Can dedicated servers host custom maps?

**Deihmos** · October 22nd, 2007 11:23 AM

If I host a dedicated server with custom maps only the players with Gold account can download the maps? Is that how the service works? If so that really really sucks.

**Deihmos** · October 22nd, 2007 12:50 PM

Ok I found the answer. Only gold memebers can download the maps from the server. That has to be the dumbest thing ever. So that is why there are no servers hosting custom maps.

**Vicky** · October 22nd, 2007 03:00 PM

I don't think that's true, not sure though maybe i was still on gold. Can't test now. Anywho, the main reason (for me that is) i don't host custom maps is because everyone that joins the server without having the map will start downloading it from the server (when server is in lobby). And for some players it takes too long so they leave, others come in and start downloaden etc.etc. It takes ages like that for a custom map game to start.
If you would want to play with a couple of friends you can put them in your vip list and put the server on vip-only, that's a way to have some fun on (or test) a custom map.
I've seen you post on the 'official' forum with the same question, there's no way to make gametypes with the game, you gotta edit.

**Deihmos** · October 22nd, 2007 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by KIWIDOGGIE

I dont think that is true either, I have had many of my friends want to play with us but they have silver; so I host my server as a non "Gold Only" server and run the custom map.

Yes but your friends already have the maps. It's a Gold only feature to download maps from the server so if someone does not have the map they cannot play on the server unless they have a Gold account. I just tested it and that is how it is.

Microsoft really messed up this game really bad with all these restrictions. On the Xbox it works well because it's either you have Gold or you cannot play online but that wouldn't work on the PC. The Live service can be really good but they need to get rid of the restrictions and just make it ad supported like Xfire. The Gold feature should only be for cross platform play and nothing else because all these restrictions are just hurting the user more than anything. The third Live enabled game will be out in a few weeks Gears of War. It will be interesting to see what they do with that game.

Since Live is now on Windows XP there shouldn't be any reason why Halo 2 wouldn't work on Xp so they need to open the game up to more players because the community is piss poor.