[sisirk]

Ok, so it's a pretty strange question but I would appreciate any opinions etc...

I need to start my clan from scratch due to some poor decisions.
What would be a good server to rent in order to build up the community again?

We were mainly based in f.e.a.r but this game is dying so we lost a lot of members and it is near impossible to recruit now.
Had a COD4 server but it never seemed to take off great, i'm not quiet sure why to be honest. 20 Slot S&D HC server, tried other modes but with no great success.
Tried a BC2 server for a bit, but this was a complete disaster.

Do you think there are any servers which would be good to make a fresh start from?

[KC-Justin]

Tricky one...If you're playing the percentages, the most popular games are (no particular order):

BC2
CSS
CoD 4 + mods
BF2 + mods
2142 +mods
TF2

Also note that Medal of Honor is on the way as is Vietnam expansion pack for BC2.

[Kolor]

Find a game you love. Doesn't matter how many people play or how popular a game ... if the passion and fun is not there it's destined to fail.

[RaWClan]

As Kolor said you need to start with a game YOU love or else there is no point.

I started my clan off just over a year ago with just myself and 2 friends from scratch after leaving our previous clan due to 'Managment Differences'
We started off with running Just CoD4 but on version 1.6 NOT 1.7 as there are just as many players and much fewer servers on 1.6 so your server will get more of a chance.
If CoD4 is a game you like then I would recomend either a TDM server with the most popular maps on rotation (Crash, Backlot, Broadcast and Ambush) and/or a single map rotation like Backlot running all gamemodes one after another TDM, DM, S&D, DOM then SAB. We run both of these (Our single map server is Broadcast 32 Slots and Fills up by itself every single day)
You could also run a mod server for CoD4. There are some great mods and maps out at the moment and if you pick carefully and set up your server well you will have no problem filling it. We are currently running a CoD4 Mod that emulates MW2 with Weapons, Maps, Sounds and Perks and as far as I am aware we are the only clan running it on 1.6. It does well each day and has pushed that server into the top 6% worldwide which is pretty good for a mod server on COD4.
I definatly think 1.6 is a better patch version for a smaller clan starting up as its the version the game ships as when bought on dvd and most public players dont bother patching if its not manatory (Like COD)

Now the tough bits...
With a GOOD CoD4 server you will find it self populating pretty quickly then all you need to do is add in your console msgs to say you are recruiting and be active in your server and talk to ppl and you should pick up a few members in no time at all.
Once you have a few other guys and have them in your TS or Vent server with you then find out what else they/you own and play then go from there...
I find Source games and Battlefield Games dont self populate as well as CoD so you will need 3 or 4 of you to kick start them each day for a while BUT once you start getting ppl adding you to thier favoirtes list and your clan name gets known you should be away in no time. We have had mixed results with BFBC2 but we do fill servers with a bit of work to kickstart them by getting 4+ members to play and get more public players in.
Also I find games like L4D, L4D2 and Killing floor to be good for self population and advertising due to match making systems and random join functions. Just make sure you have your website or details displayed as much as possible (without spamming)
Use colours in your server Name rather than just white (If the game supports this)

I have found CS:S and BF2 to be really bad for self population due to the shear number of existing servers BUT again if you have 3 or 4 members who can all join the server and play for 1/2 and hour you should populate quickly so long as you have a popular setup (or mods/maps in CS:S)

I havent really run TF2 servers but I do play it and know that there are alot of gamers allways looking for good servers.

Finnaly make sure you run PBBans and have a clear set rule list and maybe use an auto admin to deal with players who break your rules when you cant be around to admin. (B3 and Manu are great for COD games). There is nothing that will empty a server quicker then blatent hackers, abusive and rude kids and ppl not following your rules!

Like Justin said you also have MoH - Tier1 and the Expansion for BFBC2 coming up plus POSSIBLY CoD : Blackops (Although dont know about dedis on this yet) and that will be a good time to gain some members as there will be a ton of players looking for decent servers and new clans. Also using Killercreation is a good plan as we get people connecting from all over the world due to low pings and smooth gameplay. We allways get messages from ppl in the US and Further reaches of EU / Russia who cant believe our servers are UK based and how smooth our games are even if they do have an above average ping! Its a great network!

Good luck with it bud, its a daunting task but you should be good. Just stick with it
{RaW}Vimes - Revenge at War / UK eXtreme Gaming

+++EDIT+++ Just found this in the KC Forums, it might be some use to you... http://www.killercre...anleader-bible/

This post has been edited by RaWClan: 06 September 2010 - 11:57 AM