Why Gamers Will Love Having a Dedicated Server
For gamers, nothing is as important as the speed of connectivity and performance. If you play games that involve multiple payers from across the globe, the need for this connectivity speed and performance is even more so.
Lags, crashes, slow loading times, and file corruption are some of the effects of playing on a public server. Gamers can invest in a dedicated server to avoid these inconveniences.
But what is a dedicated game server, and why should you invest in one? This article will outline why you, as a gamer, will love using a dedicated server.
What Is a Dedicated Server?
A dedicated gaming server connects the host to clients. In the multiplayer gaming environment, a host is a server that keeps the players, who are the clients, in sync. Usually, the host is the player who initiates the game, and so the host’s computer or console is responsible for keeping the game flowing fluidly. The host computer performs many functions for tracking players and their activities.
The host machine must have a good memory, bandwidth, and processing power to accommodate all the clients as the number of players grows. If the host machine is slow, has a poor wifi connection, or has a low bandwidth, the game and players will suffer from it in the form of lags, interruptions, and crashes. So it is not very reliable.
The alternative to this is to invest in a dedicated gaming server. This server is reserved for you by a company, and only you can use it. It is a remote server that does not require you to share its connectivity with other applications, players, or websites.
The server controls gaming operations, so you do not overburden an unreliable host computer or console. Every player can connect to a reliable third-party dedicated server and eliminate lags, bugs, and crashes.
Once you set up the private dedicated gaming server, you must pay monthly or annual subscriptions. The price depends on the server’s capacity and how many players you plan to connect to it.
The server will let you configure your operating system and settings. It will also allow you to regulate what players and what amount of players you allow into the game. Basically, your server, your rules.
What to Look Out for When Getting a Dedicated Server
Getting a dedicated server is like getting a new computer. There are different brands, classes, and specifics. And just like choosing a computer depends on what tasks you want to perform with the computer, choosing a dedicated server is no different.
Your performance requirements are the first thing to look out for when selecting a dedicated server. Each gamer has unique gaming requirements. Factors such as the games you plan on playing, how many players you plan on hosting, and how long you plan to play are essential to the selection process.
Your answers to those questions will determine how much processing power, Random Access Memory (RAM), and disk space you need to run games smoothly.
Potential downtime is the second factor to look out for before choosing a dedicated gaming server. Servers require frequent maintenance, and although most server providers will guarantee 99 percent uptime, it will not hurt to conduct investigation and research on your own. The last thing you want is to have everyone ready to begin a game and the server experiencing unscheduled downtime.
The third critical factor is bandwidth usage. The general rule of thumb is that the higher the bandwidth, the fewer lags and interruptions you will experience. Bandwidth depends on data traffic. If you expect lots of users and data traffic, going for a server with high bandwidth is your best option.
Fourthly, consider the network quality of the server’s hosting. Network quality is usually dependent on the location of the server. So, if you are, for instance, in the Asia-Pacific region, it will be unwise to use a host server located in Europe.
Another contributing factor is your budget. If we go back to the server and computer purchase comparisons, you will notice that computers come at different prices depending on brand and quality.
Servers are no different. Your budget should cover the cost of hosting a dedicated server, set-up fees, and other contingencies like licensing. It will also be a good idea to factor in the price of an upgrade in case you need to upgrade your server in the future.
Additionally, it would be best if you considered the stability of the server and the provider. The more you play a game, the more likely your gaming community will grow.
Your server must be able to accommodate the growth in the number of players and games. You do not want to be in the frustrating situation of changing server providers to accommodate more players.
Furthermore, you should factor in technical support. The server provider company has to have good technical support to help you out in moments of difficulty. You need to be able to relay questions, concerns, and information about your server’s performance quickly, so reachability is essential. You can also discover this by conducting some research.
Having a Dedicated Server: The Advantages of a Dedicated Server to a Gamer
From what we’ve said so far, it is easy to see the benefits of investing in a dedicated gaming server. The first benefit is control. A dedicated server lets you control your gaming experience as you can customize maps and mods. You also get reliable connection and stability within the multiplayer environment.
Another benefit is security. Using your devices, that is, console and computer to host, presents a huge security risk to your personal information and data. Dedicated servers have a security boost because provider companies heavily invest in cybersecurity and safeguards against Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. You also have complete and total control over who joins your server, so you can limit players, close entry, and ban specific users.
Lastly, you can control what games you play and which you do not. The different selections of RAM and CPU mean you can play memory and processor-intensive games without getting frustrated at performance.
Complete control over your server also gives you control over your gaming environment and community. Depending on your preference, you can adopt a mature or family-friendly environment.