTE] I'm not going to argue whose is better or the differences. That will be up for debate when they're both done. I didn't know anything about his gamemode so as far as I'm concerned, this is original by my standards. Also, if you want to call it a lobby you can, but general facepunch population has deemed a lobby to be a GMT thing. The idea is not a lobby, it's a physical server portal. Anyways, questions/constructive criticisms are what I'd like, not claims that I'm copying anyone else.

So there is nothing to keep the player on the "master server" rather than other servers info,so the "master server" will not be always full,and i like this idea,i hope it will go far. EDIT oh,i have an idea,make a server vote system,so people returning to the master server can vote the server they like (like the one in sandbox,when you access to the player list) [quote]I may even add a ratings system so people can rate the servers they've been to.[/quote] Duh,sorry,didnt noticed that part.

[QUOTE=Jvs;16602150]So there is nothing to keep the player on the "master server" rather than other servers info,so the "master server" will not be always full,and i like this idea,i hope it will go far. [/QUOTE] Exactly! There aren't any minigames and virtual money things that keep you feeling obligated to the server. The point is to introduce you to new games made by other people. It's literally just a portal.

[QUOTE=grea$emonkey;16601951]Perhaps if either of you had actually read the thread, you'd know this is hardly a lobby gamemode, and it's not intended to be like yours. If any game has a map that resembles a lobby, people automatically think its a GMT rip-off. I specifically said the focus isn't on a lobby and it doesn't actually contain any mini-games. Anyways, I don't go to gmod.com regularly and didn't see your post. I'm still gonna forge ahead on this. :biggrin:[/QUOTE] I don't have any lobby. -_- I did read the thread and alot of people are changing their gamemode plans. I hope you aren't. Just please stick with the plan.

[QUOTE=themaw;16602440]I don't have any lobby. -_- I did read the thread and alot of people are changing their gamemode plans. I hope you aren't. Just please stick with the plan.[/QUOTE] Who's changing plans?

It's still a lobby, no matter how you dress it up, but this one actually has a use. You could ask people what servers are like and they could show you to said servers, instead of you having to refresh the server browser like a bitch.

[QUOTE=grea$emonkey;16602671]Who's changing plans?[/QUOTE] Sassilization wanted to make a gamemode based of Black and White. Now its just an RTS gamemode similair to civilisation. Tower Defence changed their plans about the way the monsters come from. Now its one way and animated monsters instead of props. Now lets get on-topic.

Great stuff.

[QUOTE=grea$emonkey;16602211]Exactly! There aren't any minigames and virtual money things that keep you feeling obligated to the server. The point is to introduce you to new games made by other people. It's literally just a portal.[/QUOTE] The only thing wrong that could happen is when you are "entering a portal" of a server nearly full that does not have the master server addon queue system,you connect to the server but you fail because someone took your player slot,but you actually deserved it from the master server.

[QUOTE=Jvs;16603026]The only thing wrong that could happen is when you are "entering a portal" of a server nearly full that does not have the master server addon queue system,you connect to the server but you fail because someone took your player slot,but you actually deserved it from the master server.[/QUOTE] I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying like being disconnected by trying to join a full server? I'm sure I'll find a way to prevent that.

[QUOTE=grea$emonkey;16603248]I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying like being disconnected by trying to join a full server? I'm sure I'll find a way to prevent that.[/QUOTE] hes saying if you joined from the normal server list but you were someone else on the queue system from the 'master server' what if that person joining from the server list took your place and someone kept doing that until it became pointless to join via the 'master server'. Unless that meant blocking all possible new traffic for that server because people didn't know of the 'master server'

[QUOTE=lord-garn;16603430]hes saying if you joined from the normal server list but you were someone else on the queue system from the 'master server' what if that person joining from the server list took your place and someone kept doing that until it became pointless to join via the 'master server'. Unless that meant blocking all possible new traffic for that server because people didn't know of the 'master server'[/QUOTE] I'm still not sure I follow. Took my place? Are you saying it's an issue of there being space in the Master Server? If this means anything, part of the idea is adding the Master server to your favorites list so you can get there easily and make your way to the other servers.

[QUOTE=grea$emonkey;16603608]I'm still not sure I follow. Took my place? Are you saying it's an issue of there being space in the Master Server? If this means anything, part of the idea is adding the Master server to your favorites list so you can get there easily and make your way to the other servers.[/QUOTE] No,but the master server does not grant you the player slot on that server because others people will connect to that server directly or via steam browser. So,you can still fail at connecting at that server unless you make an addon to grant you a reserved slot.

[QUOTE=Jvs;16603664]No,but the master server does not grant you the player slot on that server because others people will connect to that server directly or via steam browser. So,you can still fail at connecting at that server unless you make an addon to grant you a reserved slot.[/QUOTE] True, but if it does become as huge as GMT (which I doubt it will) I'll be sure to have at least 60 slots, but since people are using it as a come and go thing, there should always be slots available. Because it isn't a earning prizes kinda game (like every lobby game I've heard of so far), there's no reason to stay and idle around. It's also kinda running on that word-of-ear concept. Tell a friend, add to favorites by IP. That sorta thing. But once you find it the first time, you won't need to look for it in the browser again.

It's easy enough to do a check to see if a server is full before redirecting players - I believe it can be done with the socket module.

Good, a pro doing shit the right way.

Wow... nice. Great. Wonderful. Nice seeing Grea$eMonkey is doing this. Wow...

I'm beginning to implement an info system and the console/screen entities.

Props, grease. I was being comical at the time, but I'm sure you can turn out something mildly interesting. You might want to get that 128-slot server working. Perhaps multiple, with a socket inbetween so you can have global chat or something between them? It's a common feature for things such as lobbies, and yours shouldn't be exempt from that. :D A waiting list feature for the servers would be genius too, especially if you can get it faster than auto-retry.

It would be brilliant if you could chat with the people on a server when you entered that particular corridor or whatever (cross-server chat). What I mean is on the Master Server you could talk globally (to everyone on the MS) or locally (to everyone on the server in the room you're in along with everyone else on the MS in that room).

[QUOTE=Entoros;16611626]It would be brilliant if you could chat with the people on a server when you entered that particular corridor or whatever (cross-server chat). What I mean is on the Master Server you could talk globally (to everyone on the MS) or locally (to everyone on the server in the room you're in along with everyone else on the MS in that room).[/QUOTE] It would be impossible to get every Community/Famous server owner to upload that script to their servers. Anyways, This gamemode might be good for new players, to discover all the possibilities of garrysmod, but I think gmod veterans would barely use this deteur to their favorite servers.