How to Create & Host a TT server - For Dummies!

[HakTor]

I have been playing TT for a little over 4 years, totally hooked on to it. Most of the time I lag as I am dialing in from all the way at the end of the earth! (Australia).

Now that I have a faster connection and a better system (Intel Mac) I want to contribute to this community. I'd like to host a TT server.

I am creating this post (please forgive me if there is one already) in the support section so that other people (including me) can learn from the vast knowledge and resources of great TT legends on how to properly host a TT server.

As we all know but don't say a lot, the GG guys are killing this game slowly.

So this post will list all the steps necessary to Create, Host and Manage a terminal based TT server and/or a GUI based TT server. This post will also host links to TT resources pointing to hosting mods and modding and scripts.

I hopw that this can be made a sticky post...

Please help me help others learn this.

[Cassie]

WINDOWS TUTORIAL

Cassie’s Guide On How To Create A Dedicated Server

Part #1: Getting into the Dedicated Folder
Open your ThinkTanks root file, it should look like this:



Open up the folder called 'dedicated'. If you don't have this folder (then you have bought TT from Shockwave or Realarcade), you can download it here. It should look like this:



As you most likely noticed, there's a lot of files in it. One for each gametype on each stock map.

Part #2: Opening and correctly using dedicated server

Click on one of the .bat, you'll see 2 windows opening.

A window with this:

G:\Think Tanks\ThinkTanks\dedicated>cd ..

G:\Think Tanks\ThinkTanks>ThinkTanks -dedicated -mission game/data/missions/TT3_3.mis -game TB

And a window with this:

--------- Initializing MOD: Common ---------
Loading compiled script common/client/canvas.cs.
Loading compiled script common/client/audio.cs.
%
--------- Initializing MOD: ThinkTanks ---------
Loading compiled script game/client/init.cs.
Loading compiled script game/server/init.cs.
Loading compiled script game/rankServer.cs.
%
--------- Initializing ThinkTanks: Server ---------
Loading compiled script common/server/audio.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/server.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/message.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/commands.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/missionInfo.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/missionLoad.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/missionDownload.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/clientConnection.cs.
Loading compiled script common/server/kickban.cs.
Loading compiled script game/server/scripts/commands.cs.
Loading compiled script game/server/scripts/centerPrint.cs.
Loading compiled script game/server/scripts/game.cs.
% %
--------- Starting Dedicated Server ---------
Starting multiplayer mode
Binding server port to default IP
UDP initialized on port 28000
Loading compiled script game/server/scripts/audioProfiles.cs.
Loading compiled script game/server/scripts/camera.cs.
Loading compiled script game/server/scripts/markers.cs.
Loading compiled script game/server/scripts/special.cs.
Loading compiled script game/server/scripts/tank.cs.
Loading compiled script game/server/scripts/tankFx.cs.
Loading compiled script game/server/scripts/tankDb.cs.
Loading compiled script game/server/scripts/tankAI.cs.
*** LOADING MISSION: game/data/missions/TT3_3.mis
*** Stage 1 load
*** Stage 2 load
Executing game/data/missions/TT3_3.mis.
*** Mission loaded
Engine initialized...

You can close the first one, but the second needs to stay open.

Well, you are now hosting your first dedicated server, it may not work due to your portforwarding settings, if it doesnt: go here.

Bonus Part #1: Some tips

Type-into-console tips:
quit(); - this closes your dedicated server.
$pref::server::name = "Name"; - this renames your dedicated server (all preferences work)
Client-CADD.delete("Message"); - this will kick the client out of your server with as kick message the message.

Other tips
Download an Admin Script - it gives you the ability to maintain your server easely
Download MissionLoader - it gives you the ability to switch the map each time the game ends
Go tot the Modding Resource - it gives you a lot more of these tips!

NOTE: Paths and images may vary.
NOTE: I am not responsible for whatever-what may happen to you or your computer when you try this.

[HakTor]

How about a Mac version of that information.

Thanks

[Cassie]

Sure, i'll create one very soon.

[deano]

im using ubuntu 7.04 ...any help here ?

[DJ Wings]

***LINUX AND BSD***
1. Fire up the Terminal. In GNOME, it should be under Programs > Accessories > Terminal (on Ubuntu, for instance). If not, try Programs > System Tools > Terminal (for some distros like Mandriva GNOME Edition).
2. Type

Code: Select all

cd 

followed by the folder TT is in, for instance, ~/thinktanks.
3. Use the following code:
[code]
./ThinkTanks.bin -dedicated -mission [INSERT MAP OR ROTATION HERE] -game [B|S|TB|TS]
[code]
4. That starts a server.
5. If you'd like to try a graphical version of this, make a file called "server.sh" with this in it:
[code]
mode=`zenity --title="Select game type" --text="Game type?" --entry`
map=`zenity --title="Select map set" --text="Map set?" --entry`
./ThinkTanks.bin -dedicated -game $mode -mission $map
[/code]
Make it executable, and always choose "Run in terminal" when asked.

[deano]

for the terminal method, suppose i want a dedicated TB game thats lush and cycles through the maps...then what would the EXACT code be..i tryed 2nd method and the file i made wont stay executable...like all files i try to do that with.im a lil dense here sorry...thanx dean

[Sparrow©]

Try this:

Starts like this:
./ThinkTanks.app/Contents/MacOS/ThinkTanks\ OSX -dedicated -mission <missionName> -Game <B>

Then you want it too look like this:
./ThinkTanks.app/Contents/MacOS/ThinkTanks\ OSX -dedicated -mission GREEN -Game TB

Hope that helps.

You can also try the powerpoint I made, it goes over all that.

Here's the link for the download. http://h1.ripway.com/Bird338/DedicatedServers.ppt



[edit] hmm ^ that look bold to you? it isn't suppose to

[DJ Wings]

for the terminal method, suppose i want a dedicated TB game thats lush and cycles through the maps

Code: Select all

./ThinkTanks.bin -game TB -dedicated -mission ALL

Voila.

[deano]

thanks very much dude ...this finally works for me

i had to uninstall tt for some reason ...then reinstall....hmmm dont know but thanx SOOOO much