"Jump starting" a server?

[longbyte1]

A server with lots of players has a tendency to attract more players. That said, nobody is going to join a server with 0 players, even if it's part of a large community, because there is no opponent. Nobody cares if it's listed in the forums or if it has a website as long as it's reputable (no cheaters rampant) and it has players online.

To start this cycle of players, we have to "jump start" or "kick start" the server by having lots of players join at once as to bump the server to the top of the list, so then even more players join, and the server is filled to the brim with players joining and leaving (that is, if everything goes well). The cycle could last from about two hours to a few days.

The only ways I know of to help start this cycle are the following:

• List an event that looks important but isn't important, but it still attract players. ("12v12 random gamemode tomorrow! put yourself on the list! first come, first serve! league players will be watching!")
• Spoof the number of players online. (Totally against the rules.)
• Get a ridiculous number of friends. (?!!?!?)
• Use an attractive name. ("Trending maps rotation! 24/7")

Any other ways that are more effective than these?

[Semper]

You can't just start off at the top. You have to work your self up there.

But lets say you have a server with maps people actually want to play (nobody wants to play big hill maps anymore and its going to be hard to get people on if there is 5 people on at a time and leaving and probably won't come back) find maps that people will want to play or host maps that recently just came out. Start off with small or medium maps and if you get lucky and get a full server lets say 20 people liked the server and they probably will come back and soon more players will find out about your server and have the server full almost 24/7

tip: don't use pinpoint or hallway or maps that 20 other servers are hosting

[Jedelas]

You can't just start off at the top. You have to work your self up there.

^Agreed.

tip: don't use pinpoint or hallway or maps that 20 other servers are hosting

Exaggeration gets the point across! But yeah, we got enough pinpoints and hallways. xD

[Jdrew]

Best way to spread word about your server is to spam IRC and tell people about it in mumble. Most people on mumble aren't doing much and would love to play a quick match which would start the cycle.

[Pedroh]

Best way to spread word about your server is to spam IRC and tell people about it in mumble. Most people on mumble aren't doing much and would love to play a quick match which would start the cycle.

Yes we have no life

[Jedelas]

Best way to spread word about your server is to spam IRC and tell people about it in mumble. Most people on mumble aren't doing much and would love to play a quick match which would start the cycle.

Yes we have no life

No, we have two lives. One that dwells in the noisy world of mumble, the other is lost in space and time.