[Braggi]

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie here, doing some research for an online MMO that has just gone open source. The game is Uru also Known as Myst Online: Uru Live (or MOUL for short).

The publisher of the game, Cyan, has recently announced that MOUL is open to development by everyone. (Understand that I am not trying to recruit with this thread.) What I am looking for, is to find out if there are any dedicated servers for Freespace2. If there are, how are they paid for within/by the community? Uru requires dedicated servers to run and it is up to the game fans to provide them. We intend to, however we are also trying to figure out how to pay for it - namely what methods would work best (Paypal, an individual to co-ordinate and manage the money, other?)

Since FS2 has had it's source code out there and successfully developed by its fans (just as we are going to be doing) would anyone have any ideas on this subject? Also, if you don't use dedicated servers, please feel free to point me in the direction of any games (no matter what genre) that might. The more we learn about how to cover and manage server costs, the more effective we'll be at managing and playing our game. Your gaming community is deeply dedicated, has stood the test of time and is well organized - that is admirable.

We'd welcome any and all input and suggestions. Thanks for reading!

[JGZinv]

I'd suggest looking into FPS games that are pay to play, and seeing how their business model has worked.
The one's with the longest history of being in operation are the ones you want to target for info.

In reality, a FPS is a space game... just you lack some extra controls and the point of view is sometimes different.

There's also a company that does games servers exclusively, with a free chat client on the side.
I don't recall the server company, but you can get to them via http://getgsc.com/partners/

[Braggi]

Thank you JGZinv. 

You first suggestion is a bit moot for us - Uru was launched twice (once in 2003 and once in 2006-2007) under the standard FPS business model - Uru didn't cut it under that model because the game is more contemplative (puzzle oriented) then action-driven. With it being open sourced, we are really on new ground and will have to invent or explore into existence new methods to get and keep a distributed server setup going.

However, your second suggestion is very useful. 

 I will be following that link and I am in your debt for your assistance. If anyone else has any ideas, including other MMO's (RPG or otherwise) they know of that have since come under fan support, please feel free to direct me to them.

Much obliged and Happy Holidays to all!

[JGZinv]

No problem... our FringeSpace mod will likely be looking into dedicated servers in the distant future.
So seeing someone else come up with a viable working plan would be beneficial to us as well
in the long run.

Good luck with your efforts.
Merry Christmas.

[Inquisitor]

That's pretty cool...

[Mongoose]

Hey, someone from Uru poked their head in here. I'm the person registered as Top Gun on the MOUL forums who made a thread a few weeks back referencing the FS2 Source Code Project.  Hopefully, some more of the actual coder-types around here will poke their heads in and take a look at what the Uru community is facing at the moment.

[Davros]

Hopefully, some more of the actual coder-types around here will poke their heads in and take a look at what the Uru community is facing at the moment.

begone with your coder stealing ways....

[Mongoose]

Perish the thought. The Myst community has plenty of talent, but I think that many of them would appreciate someone who's already worked on something similar taking a brief look at things.

[Braggi]

Hi TG/Mongoose!

Thanks for the show of support. I'd also like to thank again all the folks who replied, especially JGZinv.

- B