Stupid questions about reserve slots

**Veovis** · 10-29-07, 02:52 AM

I'm considering getting a reserve slot but honestly haven't had too much trouble getting in (though everybody else is apparently).

1) What happens if the server is full of reservists and another one tries to get on? I'm guessing this is just statistically impossible.

2) Is there a limited # of slots available? Guessing this would have to do with the statistics mentioned above. I want to get one before they run out if so, but at the same time I am not sure if I need one yet, since I keep getting in without trouble. It's probably worth it just to be donating $5 to this wonderful establishment either way...

**Manse** · 10-29-07, 07:06 AM

1) If the server is full of nothing but reservists and/or admins, then you would probably not be able to get on.

2) There is not a cap on the reserve slots. We will take as many people as we can. If it gets to the point that we have so many reservists that they are standing in line to use their paid slot, we will most likely open a second TF2 server. That is what we did a few months ago with CS:S.

But getting that many will take some time, considering they won't all try to connect at the same time.

So, get a reserved slot.

**WileECyte** · 10-30-07, 11:19 PM

One thing I've noticed here lately is that even when the server isn't full, if you don't have a registered slot, you can't join. A lot of times, the server is sitting at 22/24 slots and the last 2 are reserved. It'd be nice if it worked a little more like 2142 where it'd let you join but boot the lowest score or whatever when a reserved slot member joined.

**QuickLightning** · 10-30-07, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by WileECyte

One thing I've noticed here lately is that even when the server isn't full, if you don't have a registered slot, you can't join. A lot of times, the server is sitting at 22/24 slots and the last 2 are reserved. It'd be nice if it worked a little more like 2142 where it'd let you join but boot the lowest score or whatever when a reserved slot member joined.

Unfortunately we have to use the tools we have to get the job done. At this time the reserve slots work in a manner that requires two slots to be open at all times.

**WileECyte** · 10-30-07, 11:27 PM

That's cool. I'm sure the longer TF2 is out better admin tools will become available.

**Manse** · 10-31-07, 07:25 AM

It will still work this way, even if better tools do come out, because of the way Source servers handle logging on.

Here's what happens now:

1) You log on.
2) The admin plugins check your Steam ID against the list of admins and reservists.
3) If you're on the list, and the server is "full" (22 players), it'll boot someone that is not on the list, usually the person who joined most recently.
4) if you're on the list, and the server isn't full, nobody cares, but you won't get kicked when it does fill.

Because Valve didn't put the option in to begin with, it's stuck this way. If the server is at 24/24, you simply can't connect at all, which means the plugin never checks the list, which means you're screwed.

So, we have it at 22. That way, reservists can join, take those slots, and then the server will boot people to get back to 22. Everybody wins, except those that don't have slots.

**Consultant** · 10-31-07, 01:17 PM

i wish the game allowed for more than 24 players. It really sucks to have to play at below full design capacity because of reserved slots.

In CS it isnt a big deal because you can crank the players up as high as you want...32, 40+ whatever.

**Veovis** · 10-31-07, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by Consultant

In CS it isnt a big deal because you can crank the players up as high as you want...32, 40+ whatever.

There has got to be a way to go higher than 24. Cain's Lair runs at 32. Granted, that becomes a little bit too much making offense very difficult. However, if I understand what you are getting at, TTP could have 26 slots so it would always say 24/26 instead of 22/24. To me the difference is not that big.

Sidenote, I paid for my reserve slot today!

**a weakling spaz** · 10-31-07, 01:40 PM

In order to increase the number of slots, the server.dll file has to be modified with a hex editor.

It could get to be a pain in the ass from an admin perspective because each time TF2 is updated the file would have to be updated.

If the server admins are willing to take that on, then I think it's a great idea and would love to see it done.