Is it possible to run 0 A.D. in a "server-mode"? Or otherwise consuming less resources when only hosting?

[Ceres]

Hello!

I have a laptop here, which currently hosts a game for 2 kids, who play on 2 mini PCs (LAN).  I thought that maybe using the laptop as host has some advantage to using one of the 2 mini PCs as host, but its fan is constantly at maximum speed. So maybe it was not such a good idea.

Is it possible to run 0 A.D. in a "server-mode" only, i.e. consuming less resources on the device than compared to when playing on the device itself? Or is it simply enough to put all gfx to a minimum on the server and let it run (e.g. in windowed mode) in the background? I am not talking about a "headless" mode, as I assume the server needs the GUI to select all the necessary game settings. But maybe it would be helpful if in a "server-mode" at least gfx (and audio) stuff could be (temporarily, i.e. while the game continues?) switched off, when gfx (and audio) are not needed on the server. Sorry, if this does not make sense to you at all. Maybe I'm creating something up without a need.

 

[Stan`]

Hi,

Not it's not possible as the game is deterministic to require less network usage, so everyone has to compute the game state. Which means the slowest will slow everything...

[Yekaterina]

A way to ease the load on the laptop is:

1. Host a game, but let the host laptop be a spec

2. When the match starts, turn all graphics settings on the laptop to minimum, then choose one of the player's perspective. 

The idea is normal observer/overload perspective allows you to see every detail on the map, which increases load. If you switch to a player's mode, you only need to render what that player can see. This would only require the laptop to render a small portion of the map, hence the load is smaller. 

Even better: add an unassigned player and switch to that perspective. The unassigned player will never explore or expand so its field of view would be limited to just the starting cc. 

[Ceres]

Thank you both - great hints! I assume that the spectating player should be non-KI and the starting figures should be set to passive or hold, right? (else, they might interfere with the real players?)

 

@Stan`

Could you please consider adding these hints in the Wiki? If I was allowed doing so, I would be happy to take this task.

Edited April 20, 2021 by Ceres

[Stan`]

1 minute ago, Ceres said:

 

@Stan`Can you (or whom?) add these hints in the Wiki?

You can, but where?

 

[Ceres]

Sorry, Stan`, I just edited my post to be more polite, i.e. kindly asking you. Erm, let me see, if I find a good spot and then I let you know, ok?

[Ceres]

How about there? https://trac.wildfiregames.com/wiki/FAQ#BasicTroubleshooting

Issue: When hosting a game, the PC/laptop can barely cope with the required technical prerequisites, leading to game lag.

Possible solution:

1 hour ago, Yekaterina said:

A way to ease the load on the laptop is:

1. Host a game, but let the host laptop be a spec

2. When the match starts, turn all graphics settings on the laptop to minimum, then choose one of the player's perspective. 

The idea is normal observer/overload perspective allows you to see every detail on the map, which increases load. If you switch to a player's mode, you only need to render what that player can see. This would only require the laptop to render a small portion of the map, hence the load is smaller. 

Even better: add an unassigned player and switch to that perspective. The unassigned player will never explore or expand so its field of view would be limited to just the starting cc. 

 

[Stan`]

Sounds good. If you create an account there you should be able to edit the page.

9 minutes ago, Ceres said:

Sorry, Stan`,

Don't worry too much. You need to go very far before I'm gonna get mad

[Langbart]

5 minutes ago, Ceres said:

How about there? https://trac.wildfiregames.com/wiki/FAQ#BasicTroubleshooting

If you have got more FAQ's, put them in there, I literally just redid this 3 year old page, yesterday. 
The layout needs to improved, the content is mostly up to date and useful.

[Ceres]

Done.

 

@Yekaterina

What did you mean with "cc" at the end of your post ("... so its field of view would be limited to just the starting cc")?

I will like to clarify this in the Wiki FAQ.

Edited April 20, 2021 by Ceres

[Langbart]

6 minutes ago, Ceres said:

Done.

Great, there are not many users who edit wiki pages, I'm glad you did.

Note:

(1) Adding a small comment makes it easier to check what has been changed.

(2) I have used the date format (DD/Mon/YY) throughout the page, we should keep it consistent

[Yekaterina]

CC = civic centre / Military colony / Kleroukhia

It is an abbreviation used in competitive matches, for example: 'blue rams to your cc!', 'my cc under attack', 'cav near my cc'.

[Ceres]

@Langbart

Thank you! Yes, of course, I added a comment, amend the date so it fits the general use, and spelled out cc.

@Yekaterina
Thank you, too, for the explanation!

 

Edited April 20, 2021 by Ceres

[Langbart]

54 minutes ago, Ceres said:

Thank you! Yes, of course, I added a comment, amend the date so it fits the general use, and spelled out cc.

A FAQ button, which will link to the wiki/FAQ may be included in the next version of the game. The patch (D3499) is currently under review on phabricator.