Battlefield Heroes

Hi guys. I'm the admin for Pitfall Free For All . I don't visit the forums too often, so bear with me. :-)

There have been a few questions on how we operate, ban, level balance, etc. so I figured I'd try to answer some of those questions.

Our server is aimed towards lower-level heroes. Why? Well, as I was leveling up my various heroes I found it frustrating to get absolutely crushed by hackers, noob-bashers and whatnot. Pitfall is set up to try and make a friendlier environment for new players.

Why the level limit?

We have a level cap of 21 on our server. That doesn't necessarily mean a level 21 can get in (see below). If you're beyond level 21 chances are you can fend for yourself pretty easily. Level 21 was sort of an arbitrary choice.

What about noob bashing / level balancing?

In addition to the level 21 cap, we also have a level balancer in place. I won't go into specifics, but the server basically tries to keep the levels of the players within a range that is fair. So if you get booted because you're a level 20 trying to join a game of new players (say level 1-5) don't get upset.

I got banned and I shouldn't have been!

Keeping hackers out has become an increasingly difficult task. For a while GGC allowed us to report hackers and it was insanely effective. But the hackers have caught up and it's now much more difficult to catch hackers with 100% accuracy.

As a server admin I can render the opinion that PunkBuster really drags their feet in keeping up with the latest hacks. Lately catching a hacker is based largely on circumstantial evidence. As the server admin I do my best to keep hackers out and good players in, but it's an imperfect science. While I try to be cautious in banning players I still have to be vigilant. Sometimes an innocent player gets caught in the mix and for that I sincerely apologize.

Who monitors the server?

Our primary monitor is AutoAdmin. Pedro, the developer of AutoAdmin, is a BFH god. I hope EA is floating him a bit of cash every now and then because he has single-handedly made this a better game. AutoAdmin's integration with GGC is also essential.

In addition to that, we have a piece of custom code that handles some other duties, specifically the level balancing and limits. It's imperfect. There are more things I wish it did but I just haven't had the time to go in and add more stuff. That said, it's web-based and it's status window is open on my desktop 24/7. I'm occasionally monitoring the status of the server when it alerts me to something weird (like a abnormally high KDR, an eternally idle player, etc).

I should also mention that the application XtianRCON is showing some serious promise for server admins. bfhXTIAN and eXtramous - please keep up the good work!

You're a power-hungry abusive jerk with your server

Uh... I don't mean to be. Honestly, I'm just trying to provide a great place to play a game and have fun. Some people may hate Pitfall, and I'm sorry for that, but in reality there are tons of other servers to play on.

Final comments

Battlefield Heroes is a great game and it has a great community. While I choose to remain mostly anonymous you probably shouldn't. Thank you to everyone for making it a great place to be. Also thanks for constantly kicking my butt on the battlefield. ;-)

If anyone has any questions I'll do my best to answer them. :-)

-Pitfall

Welcome to the forums I guess, please be aware however that there is an entire section dedicated to Rental Servers and such --> http://www.battlefieldheroes.com/en/foru...hp?fid=136

Bad server is bad server.

(26-08-2011 03:33 AM)UnleashTheFury Wrote: [ -> ]Bad server is bad server.

There is no need for a level cap at 21 and it also may be against the terms of service, that you as a server owner, signed up to. So you better check up on that in the correct part of the forums, which is the Rental servers and such section.

its not a bad server(i actually prefer it when i play my under lvl 15 characters as i lvl them up), just has some lag issues atm that is all. I like playing on pitfall with my low lvl characters cuz u know you wont run into a lvl 30 =l.l=

its easier to run into a lvl 30 when ur under lvl 15 then it is to run into a hacker...

I think the server is fine, just the only thing I dislike, which is not your fault, is that it constantly tries to make my heroes that are a few levels higher than the level cap join. So, that does become a bit tedious and annoying, because out of the like 6 servers I can join because of my level one of them kicks me. But, over all, I think it's a fine server, and I can very well see why you would want a level cap.

yeah dont know why people pick fun of this server. imo is a nice haven for low lvls against high lvl bashers ^_^

especially with the Play it now button putting high level players on low level servers, really annoying that these players don't leave and bash on the n00bs, but then again all the one's I came across bringing up my low level hero, I was able to easily own.

If other admins can have restrictions on widgets, weapons and class, why is it any different to have a level limit cap as well. Makes sense to have a safe haven for new players to learn without being bashed by high level players. Besides once one high level player joins the server, it becomes all high level soon after because his friends join in.

thanks for the info. I really enjoy your server

I agree with Assassin, I often get connected to Pitfall through Play Now, and even while a level 21, I just quit because I know level balancing always kicks that character. I wish you did more infantry maps than the vehicle but we all have our preferences. I think it definitely has a niche. It's a great place for low levels to practice and learn the basics of the game without having n00bbashers constantly kill them. As far as violating TOS I doubt that since it is clearly stated on the banner. After connecting to it once or twice you know what you are in for and you will be kicked if over the level limit. Good luck with the server.

(26-08-2011 03:51 AM)Drew Wrote: [ -> ]There is no need for a level cap at 21 and it also may be against the terms of service, that you as a server owner, signed up to. So you better check up on that in the correct part of the forums, which is the Rental servers and such section.

Not the judge here, but as I read the rules, this differs not from eg. the class limit. Ie. if stated in the banner it should be ok. (any blue can jump in anytime and tell me im wrong )

anyhoo.. moved to correct section.

(26-08-2011 07:08 AM)Madface Wrote: [ -> ]I agree with Assassin, I often get connected to Pitfall through Play Now, and even while a level 21, I just quit because I know level balancing always kicks that character. I wish you did more infantry maps than the vehicle but we all have our preferences.

Yeah, being connected via "Play Now" when you're already over level 21 is a bummer. I don't have a great solution for that I'm afraid. My own 21+ characters connect and get kicked there on occasion which is sort of ironic I guess.

As for the map selection, I actually chose the maps mainly on one criteria - use the ones where the games tend to be more balanced. Coastal Clash is one of my favorite maps but I left it out of the rotation because I've seen a lot of really unbalanced games on it. There's not a lot of fun to be had when you first get connected and get crushed at your home spawn. ;-)

(26-08-2011 03:53 AM)DominiEmpri Wrote: [ -> ]its not a bad server(i actually prefer it when i play my under lvl 15 characters as i lvl them up), just has some lag issues atm that is all.

-Pitfall

You are correct about the lag issues as of late. LeetServers had to do a drive swap on that box and it hasn't been the same since. I'll open a trouble ticket with them, but yes, there's something funky happening especially at the start/end of rounds.

wtf with this fail4ss server I am only level 16 and your banner says level 21 yet you keep kicking me. More admin abuse..

i see an automatic message from an admintool...
and some bad words from the player who gets kicked.

I really enjoy your server! Keep up the good work

(10-02-2012 07:20 PM)wildes_wiesel Wrote: [ -> ]i see an automatic message from an admintool...
and some bad words from the player who gets kicked.

Automatic for what? The banner clearly states level protection 21 meaning anyone under level 21 can play. The other team was winning by a large spread so there was no reason I should have been kicked, the so called swearing was after being kicked 2 times previously, so yes it is a fail server and or administrator.

@Holefire

(26-08-2011 02:43 AM)pitfallffa Wrote: [ -> ]In addition to the level 21 cap, >>we also have a level balancer in place<<. I won't go into specifics, but the server basically tries to keep the levels of the players within a range that is fair. So if you get booted because you're a level 20 trying to join a game of new players (say level 1-5) don't get upset.

-Pitfall

Anyway, if you get kicked automatically twice, just spam the chat the second you get in. A chatban only lasts for 1 round, and in the meantime PlayNow won't assign you to a server from which you are banned

"It has to be in the banner *whine whine*"
Bla bla bla, you would try to get away with it anyway. It's not like matchmaking check the banner before sending you in there. Why are servers attempting to do good things, targeted by whine-flamers?

(26-08-2011 02:43 AM)pitfallffa Wrote: [ -> ]Hi guys. I'm the admin for Pitfall Free For All . I don't visit the forums too often, so bear with me. :-)

There have been a few questions on how we operate, ban, level balance, etc. so I figured I'd try to answer some of those questions.

Our server is aimed towards lower-level heroes. Why? Well, as I was leveling up my various heroes I found it frustrating to get absolutely crushed by hackers, noob-bashers and whatnot. Pitfall is set up to try and make a friendlier environment for new players.

Why the level limit?

We have a level cap of 21 on our server. That doesn't necessarily mean a level 21 can get in (see below). If you're beyond level 21 chances are you can fend for yourself pretty easily. Level 21 was sort of an arbitrary choice.

What about noob bashing / level balancing?

In addition to the level 21 cap, we also have a level balancer in place. I won't go into specifics, but the server basically tries to keep the levels of the players within a range that is fair. So if you get booted because you're a level 20 trying to join a game of new players (say level 1-5) don't get upset.

I got banned and I shouldn't have been!

Keeping hackers out has become an increasingly difficult task. For a while GGC allowed us to report hackers and it was insanely effective. But the hackers have caught up and it's now much more difficult to catch hackers with 100% accuracy.

As a server admin I can render the opinion that PunkBuster really drags their feet in keeping up with the latest hacks. Lately catching a hacker is based largely on circumstantial evidence. As the server admin I do my best to keep hackers out and good players in, but it's an imperfect science. While I try to be cautious in banning players I still have to be vigilant. Sometimes an innocent player gets caught in the mix and for that I sincerely apologize.

Who monitors the server?

Our primary monitor is AutoAdmin. Pedro, the developer of AutoAdmin, is a BFH god. I hope EA is floating him a bit of cash every now and then because he has single-handedly made this a better game. AutoAdmin's integration with GGC is also essential.

In addition to that, we have a piece of custom code that handles some other duties, specifically the level balancing and limits. It's imperfect. There are more things I wish it did but I just haven't had the time to go in and add more stuff. That said, it's web-based and it's status window is open on my desktop 24/7. I'm occasionally monitoring the status of the server when it alerts me to something weird (like a abnormally high KDR, an eternally idle player, etc).

I should also mention that the application XtianRCON is showing some serious promise for server admins. bfhXTIAN and eXtramous - please keep up the good work!

You're a power-hungry abusive jerk with your server

Uh... I don't mean to be. Honestly, I'm just trying to provide a great place to play a game and have fun. Some people may hate Pitfall, and I'm sorry for that, but in reality there are tons of other servers to play on.

Final comments

Battlefield Heroes is a great game and it has a great community. While I choose to remain mostly anonymous you probably shouldn't. Thank you to everyone for making it a great place to be. Also thanks for constantly kicking my butt on the battlefield. ;-)

If anyone has any questions I'll do my best to answer them. :-)

-Pitfall

Pitfall has a bad reputation, and look at you, hiding. I would considered you as a fake, however, since the admin/owner at pitfall is a troll, I wouldn't think otherwise. All that server does is favor the moderators team, bans good players with the "cheater" excuse, and use moderator tools to unfair ban/kick players(for example, you are kicked for high ping, above average, you hacker). Having play now match me with your server disgust me. I feel sorry for the noobs who gets bashed in favor of the moderator/owner and yet, you speak of how "nice" the server is? Pfff, only reason that server remains on is because the game doesn't support a reporting server option and makes it very difficult to report the server. While the server remains ranked, you have some obligations to follow, hypocritical jerk.

Thanks for admitting to owning that server

(21-02-2012 10:55 AM)2DayULive Wrote: [ -> ]Pitfall has a bad reputation

Might say more about the user base of BFH than about Pitfall.

Edit: Quote BB-code mistake : )