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I've been in this business for more almost a decade, worked with more than 50 server, dealt with servers with over than 5k online players. If you really want to make a successful server, then read this thread carefully because i will tell you the juice of 10 years of experience in this field.
Finding the right people.
This is the first phase of starting any successful business, you can't run a server with you own, you have to get people to get the job done. So, what we need?
- Database Developer (MUST)
This guy will be the core of the server, he will basically handle everything related to the backend, if you can't find a trustworthy person then hire someone who is known in this field (VSRO). Don't ever manage to start a big server with your little SQL knowledge.
- Filter (MUST)
Filter is the base of the server, don't ever underestimate the power of the filter, most of the failed big servers's fault was because their filter wasn't coded properly, so get in the safe side and buy a guaranteed and tested filter that been used by many servers, and i suggest you vSRO Plus or Maxiguard (I'm not advertising XD) They have like 50k online players in their connections. Trustworthy and very professional guys.
- Web Developer (MUST)
If you have a friend who can develop websites, then bring him with you. Don't risk it if he's beginner, a small exploit in the website could ruin your whole server, so professionalism is a must. If you don't know anyone, i suggest you to hire someone to do it for you, usually SRO website templates will cost you around 150 USD.
- Graphic Designer (MUST)
This guy will basically shapes your server identity into brand, you must get someone who make you a themed concept design, go away from eye cancer designers please, nobody will ever play a server that has a poor designs. You will find many talented graphic designers here in Elitepvpers, including me ofc XD, don't underestimate the power of the designs. The good branded object will always attract its customers.
- Video Maker (MUST)
Each server now manage to make their own unique teaser that tease the players and attract them to watch and get to know the server! Its one of postulates, and noway you open a server without a teaser. You can find multiple guys here in the thread who offer you a cinematic 3D videos for a fair amount of money.
- Advertiser (MUST)
There's no successful business without a powerful advertising campaign, right? The scene became very crowded, many servers opens everyday, and to get noticed in this competitive atmosphere you have to be unique, and i mean it like literally, you have to think out of the box. The advertiser will be the guy who get this job done, it doesn't really require you much work to do it yourself, but if you're good with ideas, you can just tell the graphic designer to make you a decent attractive image, and you write a wholesome unique matching post.
- Supporters (MUST)
You won't be able to handle everything alone, so you need someone to help you, answer the players and help them. These people will be helping you answering Facebook message, discord inquiries etc.. You can find many people volunteering for this if they found out that you are making a decent server, so don't bother yourself looking for one, you will get many requests.
Now what is the steps after gathering all the team?
- Study case of the scene and pick the most needed degree, don't make a big mistake and open like a 10d server when there's much 10d opened already, nobody will risk it in a new server specially if there's good server opening with a good reputation like the old known server which everyone knows.
- After settling down on the degree and races, you have to think of an attractive name for your server and work together with the designer to make a good looking identity for your server.
- Make a discord server, join Silkroad Communities server, pay and advertise your server there, make giveaways on Nitros at Facebook events, bring more players in your discord, you will need it.
- Start advertising your game on Facebook, if you have someone to translate your posts then do it. It shows how professional you are, how care to show to the other communities.
- 5- After finalizing your Website, Designs, Database. Its time for the beta, but before scheduling anything, you have to start working on your thread, a good looking one. Thread will mostly attract some players if it looks good, nobody will bother himself downloading a server if it doesn't have atleast a decent looking thread. After finishing the thread, pay someone to translate it to multiple languages and publish it in many forums, pay if required. (I make threads too check my signature XD)
- Its time for putting dates on the table, after declaring your dates plan, make post with them so you let people know what time are you coming and let them prepare. This is very important! You have to check all servers opening in month you opening, don't make a confliction please, don't make it so competitive, you're making a new server, no need to compete with old servers.
That's pretty much everything you need to know, now its time to sit back and pray XD
