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A game server is a server used by game clients. Any video game played over
the internet generally requires a connection to a game server.
How it works
Data is sent from the game client to the game server, from there the game server
processes the data and sends it back out to the client or clients. Game servers
often require large amounts of bandwidth due to the amount of data that has to
be sent between the server and all the clients who are connected to it.
Types of game servers
Game servers can be classified as listen servers and dedicated servers. Listen
servers are run on the same machine as the game client. When the client
disconnects, the server is shut down, as the server and host client are run
together. Listen servers usually cannot support many players, due to bandwidth
and CPU requirements. The software running the listen server typically limits
the number of players for this very reason.
Dedicated servers are set up on a separate machine, often hosted in a data
center; thus they have high bandwidth and do not have to share CPU with the
client's game. In general, dedicated servers are more preferable for large game
servers and/or 24/7 up time.
Dedicated servers are used by game server providers to host individual game
servers or Massively multiplayer online games. In general Massively multiplayer
online games are all run on dedicated servers usually hosted by the software
company that developed and owns the game title, as this allows them to control
and update content. In many cases they are run on clustered servers to allow for
huge environments and large player counts.
Listen servers are mostly used by individual players in a LAN party setting.
Game server hosting
Many companies lease dedicated game servers out for a monthly fee. These
companies are often referred to as Game Server Providers (GSPs). Often each
member of a gaming clan will donate to help defray the monthly costs which can
reach hundreds of dollars.
Game server providers often offer many game titles, primarily in the first
person shooter genre. There are two main types of game server provider, those
based on Windows operating systems, and those based on Linux or FreeBSD. Game
server providers often offer web based tools to help control and configure the
individual game servers and most allow those that rent/lease to modify the games
being leased.
Player Behavior
There are usually two sets of rules on any game server.
Firstly; those set out by the game developers. Secondly; those set out by the
person who owns, leases or rents the game server.
In most cases these days the first set of rules are enforced by an anti-cheat
program such as VAC or PunkBuster. These programs catch those using cheats such
as aimbots, wallhacks, chams, modified skins, and many others. Also in the case
of Electronic Arts (EA) they have now enforced the locking of some parts of the
server configuration if the server is to be used in their ranking system. EA
then uses the ranking system to spot stat padders (people who try to get more
points by cheating or using underhanded methods to get more points). Anti-cheat
software is also re-enforced by ban lists such as PunksBusted, PBBans and
SteamBans. These lists are streamed between any game server that has joined and
thus bans anyone on the lists from all member servers with in seconds of
detecting a cheat. The lists also allow server administrator to submit cheat
demos to help catch those that manage to beat the anti-cheat software and thus
help develop the anti-cheat software. Anti-cheat software such as PunkBuster and
Valve Anti-Cheat kick players for small infringements such as incorrect CVARs,
and globally ban players for life for using cheating programs. Games using Valve
Anti-Cheat will permanently ban the player from playing on VAC-secured servers.
The second set of rules are enforced and made by the person who is paying for
the server and can be enforced by themselves or by anyone they wish to give
server administrator rights to. The server administrator can kick and ban
players for life from their server, if they wish. There are many tools available
for administrators to use to help them do this and most game server providers
will provide or help set up anti-cheat tools and lists at no extra charge.
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