Why can’t I play with you anymore?

Server policing in Counter Strike

Mid-Semester presentationBritt, Søren & Tore

Group 9

The presentation

• Brief overview of a game session• Server rules• Consequences for players

• Log on via Steam and look for a server•Often between 8-16 players•Some maps can handle up to 32

• Join a server• Agree to the server rules• Start playing

Beginning a ’typical’ CS Session

Server Rules

• Outside the actual game• Private documents• Written by the admins of the

server• Not monitored or controlled by

Valve

Why these ’house rules’?

• Technological issue becomes a social issue– Lessig

• Cyberspace is not inherently free, but is dependent on the code that lies beneath it?

– Auto-kick for idling or team killing

• Only few players can be in a game• No room for goof-offs

Why these ’house rules’?

• Emphasize a good game experiece• Server rules differentiate the clan

from others• Subcultural differentiation

– No racist remarks– Do not shoot hostages

• Some players do that, we do not!

Consequences

• This is my house, and if you don’t like it…– Valve takes no responsibilities for

server admins’ actions. Kicks with no warnings

• Offensive content• A jungle for beginners