If you have a server that you like and is empty, you can do this: - Create a lobby. - Open your console. - sv_cheats 1 - ms_force_dedicated_server w.x.y.z:12345
I don't use the search key has it never worked for me, this work all the time. I agree with what you said but the problem isn't about administrators installing plugins or modding their servers, it's that there is no easy way to search for a vanilla server from the lobby. I run 4 L4D process and they are all private using sv_steamgroup_exclusive. When I create a lobby, I look at which server is empty and I use what I wrote above to connect there. It's the only way I get a good experience. It also allows me to manage the quality of the game such as booting afk or players who like to rambo and mess their own team. Though lately, the team switching bug is a game stopper for me and I'm going to wait for a fix before I resume playing versus. I think the problem you have with versus games breaking on some server is that they are probably trying to force versus mode on the server. When I tried to do that before, it would break between map change. The only way for me to start a versus game so that everything work is through the lobby. I still think the best addon that Valve could add right now, would be to bring back the server browser in the main menu and when you click on an empty server, it starts you in a lobby with a reservation to that server or a group of server matching the steam group ID. -- Ravnox On Sat, 06 Dec 2008 19:24:04 +0200 ics <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This post is mostly about: > > - Finding a dedicated server when starting the game from a lobby is > now faster and more reliable > > but i have something to say for those too who run servers, especially > modded ones so i will post this here instead of useless steampowered > ranting forums. > > After the update, i and others have constantly having issues with > connecting to a proper servers. Either the new improved search system > at lobby, which automatically selects the server where the players > are thrown, is faulty or there isnt free servers at this area. Me and > others keep getting into servers far away from us. To American, > Australian and other countries. What is the reason why there could > not be favorite servers that can be selected from lobby? Sort of like > pre-reservation or something. Sure there is that "play on steamgroup > server" but thats not enough. With that way i can only play with > friends - if none are around, i get to go to random roulette and face > the following issues: > > Some servers also seem to swap from normal to versus mode on the fly > after first completed map in the campaign. Happened twice now in 2 > different servers after the latest 2 updates. Not sure if this is > caused somehow by those server settings or in-game bug. > > Another issue aimed to all of you who run modded servers - it is nice > that you set up some plugin that filters players out according to > their country. Now if i end up in US server and there is a filter on > that does not allow me to get it (your country blablablaa is not > allowed on this server), its somehow game breaking bug. Frustration > to the max and i sure aint the only one who faces these errors. > Another thing is ping kicker that some servers seem to have gotten on > using some plugin. Very nice invention. It is likely that i would not > play on these servers anyway but it is extreamly frustrating when you > have nice group along from previous game and then new server is > selected for another campaign -> booted and then someone else manages > to join in to your place. > > One more issue that comes to my mind from versus mode problems are > the servers that are using director_no_human_zombies 1 which means > that half of the players will get message "human player limit > exceeded 8/4". Sure there is that return to lobby vote option but > thats not enough. Some people are already left the server due to this > issue and it breaks the game. All servers using this cvar should be > excluded from versus search. My suggesting would be sv_allow_versus > cvar that would be checked upon reservation. > > Best (?) thing for everyone would be to exclude these "custom" plugin > servers filtered out somehow from lobby server search or improve the > system so we should not end up on servers far away at all where these > problems come up. > > -ics _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds_linux
