1.Make the server from a clean set of server files never ever use a repack as a base.
Why, repacks are good because they have every thing set up for you but crap because there all the same which makes the server shit when 30+ servers all look basically the same.
2. customize the server.
don't have things that others have, make you own stuff: new systems, new mobs etc.
3. a good web page with lots of info about the server and with a automatic registration script no manual registration by email, it sucks trust me
4. don't let you gms summon items ever, they will likely end up giving out items to there friends etc.
5. run a server on a dedicated host / root server / DO NOT HOST IT ON YOUR HOME PC it will lag and players will get pissed off fast.
6. be nice to players.
The nicer the gms are to the players the more they will stick around and tell there friends about how good you server is.
Be nasty and players will say how shit you server is just to stop people from joining.
7. make a client patch. and a client some people are not on the fastest net connection and don't like waiting 6 hours to download a 3/400 mg client so smaller the patch the better.
8. make updates easier by running the update server or some sort of auto updater i run 2 updaters one being the update server second being a http updater that pulls the files from a website for easiness.
9. don't have to many game masters and set gm rules if they brake the rules kick them from the team don't let them mess up your hard work.
10. advertising the server and how you do it matters. don't lie when you are doing this and don't just copy some other servers add from here and post it while editing it a bit use top list.
Don't advertise on int. server or other private servers.
why, if you advertise on other servers or get players to do so some of the time that server owner might attack your server, not saying they will but some team leaders will.
11. make sure you fix bugs, test it first before updating.
Don't update to fast or you will get bugs because you rushed.
12. make sure the server has no holes in it.
sql injection is dangerous so make sure all scripts connection from the website to the main server are sql inject protected.
There are people that read this forum and inject your server just for fun or to teach you a lesson
which will result in a deleted database or other problems.
13. player support matters the better your support is the more players will see you care about them so use a forum and a ticket support system
14. taking donations
I've seen a lot of servers just open up to make money, there is not a lot of cash to be made from a private server but anyway do not start up a server to make money.
Taking donations to pay for the server is down to you..
15. learn and understand the files. the more you understand the files the better you will be able to melt them to what you want.
Theres some things about the files that i know that most likely no others know.
16. rates and length
The server rates are everything, think about the rates when you make the server.
A low rate server will get more people in time higher rates will make get you more people quicker but they wont stay for long because the rates will be to high.
Don't make the rates any higher then 250x exp, making a 500x or a 1000x server people will play for like 2 days then go to another server.
and if you are going to open a server do it for a long time not just 2 weeks it pisses people off fast.
theres some servers that have been around since the start like mine.
over a year and 5 months + and then theres others the hoax team have been here since the start and had good servers.
X-Perience has had 2 resets that i know about 1 being a complete remake of there server.
NeoGenesisX NOT genarationx has been around for as long as i have, they shut down for some time but are back online now and are a good team. there are other servers that have been around for some time but keep opening and shutting down there servers.
so basically
just don't open a server for 2 weeks. make custom stuff for the server that nobody else has.
Don't use a repack start from basic files. update often. keep the players happy. make the server as best as you can learn the files and understand them. if you need help post in the forums there are people that will help you on here.
anyway that should do for now if any other devs can think of other things to add to this list just post it and ill add it






