Tips on Making a Popular Server - Garry's Mod

Any tips on making a popular server? Adding stuff like unique items, mature admins, a some-what good amount of slots and etc just don't work for attracting players. Any tips?

Good admins. Original. Not fucking a shit ton of CoderHire. Play on it, with friends. You&Friends on server = Players on server = More players join = More players join = More community members = More active players = More players, again = More donations = Fuck ton of money Volia.

My community was originally made up of people who played on another server but weren't happy, so we did our own thing. We had a strong starting player base which allowed us to get started and keep afloat. I am, however, curious as to how other people have started their servers, especially when it comes to getting new players. Like, I've noticed randomers are more likely to join a server with 2-5 people, rather than just one.

[QUOTE=NiandraLades;42966347]My community was originally made up of people who played on another server but weren't happy, so we did our own thing. We had a strong starting player base which allowed us to get started and keep afloat. I am, however, curious as to how other people have started their servers, especially when it comes to getting new players. Like, I've noticed randomers are more likely to join a server with 2-5 people, rather than just one.[/QUOTE] Going off of what MrRain said, the server I run probably gets most of its playerbase from the sheer randomness and originality of some of the weapons, models and addons on the server. Most of them are custom which makes them want to stay.

[QUOTE=MrRain;42966294] Not fucking a shit ton of CoderHire. [/QUOTE] +1 Just have a nice community, with nice people, that's all you need. Also don't add big bonuses for donators, it's the equivalent of pay2win and nobody likes that.

Have a bunch of original ideas that grab people's attentions.

[QUOTE=NiandraLades;42966347]My community was originally made up of people who played on another server but weren't happy, so we did our own thing. We had a strong starting player base which allowed us to get started and keep afloat. I am, however, curious as to how other people have started their servers, especially when it comes to getting new players. Like, I've noticed randomers are more likely to join a server with 2-5 people, rather than just one.[/QUOTE] Same goes for people that create a brand new community with a 60 slot server, no-one is going to join that. Thankfully I knew people from Dark RP communities in Australia and basically I just sat on there with friends and eventually people joined, liked what they saw and stayed.

If you focus on the money/donation aspect, you're doing it wrong. Obviously have some fun little benefits for donators off to the side, but don't pressure people. When I started my server, the idea was just to play some TTT with friends I don't get to see in real life. Then I learnt Lua and from there the community has just built. I don't really know what kind of advice to give, as I've just been doing it for fun. What started out as a few friends having a laugh a few nights a week has become a server that is full almost always, with a community of people that all get along. What I can offer from my experience now - 1. Learn at least basic Lua. Super helpful. 2. Pick your admins wisely. It hurts to have to demote friends later down the track, but don't keep people in power simply because they're friends. 3. Be friendly! People like it when they can approach the owner ( or any member of the community! ) and get questions answered. 4. Never underestimate the chances that everything will stop working. People have an amazing aptitude for breaking shit, which you'll find out. Apart from that, I can't really list anything else. Just remember you should be doing it just for fun, not money or fame or whatever. You're going to learn a lot about a broad range of things, and you're going to have late nights getting things working. It's pretty rewarding in the end, especially when you start to get the opportunities to do bigger things. Good luck!

[QUOTE=rejax;42968353] 3. Be friendly! People like it when they can approach the owner and get questions answered. [/QUOTE] I know I've mentioned this before, but I think every server owner should take note of this. I'd say almost every server I've been on has been really unwelcoming to new members. Like, often I've asked a question and have just been ignored and you often get talked over by regular players who already know each other. Interact with your new players, ask them questions, make jokes, etc. It creates a really nice atmosphere.

Thank you guys. I will consider going through my staff list and may demote some of them. I will try thinking of original ideas and probably get more advanced into lua. Again thank you. Hope this helps other server owners too!