I have no idea if you are ever going to support this idea Haxus, but there might be a solution to turn the official multiplayer server into private servers that people can host. Hopefully this will really reduce the costs of your servers.
1) Build an authentication system for Shores of Hazeron. It might be a bit safer too if a username is connected with a 25 digit serial key.
2) Give people the freedom to host their own private servers, up to max. 100 solar systems so it can be hosted at a cheap VPS. (server owner can choose if it is a peace or war dimension)
2.a) If the server owner is hosting the dedicated server, the server asks for the 25 digit serial key and connects the server with the avatar and makes him automatically the owner.
2.b) Crash logs inside the private servers could automatically be collected and send back to the Hazeron database.
3) If it comes up to private servers, the admins should have five commands only; ban, kick, flying cam, teleport to player and refueling vehicles.
4) If people play a private server hosted by someone, they can see in a new window (just like the official empires page) how many empires exist and who owns them, with information about the in-game avatars.
5) It would still be fun if your official server will still be there. This will give a reliable feeling for people that are pushing a lot of energy into building their empire, so that they know that their empire wouldn't be gone within a week if the server owner just drops down his/her own private server.
1) Build an authentication system for Shores of Hazeron. It might be a bit safer too if a username is connected with a 25 digit serial key.
2) Give people the freedom to host their own private servers, up to max. 100 solar systems so it can be hosted at a cheap VPS. (server owner can choose if it is a peace or war dimension)
2.a) If the server owner is hosting the dedicated server, the server asks for the 25 digit serial key and connects the server with the avatar and makes him automatically the owner.
2.b) Crash logs inside the private servers could automatically be collected and send back to the Hazeron database.
3) If it comes up to private servers, the admins should have five commands only; ban, kick, flying cam, teleport to player and refueling vehicles.
4) If people play a private server hosted by someone, they can see in a new window (just like the official empires page) how many empires exist and who owns them, with information about the in-game avatars.
5) It would still be fun if your official server will still be there. This will give a reliable feeling for people that are pushing a lot of energy into building their empire, so that they know that their empire wouldn't be gone within a week if the server owner just drops down his/her own private server.