Renting out VPS's for Indie Game Hosting/Testing
by Jack Stone · in General Discussion · 05/18/2014 (2:21 pm) · 5 replies
I have been researching an idea that I had, which I think could turn into a valuabe service.
While testing my most recent game project, I ran into some issues. I needed to test the multiplayer component, however, it was too early in the project to hire team members or beta testers. I could just asked friends to test it, but that doesn't strike me as a professional solution for the long term.
I'm sure there must be other people in the same situation.
However, dedicated servers are very expensive, particularly ones that are powerful enough to run a game. Indies generally would not have the use for a complete server, and most game server hosting sites that I have seen host specific games only, Call of Duty, Minecraft, etc, you can't install your own games on them. Most VPS (Virtual Private Server) services are not powerful enough for games, not optimised for gaming, or may not allow game servers.
So, I got to thinking. I could rent a relatively high-spec dedicated server, (optimised for gaming) and rent out VPS's on that server. Developers would then be free to install T3D servers, or other servers or utilities, and use those to either test or debug games before purchase of a server, or as a permanent server solution for a smaller game.
I haven't seen too many other people doing this, and it would really be a cost-saving measure for a small developer, renting a VPS versus renting a server is a huge reduction in cost.
So, thoughts, anyone? Is this a terrible idea? What do most smaller game devs do for their game hosting needs? If I was to do this, is there anyone here who would potentially be interested in trying the service? Obviously latency would be a major problem, so locating the server near the majority of customers would be vital.
While testing my most recent game project, I ran into some issues. I needed to test the multiplayer component, however, it was too early in the project to hire team members or beta testers. I could just asked friends to test it, but that doesn't strike me as a professional solution for the long term.
I'm sure there must be other people in the same situation.
However, dedicated servers are very expensive, particularly ones that are powerful enough to run a game. Indies generally would not have the use for a complete server, and most game server hosting sites that I have seen host specific games only, Call of Duty, Minecraft, etc, you can't install your own games on them. Most VPS (Virtual Private Server) services are not powerful enough for games, not optimised for gaming, or may not allow game servers.
So, I got to thinking. I could rent a relatively high-spec dedicated server, (optimised for gaming) and rent out VPS's on that server. Developers would then be free to install T3D servers, or other servers or utilities, and use those to either test or debug games before purchase of a server, or as a permanent server solution for a smaller game.
I haven't seen too many other people doing this, and it would really be a cost-saving measure for a small developer, renting a VPS versus renting a server is a huge reduction in cost.
So, thoughts, anyone? Is this a terrible idea? What do most smaller game devs do for their game hosting needs? If I was to do this, is there anyone here who would potentially be interested in trying the service? Obviously latency would be a major problem, so locating the server near the majority of customers would be vital.
#2
You can host software on home pc's, which is what I'm sure most of us do. This is fine for preliminary testing, but doing exensive tests or releasing a product and supporting it using a home server or internet connection is really madess (in terms of both reliability and speed, gamers drop out ever time the host decides to stream a movie off of netflix, there's no backup generator, etc), as well as being against the terms of service of every ISP I have ever heard of.
05/18/2014 (4:31 pm)
It wouldn't take that many subscribers to fill one server, but I would not be aiming this entirely at the Torque community, more at the general independent/small scale gaming or software dev community.You can host software on home pc's, which is what I'm sure most of us do. This is fine for preliminary testing, but doing exensive tests or releasing a product and supporting it using a home server or internet connection is really madess (in terms of both reliability and speed, gamers drop out ever time the host decides to stream a movie off of netflix, there's no backup generator, etc), as well as being against the terms of service of every ISP I have ever heard of.
#3
But these games were more temporary, when I was done, I shut the server down.
You can try to find people who are interested. But people could also buy virtual servers themselves, you don't have to buy a gaming server for a specific game, you can rent one your own and install what you want on it. I am pretty sure something like your idea already exists.
05/18/2014 (6:31 pm)
I never had problems hosting my own games, I don't know how much bandwidth Torque needs to run smooth, but on other FPS games I hosted server up to 16 people on my own PC and played in the game also myself and I have a pretty average internet connection, people with a good one could host up to 64 player servers.But these games were more temporary, when I was done, I shut the server down.
You can try to find people who are interested. But people could also buy virtual servers themselves, you don't have to buy a gaming server for a specific game, you can rent one your own and install what you want on it. I am pretty sure something like your idea already exists.
#4
05/18/2014 (6:35 pm)
I think this is a great idea. You should layout plans with prices/bandwidth/ram/hd and start a list of people who are interested. When you think there are enough people to maintain the flow of cash, start-er-up! I'd be willing to join with the right price.
#5
@Duion:
I'm not quite sure what types of games you were hosting, or how fast your internet connection is, but I really think for a developer hosting a professional game server, running it from home isn't an option.
I mean, as you said, you shut the server down when you were done, for a professional game, you'd have to have it running 24/7, you'd have to keep backups, you'd need a UPS, you'd need a temperature controlled case, etc etc. Eventually, if your customers don't complain, your ISP will.
@practicing01:
Thank you! This is exactly what I intend to do. I am currently preparing lists of prices and specs, which I can post.
I think this is an excellent way of judging the level of interest in the idea before I go and spend money!
05/18/2014 (8:12 pm)
@Duion:
I'm not quite sure what types of games you were hosting, or how fast your internet connection is, but I really think for a developer hosting a professional game server, running it from home isn't an option.
I mean, as you said, you shut the server down when you were done, for a professional game, you'd have to have it running 24/7, you'd have to keep backups, you'd need a UPS, you'd need a temperature controlled case, etc etc. Eventually, if your customers don't complain, your ISP will.
@practicing01:
Thank you! This is exactly what I intend to do. I am currently preparing lists of prices and specs, which I can post.
I think this is an excellent way of judging the level of interest in the idea before I go and spend money!
Duion