Game Servers

[richard2233]

Alright guys!
First post on this site, just wanted to know your opinion on a game server in the school.

Basically I have the idea of creating a games club within our LAN, the reason for this is the kids play flash games at breaks and lunch times anyway. There are far too many flash game sites to block and our filtering isn't great. So the computers are taking a hit, the idea was to create a games club, get the kids to pay like a £1 a month, then it goes towards the cost of replacing keyboards mice etc.

So the question is, does anyone out there already have something similar in place? and if so what games do you run? Violent games a good idea?

[Gibbo]

I've been trialling the old classic AGE OF EMPIRES. Plays great!

[nephilim]

violent games in a school? BIG NO

Unless the children reach the age limit for games (such as Americas Army which is free - aged 13 if I am not mistaken) then they cannot play them legally in the school establishment. Also playing LAN games in the school environment requires you to go out and ask the companies who have made the games if it is ok to do so as sometimes to host a LAN server you will need a licence for it.

[richard2233]

The thought was to get written permission from the parents, so providing the reached the age limits, and the parents had signed an AUP (acceptable use policy) then it would cover the our backs.

Was also thinking along the lines of open source games to run on the LAN, that is if anyone knows of any that they currently have in use. I dont mind asking the companies for permission.

[bossman]

@richard2233:

It is not your remit to entertain the kids albeit for the good of the school.
As has already been posted on here about a case in question which has gone down the disciplinary route for one of our colleagues as a parent did not like what he was doing.

I know it sounds on paper a good idea it will turn sour believe me as teachers do not like the fact of a support worker gaining any credit for good ideas and will no doubt raise suspicions amongst them and parents.

[richard2233]

Well you see to run something like this in our school as a few advantages:
1. I would get free lunch for basically doing very little.
2. with the tight budget this year, the extra dosh would go towards our dept for new kit and further training courses.
3. I get free lunch
4. It gets right up teachers noses if I am getting credit for running something sucessful.

[bossman]

@richard2233:

Then in that case I would only answer "Beware" and wish you good luck with the venture.

Sincerely Bossman

[dgsmith]

Well you see to run something like this in our school as a few advantages:
1. I would get free lunch for basically doing very little.
..
3. I get free lunch

Do you think they would notice if you go back for a 2nd course?

We ran paintball last year but had no time this year - maybe next year!

[tom_newton]

Would certainly suggest looking at "educational" games, and open source stuff.
These aims do collide once in a while - FreeCol - Home for example.

The Linux Game Tome is Linux games, but many of the better ones have Windows ports and are open source. This would bypass all licencing issues you would certainly have with commercial games.

Unfortunately most fun, accessible games are based on "killing" other players :-/

Edit: if you are having trouble blocking online games... come talk to us

[richard2233]

Do you think they would notice if you go back for a 2nd course?

We ran paintball last year but had no time this year - maybe next year!

Na, if you go half way through its different staff serving so free second lunch!

[richard2233]

Edit: if you are having trouble blocking online games... come talk to us

Why do you have a free option?

[CyberDrac]

ModDB has several Open Source or Freeware games listed such as ...

Warsow
AlienArena
World of Padman

All of the above are FPS games with a certain comedy element (especially WoP)

[TronXP]

OpenArena is good fun

List of Open Source Games

[OutToLunch]

Why do you have a free option?

Smoothwall Express...

[Arcath]

I reccomend Steam Games, any that use SRCDS (L4D,TF2,CSS etc...) are very easy to setup for free on a linux box (Server), as for clients you can buy a cyber cafe lisence so you are able to provide clients.

Never done it in a school (or got a cyber cafe license before) but i run an internet server aswell as one for lan parties and never have any problems with them