dodbits

The first thing I thought was important was the location of the server... and the company I would use.

Why? Well Australia is a big place, not like Europe, just one of our 7 states would hold many countries.

So, if you are reading this and from USA or Europe this is important to Aussies only mostly, we have some 21 Million people in a huge area. Game servers and their location are very important to speed.... ping.

If you are from Perth in Western Australia and all your Clan/Visitors are in Perth. on the western side.. why would you pick Sydney on the eastern side for the server location? Well you would not... pings will be too bad.

Then again it also depends on each persons ISP and connection type. There are so many factors... want to make it easy?

Before you pick a server... just get your friends to roam around and see what servers work best for them... find the one with the best connection, each user can look at ping in Scoreboard and report the best three.

Ok you now have a list of game servers, narrow it down to the top one. But these are game servers, where are they rented from? One way is just to ask that clan or group if it is a rented server and who it is with. A lot of rented give you a generic server config, in this they set their email contact... sv_contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

When on a server just type sv_contact in the console... get the email address and send it saying you want to rent a server. Even if the clan or owner adjusts this at least you may get an answer. At least this way you have done your best to get the best connection possible... it is a important choice!

Cost and payment. Well without payment each month you are not going to have a server. Game servers use lots of data and they are expensive in Australia, we have a retarded network mostly run by big Telcos who artificially keep the price of data too high. One of the biggest is Telstra, I live in hope the new government may investigate the data charge scams inside our boarders one day... a lot of overcharging is happening and it is close to criminal.

Until that day... we have a cost of around AU$30 - 70 for a 12 slot server and AU$70 -190 for 24 slots. It varies a lot and so does the quality and service provided. Basically,...

• You have a flat rate of price per person or "slots" to compare each one.
• You can ask other groups who they use, try here too... Whirlpool Web Hosting forum
• Work out if you want 12, 16, 20, 24,28 32 slots... more slots...more costs.
• Ftp access to the back end. Some don't allow this like Telstra's rented servers... (retarded I know)
• Web based back-end account controls and how payments are made.

All those things are important if you want a good server... if you fail even your own members will not play there.
Take it from me ... I know, it happened to Bogan.

I picked a Sydney server in the end... it was central to all the users and had the best pings. But there is much more to consider outside of connection!

Who are the best? Well it is up to what you need. As you know I don't advertise much here (one google ad module) and am not sponsored by anyone. I will however break my golden rule and recommend a couple. This is because it is important.

I have tried a few, some now dead, some could not handle our needs but, If you want good quality ... you pay for it. Here are my personal favorites...

Top Two...

Dominance Gaming Top provider. The connection is good. Service above average.

Pricing is cheaper than other top providers and the servers top shelf.

The admin has a easy setup for adding server mods. It is via a web page and easy to install for those of us that are new to mods. This is a good feature for admins starting out.

If you are a dods clan in Australia, consider this company first and contact them to talk over your needs, they are flexible and more importantly... love dod and play it!

• Robust servers, more upgrades than others for a lower per slot price.
• FTP access
• Web based control panel where you can add custom files if you don't know FTP.
• Sourcemod installs
• PayPay or bank transfer.
• Flexible, easy going customer to provider service.
• Has the biggest dods clan groups in Australia on their servers

NetWars There are a couple of server providers that have the following qualities, NetWars is up near the top of this list, the price is high but the servers are strong...

• Top speed, reliable... I can't break these servers... believe me I have tried. Very strong and no downtime/errors

• Structured levels of access One for the account holder and lower levels of server admins.

• Good Web back-end control. Restart, switchable mods (CSS TF2 dods on the same server) all done in seconds.

• FTP access to the game server files where you can install mods and maps, sounds...what ever you need.

• PayPay or bank transfer.

• Ability to upgrade even in the middle of a month, want something...just ask, I have found them very flexible.

• Help. provided through MSN or email.... never had to use it much. What does that tell you?

• Clan server pricing specials ... $30 for 12 slot clan server, $5 extra for branding removal. (At the time of writing)

Those two... for me and my clan, are the best. I can only tell you about my experiences. You need to pick the best one for your needs. Just read each ones faqs and don't forget to email and talk to them first...don't just read the webbie... talking is where it's at.

Do you just want a clan server without custom maps or mods? Well by all means pick one of the cheap ones. Like being a Telstra customer, are you aware that you get a 20% discount for rental servers? Read the FAQs

You will also note that while this is a fair... notice I don't say good, price, you also have to remember you get no ability to add mods, maps and have limited control over the server. However, if you are a bigpond customer it may be worth it because the payment is easy and connection possibly quite good.... if you only want a easy to setup standard maps clan server deducted from your monthly payment... then go nuts.

If you want to shop around a bit you will find quite a few more, there are only a few because this industry is very small within Australia. Ok, I gave Telstra a plug... who else?

Others...

Gameserver Hosting . moderate pricing . Good back-end, FTP clan packages. They were going through some changes when we were with them and the ping was a bit slow from Brisbane but we enjoyed our time there mostly. they now have servers in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

EGN Australia. Have not used them but like Telstra they offer 10% discounts for EGN/EFTel Broadband subscribers Look here at this page but they may not do a dods server!

If you have a Hosting company and want in on this list ... contact webmaster.