AFK Management

[Roknar]

There's some really annoying AFK problems you got going on your Avalanche server whether the player is AFK-ing with a game influencing weapon like an MG/Rocket or just being another dead weight teammate. The teams would appear even by the numbers, but that is not the case when you can see them sleeping in spawn. Or maybe they are clogging up the server in spectate when the server is full.

You're relying on an aging system to "message an admin", (if there even is one on at the time) and get them to finally remove the AFK player(s).

This is analogous to your server is running like an outdated rotary phone; it needs to get with the times and upgrade.

Invest in rebuilding infrastructure. Get some AFK scripts to manage players intelligently and smoothly.

Thanks.

 

[Simon]

From what I understand, the usual AFK management plugins that other source games use that auto move people to spec and kick, are unsupported, broken or not compatible with DoD. Trust me, we don't want to worry about the afk players but the game has very little support.

 

[Brewmaster]

When I'm in game I try to manage the afk and spec players - as do all the admins I see. We do our best and hope you enjoy the servers EGO offers to you to play on free as long as you follow the rules. thanks

 

[BebeStars]

would be nice if your afk 20 mins that you auto get put in spectator mode as it would help some of us who play at times when admins can't be there get the mg, rocket, or sniper classes back.

 

[Cubey]

There is a votekick feature. It is a supported DOD plugin.

The votekick can be configured to team vote only. Furthermore, the AFK player has the ability to over-ride the vote by voting no against himself. If somebody is AFK they cannot over-ride and will be removed from the server.

 

[Warrenheil]

I think we could probably find a plugin that would work,
but I don't really think its necessary.

We do a relatively good job in general of handling afk/specs.

I am a fond believer in automation, and it would be nice to have something setup,
but usually we just have 1 or 2 afk players, which can sometimes balance things
out, if the skill on both sides don't always match up. so long as they don't have
special classes, which can sometimes be the case. most the time though, you can
make do with what you got.

 

[I SURVIVED LONDON BLITZ]

I think any plug-in for removal of AFK's or Spec's would be a disadvantage to the game, when I am on I encourage the players to inform me because when an admin is playing he gets involved and can miss a lot. But saying that I must also say that some of the big offenders are admin's, as other admin's eg and ego's dont like to move or kick them in case they are in the wrong.
I will now zip the lip before I say to much.



LONDON BLITZ

 

[Q-tip]

I must also say that some of the big offenders are admin's, as other admin's eg and ego's dont like to move or kick them in case they are in the wrong.

I dont think this is a bad thing. I used to worry about that, but now it just means more room for people that will play. Have no fear to move to spec or even kick other admins, just make sure to first find out if they are in spec for a reason... like making a demo. If I ask them and get no response, I will kick them with the reason "AFK full server, see ya soon!"

Keeps it casual and nice and I have yet to have anyone get mad about it.

 

[Roknar]

Admins often take 10+ mins to finally move an obvious afk to spec. Many players do not even know they have to message an admin or know they need to use the @ command to do so. There have been plenty of times admins have not been on to remove afks. Special weapon classes do have a significant presence for map control, and when one of them is afk, it really hurts the team's effectiveness.

How would automated management be disadvantageous to the server? Its annoying having to ask every-time; its like asking an adult can I go to the bathroom every time? Majority of the time players are asking admins to fix the afks instead of the admins proactively watching out for them and handling them.

One afk management plugin in use on several Dod:s servers. I'm sure it could be modified to move players to spectate or kicked under specific conditions.
https://forums.alliedmods.net/showthread.php?p=708265

Several DoD:S servers running several versions of the plugin. Could maybe contact them for assistance if needed.
3.4.3
https://www.gametracker.com/search/...riable&search_by2=sm_afkm_version&query=3.4.3
3.5.0
https://www.gametracker.com/search/...riable&search_by2=sm_afkm_version&query=3.5.0
3.5.2
https://www.gametracker.com/search/...riable&search_by2=sm_afkm_version&query=3.5.2

36 total servers currently running some version of the plugin
http://www.sourcemod.net/newstats.php?mod_id=91&addon_id=553

 

[I SURVIVED LONDON BLITZ]

Roknar, the main thing to remember that admins are also playing the game and as you should know when you are actively trying to win you get engrossed in what you are doing. We have no complaints that you tell us but please dont expect admins to jump straight away.
Secondly admins could be dealing with another problems and an automatic move or kick plugin could be disadvantage to the game and the players.

 

[Roknar]

please dont expect admins to jump straight away.
Secondly admins could be dealing with another problems

This is just another reason why an automated system is a good idea.

an automatic move or kick plugin could be disadvantage to the game and the players.

Please explain how it would be disadvantageous.
A properly written plugin can handle AFKs just fine without problem to the players or server.

 

[wewo]

in addition to messaging an admin you can simply use voice chat.

As a rule of thumb admins usually wait for three respawns (for themselves), if the same player is in spec he/she then gets kicked or moved. The delay is to make sure we are not kicking someone who took a two minute break to use the restroom, get a snack, etc.

I believe eGO tries to keep plugins to a minimum for technical reasons that exceed my knowledge.

All this being said, your comments should serve as a reminder to all admins to be aware of afks and spectators, especially when the server is full.

 

[private jackson]

I think if we were to go down the automation path it would have to be thoroughly tested and have a proper trial. As I said when the discussion about the point reset happened, there will always be a group of people that disagree with the final decision

 

[Warrenheil]

A good example,
the other day I warned a player in spec, and I gave them several minutes to join.
then just as i was fixing to move them, they joined the game.

so an automated system would have just removed the player without this flexibility.
which could have potentially dwindled our server population.

 

[Roknar]

A good example,
the other day I warned a player in spec, and I gave them several minutes to join.
then just as i was fixing to move them, they joined the game.

so an automated system would have just removed the player without this flexibility.
which could have potentially dwindled our server population.

Here's the counterargument.

The plugin doesn't kick spectators unless the server is full 32/32.
So if there is a spectator idle (not pressing any buttons, chatting, etc) for like what 5 mins? 10 mins? (pick an idle threshold)
Then they are finally kicked.
They would only be kicked if the server was full.
If the server is full, I highly doubt it will dwindle the server population since it is likely a high traffic period.
If someone is idling for that long on a full server, they really ought to go. (that's subjective)

Players are NEVER kicked from the server if it is NOT full 32/32.
Thus why I doubt it would harm server population.

**players taking demos can easily avoid being marked as idle**

 

[I SURVIVED LONDON BLITZ]

Roknar,
There is a saying "any thing that is not broken dont try to mend it"
This situation with spec's and afk's is because admins are playing, but players can and do tell the admin and in my case I respond, but as I have stated you cant expect admins to jump when requested. It is still better than auto kick or move. I have played dod every day for 17 years bar 8 weeks in hospital and 9 of those years as admin and I personally find we work very good, hic cups will always happen what ever system you use.


LONDON BLITZ

 

[Roknar]

There is a saying "any thing that is not broken don't try to mend it"

Are you honestly suggesting it is not broken?
Yet several players complain. And they talk especially about afks when there is a lack of admins present.

I feel as if you don't want to lose one of the few things you do as admin to an automated plugin that can do your job so much more efficiently.
Here is a better saying I'd hope you would take up,
"Out with the old, in with the new."

 

[Roknar]

Seriously guys, why so hard-pressed against change?

 

[I SURVIVED LONDON BLITZ]

roknar,
If you have not noticed dod is dying and each time you change things you help kill it a bit quicker, I am not against change but where it will help but not all the things you want will help.
If you are so concerned you can put admins on your Steam Friends an also use "Teamspeak" you will find help there.


LONDON BLITZ

 

[Broadsword]

I am sure there was a fully tested Afk pluggin out there that wouldn't involve kicking just moving to spec.

In the past I had this tested on servers for FeuerSturm and found no problem, but then I now out of touch with most things server side.
If it didn't effect the Spec side then players would still be able to idle there to help fill the server until such time an admin was in game.
I didn't think we had an afk issue tbh.