Grismark Green, Only in Red

As most of you have already been made aware, we've been looking into getting a Life is Feudal: Your Own server for Grismark Gaming. This server would be open to the public and focused on roleplay while also trying to allow for actual combat and banditry without too much hand holding.

I've set up a website on grismarkgaming.enjin.com. Feel free to go join the site to get access to where I will be trying to keep most of this information.

As most of you are probably aware, servers aren't free and require money. Since I am asking for possible help in funding this server, I want to be transparent about the costs and options before we decide on anything.

Our current choice for provider is pingperfect. The current plan I am looking at is 14.29USD for 32 slots, LA based, with SSD. This would only be for a short period of time for testing the server. After we are certain it will work out and we are sure we need more slots, we can increase to 27.27USD for 64 slots, LA based, with SSD.

Seeing as this is primarily an Australian based group, ping might be a concern with some of you. To combat the lag issues facing Realm of Fury, we are going to have the SSD upgrade. After speaking with some former members of RoF that moderated the server and know more than I do, the SSD should solve most of the lag issues RoF is facing. We will also be running a script to clear over 40% of the trees on the server. This will reduce strain while also making the map less clustered and provide more options.

For those that are still worried about the ping, we have the option to get a server through pingperfect.com that is based out of Sydney for an extra 6.49USD each month. As of this moment, I prefer to stick with the LA based server for one month and test it out.

The plan for the server is to stress test it with large scale battles to check for possible ping and lag issues. For the first week it is up, it will be password protected and only for Grismark Gaming members and friends. I'd like to see as many as we possibly can for these tests. If the US based server is unable to provide, we talk about switching to the Sydney based.

After the testing is finished, the password will change and only certain members will have access. I won't spoil the surprise, but we will be making changes to the server to make it more 'unique' as best we can within the game engine. Players who are willing to help with clearing and planting trees, terraforming, and other busy work are welcome to join and help out to make this part of the project go faster.

As of this moment, these are the prices(USD) I am looking at per month:
$14.29 for the server. ($27.27 when/if we upgrade to 64)
$7.19 for the advanced plan of Enjin so we have certain options.
Teamspeak is free as Eager from SOCA(Cyanide for RoF3 players) has granted us a 70 slot server on his VPS.