Straightforward question about server creation

[PLAYLIFE]

Hello

This is a straightforward question about server creation to the devs or anyone in the know:

Question #1: Why is making a server so cumbersome with the tools provided by the dev team?


Why I am asking this? I was trying to start an ACC server to play with friends and practice for a league together. Starting the server seems extremely frustrating. Until I found the ACC Dedicated Server GUI tool: https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/acc-dedicated-server-gui.32034/

Question #2: Why isn't the dev team of the game providing this kind of tool from the outset? Or at least after seeing it made by the modder, making one themselves?? It looks like a pretty straightforward configuration, smth a person with a couple years of programming experience could easily make. The creator of the mod used this project to learn how to code!?!? Do we need any more proof that the devs are totally ignoring this part of the sim?

Just look at the comments under the tool there:

"After 4 days of frustrating hair pulling trying to configure ACC Dedicated Server via various methods on AWS, I stumbled upon this gem and it took me literally less than 10 minutes from installing a fresh ACC Dedicated Server install and placing this mod and running it and port mapping. Thank you so very much. This is outstanding and well done."

"Thank you so much for the handy tool that takes away all the JSON editting"

"Mate this is absolutely awesome! I find it ironic how Kunos has been trying to make the cars and tracks absolutely perfect but have slacked behind on the server creation side of things - This program will make your day a breeze setting it up is done in 10 minutes. The options are very clear, and well explained. Stellar job bro! Keep up the work <3" - 8 May 2021

"Great UI.. no more editing textfiles ever again. great work!"

etc...etc...

Honestly, if I was head of the dev team, I'd be embarrassed for forcing my die hard users to edit text files, when a simple project like this could make all the difference... And the guy who made it "learned to code by doing this GUI". The games' been out for 4 ears, for Christs sake.


Why I'm writing this, I'm now wrestling with another simulator to create a server - rFactor2. There creating an online server is even more asinine than ACC. I just can't comprehend why setting up a server has to be filled with frustration and confusion. This is 2023, not 1997!

[SoulMaTriX]

Sorry you had to go through all that. I did not and I run a dedicated server weekly. All I did was edit the sever cfg files as I wanted and launched the server. As long as all the appropriate ports and anti-virus clearances were set properly (like any game), all ran well. I found the process much easier than RF2 (talk about frustrating).

[PLAYLIFE]

Your reply is kind.

However, I don't understand why I as a player have a nice menu, music pictures etc to select from. But if I am creating a server then I do not have the most basic GUI and instead am editing a text file!?

It seems as if server creation in ACC or rfactor2 is meant only for people who are willing to endure and undertake atypical cumbersome procedures.

Look at lobby creation in Dirt Rally 2.0, AMS2 or Project Cars 2 - a few selections in the game GUI and you are done.

[SoulMaTriX]

Originally posted by PLAYLIFE:

Your reply is kind.

However, I don't understand why I as a player have a nice menu, music pictures etc to select from. But if I am creating a server then I do not have the most basic GUI and instead am editing a text file!?

It seems as if server creation in ACC or rfactor2 is meant only for people who are willing to endure and undertake atypical cumbersome procedures.

Look at lobby creation in Dirt Rally 2.0, AMS2 or Project Cars 2 - a few selections in the game GUI and you are done.

Excellent point. You would think Kunos would do this, but they don't. I guess they assume that most people don't want to run private servers for themselves and friends. Kind of a poor assumption on their part. I bet AC2 will have the same antiquated system.

[thief_035]

Originally posted by SoulMaTriX:

Look at lobby creation in Dirt Rally 2.0, AMS2 or Project Cars 2 - a few selections in the game GUI and you are done.

Excellent point. You would think Kunos would do this, but they don't. I guess they assume that most people don't want to run private servers for themselves and friends. Kind of a poor assumption on their part. I bet AC2 will have the same antiquated system.

AMS2 and PC2 using p2p multiplayer system (means the player creating the lobby is the host). you can set up a dedicated server (the system ACC and rF2 uses) but then you have to use server configuration files just like ACC does.

kunos knows that MOST people actually want to run private DEDICATED servers. in fact, ALL servers you see in ACC server browser are private (for themselves, their friends, their leagues etc).
not a poor assumption, judging by the popularity dedicated servers multiplayer in ACC vs the popularity of madness engine p2p multiplayer (even if the latter is easier to set up)

i dont think AC2 (or ACC) will ever have p2p multiplayer.

[FlyingFish]

I strongly recommend you look for a server to rent, they come in all flavours, fully configurable with the game you want preinstalled. It is actually not that expensive, especially if you are a couple of people and are willing to share the cost. I have rented one for ACC (only a couple of slots) and one for Minecraft for my son and his friends.

Initially I also started with a dedicated server on my pc and yes it worked, but it is cumbersome and in addition you have to punch a hole into your firewall to access the ACC servers, so there is also a security risk on top of it.

[PLAYLIFE]

To be honest, I've already made the ACC server on my computer work. There's no more reason for me to rent a server for that.

However, I might be interested in one for rFactor 2, but am totally at a loss as to how such a server would handle mods. Probably wouldn't, right?

[Andrezhera]

Because when you're hosting a dedicated server, usually it's on the cloud or on a remote computer, so GUI is not an option.

[Andrezhera]

But I do agree it would be nice for them to ship the game client WITH the server-side of things, so we could host local servers easily within the game client (Like the console versions do things, I suppose)

[FlyingFish]

Originally posted by PLAYLIFE:

To be honest, I've already made the ACC server on my computer work. There's no more reason for me to rent a server for that.

However, I might be interested in one for rFactor 2, but am totally at a loss as to how such a server would handle mods. Probably wouldn't, right?

I know from the Minecraft server that you can choose from different modpacks. But there is no rfactor server available, probably a too rare choice.

[RayPest]

Mmm I'm struggling with this now. I can amend the files etc etc.

I've got a public IP
No double NAT
I've set my PC IP as static

Yet when I open ports it does not work.

Why is it so difficult. And currently EVO is pants but I hope and pray to God that this game you just join with friends lol privately. I don't want to do all this to run a private lobby so I don't get run off by randoms who don't like being overtaken.

If anyone can help me with port forwarding id be very greatful