“Game Server Automation” is a purchasable add-on for Synthesis VR Essential Access and Synthesis VR Ultimate.

Modules & Add-Ons are purchasable features that increase the functionality and capability of the Synthesis VR platform.

The “Game Server Automation” add-on allows you to operate a dedicated, multi-player game server computer.

Additional Notes:

• Some Synthesis VR games require the “Game Server Automation” Add-On
• The “Game Server Automation” Add-On is purchasable with free credit

What Is A Game Server?

A game server is a specialized computer that is designed to host multiplayer online games. It plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and interaction between players in a game. Game servers are responsible for managing various aspects of the gaming experience, such as multiplayer connectivity, game logic, data storage, player communication, scalability etc.

In summary, a game server is the backbone of a multiplayer online game, managing player interactions, game logic, and data storage to provide a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience.

What is a Synthesis VR Game Server?

A game server is a computer in your network that has a special version of the Synthesis VR Access Point application.

This is special version is achieved by installing the Synthesis VR Access Point, unsubscribing the computer from the “Essential Activation” module, and then subscribing the computer to the “Game Server Automation” Add-On.

Why Do I Need The “Game Server Automation” Add-On

Many of our free roam titles and premium games require a server instance.

That instance is running on a separate computer, that cannot be used for any actual gameplay.

The “Game Server Automation” module is specifically designed to monitor the games and automatically start the game server instance when you need it.

This computer:

• Does not have a VR headset attached to it.

• Provides a spectator/operator view of gameplay.

• Is used to adjust game settings/parameters such as game mode, map size, player names, headset calibration, team management, on-the-fly.
• Needs a VR READY PC with an external graphics card
• Will not have any licensing usage billing attached to it

Task 1: Installing A Synthesis VR Game Server

Step 1: Pre-Requirements

• You must have the Synthesis VR Proxy Service installed on a computer in the same network you plan on installing a game server. If you have not done so, follow this guide, then come back here.
  • It is okay to have the Game Server and the Synthesis VR Proxy installed on the same computer. In fact, this is a common practice.

Step 2: Install the Synthesis VR Access Point

• Follow this guide to install the Synthesis VR Access Point, then come back here.
• You will know you have installed successfully if your application looks like this

Step 3: Unsubscribe This Computer From The Essential Activation Module

By default, a newly installed instance of the Synthesis VR Access Point on a computer tells the Synthesis VR System that this computer will be used as a VR gaming station. We need to inform the Synthesis system that this will not be a VR gaming station. This is done by unsubscribing to the “Essential Activation” module.

• Login to the Synthesis Web Terminal : https://my.synthesisvr.com
• Navigate to the Administration page
• Click on “Billing“
• Click on “Add“
• Locate the “Essential Activation” Module, and select manage
• Locate the Station that will be the game server
• Select “Mark For Cancellation“
• Select “Instant Removal“

Step 4: Subscribe This Computer To The Game Server Automation Module

• As noted above, navigate to Administration -> Billing -> Add
• Locate the “Game Server Automation” Module, Select Enable
• Select the desired station
• Subscribe to the module with a billing period of your choice.

Step 5: Refresh Your Station

Refreshing the station will confirm your changes, and the Synthesis VR Access Point will now say “Dedicated Gaming Server”.

*You might have to refresh a few times

Task 2: Assigning Games To Utilize The Game Server

Step 1: License A Game That Requires A Game Server

• In a nutshell, you can license games by logging in to the Synthesis VR Web Terminal, navigating to Administration -> Games, Categories, and Licenses -> Content Store
• Games that require a Game Server will notify you of this requirement

• For a more complete guide on licensing games, click here.

Step 2: Install That Game On The Game Server

• Instructions on how to install content can be found here: https://synthesisvr.com/knowledge-base/licensing-games/

Step 3: Assign The Game To The Game Server

Hold on! You are not finished yet. In order for Synthesis VR to utilize the Game Server for a given game, you must “assign” that game to the game server.

Method A – Using The Web Terminal To Assign Games To The Game Server

• Login to the Synthesis Web Terminal : https://my.synthesisvr.com
• Navigate to the Administration page.
• Click on “Devices”
• Locate the Game Server Device
• On the right, select the edit button (pencil icon)
• Locate the “Dedicated Server Games” Section
• Add the game to the list

Method B – Using The Local Manager Application To Assign Games To The Game Server

• Open the Local Manger App
• Locate your Game Server
• Click on the settings gear

• Click on “Content and Apps”
• You can assign and unassign the games requiring a game server from here.

The post Game Server Automation – Set Up A Dedicated Multiplayer Game Server Computer appeared first on Synthesis VR.

• If you have multiple games requiring a dedicated server, you have to manually start/stop the server instance, making it a bit harsh to manage when you are full.
• If the game is delivered through the SynthesisVR CDN — you are not able to install it on the server PC.
• If the game is delivered through any other channel — you’ll be billed for a game instance that doesn’t reflect an actual gameplay.

The “Standalone Game Server” module is specifically designed to address all the 4 issues listed above:

• It monitors the games and automatically start the game instance when you need it.
• It provides access to the SynthesisVR CDN
• No commercial usage is billed on a PC running this module
• VR READY PC with External Graphics Required

SETUP GUIDE:

1. Install the regular SynthesisVR desktop app (also called: Access Point).
The minimum required Access Point version is 3.15.5 . If you are running an older version, please update all your VR stations + the VR Server Mode

2.  Subscribe your server PC or Dedicated Gaming Server PC to the “Standalone Game Server” module. To do that, go to “Administration >> Arcade Setup >> Billing >> Add”. Select the “Standalone Game Server” module by clicking on it and make sure ONLY the server PC is selected on the right. Example:

3. In the Access Point app running on your game server, click Refresh and you’ll get the “Content Events” button. Go ahead and install the games you need on this PC.

4. Navigate to “Administration >> Arcade Setup >> Devices” and “Edit” your “GAME SERVER PC”. Here, you have to assign the games that will be served by the module:

4.1. Verify the game server have an experience type that doesn’t have any business hours rules. You can use the “Maintenance” experience type for this.
Despite not mandatory, this will help you from accidentally adding the PC as part of a VR session. You should not do that.

5. Once done, click again on the “Refresh” button on the game server pc.

At that point, you are done with the initial setup.

USAGE GUIDE:

As mention above – the game server PC shouldn’t be included with any session. When necessary, the server instance will start the game automatically. With other words – if you are running a session requiring 4 VR stations + the server instance, you will start a session where only the 4 VR stations are selected. Once setup, you are not supposed to think if a game requires a dedicated server or not. Let Synthesis handle it. Still, if you have multiple areas that runs that sort of experiences, you may need multiple game server PCs to be able to utilize all the areas at the same time. This is a requirement that, due to obvious reasons also exist even without SynthesisVR.

For questions, comments or feedback, please shoot us an email: info@synthesisvr.com

The post Synthesis VR Modules – Standalone Game Server appeared first on Synthesis VR.