In the quest for a smooth playing server

SPRAYnPRAY · 09-03-2002, 11:39 PM

This is what I do for the in-game browser. I have no choice until ASE gets support.

First of all, when you update the server list, stay away from the red servers. I know most of you know they are the password servers, but it's frustrating for the initiate, so I'm mentioning it.

I used to not wait for the list to finish, cause by the time it did all the info would be old. I now wait for the list to finish, and I will explain why(and it's not because the list will be updating while you're playing, giving you crappy pings)

Then, when you get your list, click on the ping button so you order the list based on ping(once again, for the initiate).

Now, look for some of those white colored servers(non-passworded ones) and click once on the best(ping) one. You will see that it will eventually change color, and also update the info for that server. You may find that a server that read 30/32 may now read 32/32, and the ping will definitely change too. Make sure you do the click-once thing before you join so you can see if it really is full of not.

But here's the kicker. When you do the click-once thing, keep an eye on how long it takes to update the info on that server. I have found that if a server has a good ping(listed), but takes a long time to update the info when you click on it, you will most likely get a crappy game.

My criteria for a game I will enter is this:

1) not full(duh)
2) low ping
3) fast update on the server list

When I get all of those, I double-click on that puppy real fast, and away I go.

I know it's not very scientific, and I really don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but this seems to work for me. I have DSL, and your mileage may vary. If you disagree, or you already figured this out, sorry to take up your time.

Great game, BTW.

Cookie · 09-04-2002, 12:36 AM

Put numbers in the boxes above "number of players" and "ping" to narrow down the list of servers you get. When you put a number in the players box it will give all servers with greater than that number of players. For example, I put in "23" and "<75" - this gives me servers with 24 slots and a ping less than 75.

Swedish Chef · 09-04-2002, 06:33 PM

Man... Cookie...
How many servers do you find with those params? BTW, I tried the <150 ping thing and I still get the whole damned list of servers!

Also too bad you can't filter out the "password-protected" servers which all sit at 0 players/32 ... pain the ass

Cookie · 09-04-2002, 06:51 PM

on the last field you specify. The game list should clear, and then hit refresh to repopulate it. With the settings I mentioned, I get anywhere from 20 to 50 servers showing up (fairly good DSL connection - "Awesome" rated by DSLReports.com). You usually have to wait a couple of refreshes before anything shows up at all.

Oh, and I just found this on the EA forum - to show FPS bring down the console ("~" key) and type in "console.showfps 1". Oh, the joys of 4.7fps gaming (at worst, bumps up to around 30+ if there's not much going on around me).

09-03-2002, 11:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
SPRAYnPRAY Staff Sergeant Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 257	In the quest for a smooth playing server This is what I do for the in-game browser. I have no choice until ASE gets support. First of all, when you update the server list, stay away from the red servers. I know most of you know they are the password servers, but it's frustrating for the initiate, so I'm mentioning it. I used to not wait for the list to finish, cause by the time it did all the info would be old. I now wait for the list to finish, and I will explain why(and it's not because the list will be updating while you're playing, giving you crappy pings) Then, when you get your list, click on the ping button so you order the list based on ping(once again, for the initiate). Now, look for some of those white colored servers(non-passworded ones) and click once on the best(ping) one. You will see that it will eventually change color, and also update the info for that server. You may find that a server that read 30/32 may now read 32/32, and the ping will definitely change too. Make sure you do the click-once thing before you join so you can see if it really is full of not. But here's the kicker. When you do the click-once thing, keep an eye on how long it takes to update the info on that server. I have found that if a server has a good ping(listed), but takes a long time to update the info when you click on it, you will most likely get a crappy game. My criteria for a game I will enter is this: 1) not full(duh) 2) low ping 3) fast update on the server list When I get all of those, I double-click on that puppy real fast, and away I go. I know it's not very scientific, and I really don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but this seems to work for me. I have DSL, and your mileage may vary. If you disagree, or you already figured this out, sorry to take up your time. Great game, BTW. __________________ Signature: This is a block of text that can be added to posts you make. There is a 300 character limit

09-04-2002, 12:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cookie Private Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Here Posts: 56	Specify the servers you want Put numbers in the boxes above "number of players" and "ping" to narrow down the list of servers you get. When you put a number in the players box it will give all servers with greater than that number of players. For example, I put in "23" and "<75" - this gives me servers with 24 slots and a ping less than 75.

09-04-2002, 06:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cookie Private Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Here Posts: 56	Be sure to press "enter"... on the last field you specify. The game list should clear, and then hit refresh to repopulate it. With the settings I mentioned, I get anywhere from 20 to 50 servers showing up (fairly good DSL connection - "Awesome" rated by DSLReports.com). You usually have to wait a couple of refreshes before anything shows up at all. Oh, and I just found this on the EA forum - to show FPS bring down the console ("~" key) and type in "console.showfps 1". Oh, the joys of 4.7fps gaming (at worst, bumps up to around 30+ if there's not much going on around me).

09-04-2002, 06:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Swedish Chef First Lieutenant Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: all over the place Posts: 1,637	Man... Cookie... How many servers do you find with those params? BTW, I tried the <150 ping thing and I still get the whole damned list of servers! Also too bad you can't filter out the "password-protected" servers which all sit at 0 players/32 ... pain the ass