Redirect map downloads...

[{[MS]}Pyro]

Redirect map downloads to some whatever web host...

I remember this system from ut2004 (unreal tournament).
I had a "climbing" (trials) server on my ex 1mbit there and it ran silksmooth for other players. And thats thanks to little row in game's .ini file, which had an option to turn redirection off/on, change port and change address.

ut2004 community even created special servers where almost ALL the maps for the game were uploaded (it was very easy to upload it for mapmakers - like imageshack...)

It would pwn for home servers (save monahhh) and even (i think) 0.5mbit/s would be sufficient for soldat server.

[GluLm]

Considering the usual size of maps in Soldat, I think your idea is useless...
However it is indeed very useful in other games which custom maps are often very big files.

[{[MS]}Pyro]

Well there are custom maps that are big.
And a regular server (home or some cheaper host) with 12 players in would die when everybody are downloading even a 200kB (map, scen, text) package when mapchange occurs... 200kB
Because 95% ppl will never download mappacks...

Ok maybe you want an example:
Climbing-soldiers.net hosts 3 climb servers. Servers has right now over ~600 maps. Most of the time about 50-90% players leave on mapchange because they dont have next map (and download).
Paying for game server costs more than regular web hosting (for me at least it would) and getting a free web host with decent speeds is not an issue...

This redirection thingy would seriously help out servers.

There are lots and lots of other servers with massive amounts of new maps...

[ghg]

I'd though about this aswell. But I expect it'd be a fair bit of work for something not everyone would use.

[Boglizk]

I bet climbing servers would benefit for this a lot, at least we would. Lag spikes whenever someone joins is a real pain in the ass.

And, a fair bit of work? How is this much different than the system Soldat is currently using? Its just another server. Either way, i think its worth it.

[DorkeyDear]

I don't think this is possible to redirect the download part to a different host, but it would be a wicked awesome feature for servers to have.. I hope you implement it in the next version EnEsCe.

[Bloo]

I have to agree with Boglizk - from a scripting point-of-view not much would have to be changed and added for this to work...

Just switch some bits around in the server/soldat codework and add:

remote-file-host: ftp://username:pass@whatever.com/soldat/server1/

To one of the .ini files.

[Biscuiteer]

I agree with this, so the actual servers won't have to take an additional load and keep the lag low.

[BombSki]

Yea, very good idea.