Section 8 brings user-created dedicated servers to Xbox 360
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Jun 5th 2009 at 9:45PM } 
Players will be able to download an application on their PC that will allow them to turn it into a dedicated server for the game. When playing on a dedicated server -- developer TimeGate will be hosting some as well, incidentally -- Section 8 will support multiplayer matches of up to 32 players. This a significant boost over the standard 16-player offered by regular servers. Sporting some very impressive sci-fi inspired gameplay bolstered by this extra online support, Section 8 is shaping up to be quite a game. Expect it to drop (from 15,000 feet) this fall.
Gallery: Section 8 (Xbox 360, PC)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ben C @ Jun 5th 2009 9:51PM
I wonder how many people know that "Section 8" is the vernacular for federal housing assistance. Slightly less sci-fi.
The Dark Wayne @ Jun 5th 2009 10:10PM
well it's also the name for the military designation for insanity, so they probably meant that
mwrench @ Jun 6th 2009 7:18AM
I don't know why more people don't realize this! I can't hear the name of the game without thinking about it!
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jun 5th 2009 9:51PM
Screw Natal I want this to be in every xbox game.
Anticrawl @ Jun 6th 2009 1:07AM
A few games already have such support. Far Cry 2 being a more recent one, so did the first one.
Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 5th 2009 9:53PM
This game looks so sick. This is the type of game that could make pick up another 360.
Otis @ Jun 5th 2009 9:57PM
Console games.
Catching up to 1998 PC tech!
Ezio Auditore de Firenze [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 5th 2009 11:01PM
its on pc too.
JimboTJones @ Jun 6th 2009 11:00AM
@Ezio Auditore de Firenze
Otis was referring to the fact that console developers are just now allowing players to setup there own dedicated servers for games when PC gamers have been able to do it for over a decade now. I'm happy that someone is finally implementing this but it's sad that it has taken so long for it to happen.
Caveman @ Jun 5th 2009 10:06PM
This is pretty cool news. Can't wait to see how it actually plays, but I really can't wait to see how MAG will play and how the visuals will look.
CH3BURASHKA @ Jun 5th 2009 10:14PM
I'm looking forward to this, and hopefully the community is big enough for this to take off.
The Dark Wayne @ Jun 5th 2009 10:21PM
looks sweet, cant wait to plummet from the sky and land on some asshole
ugg.tryptophan @ Jun 6th 2009 1:19AM
mmm, neither can I...
Ian @ Jun 6th 2009 2:15AM
haha, i just saw this game today and it looks awesome. who doesnt want to be a huge metal guy and smash some poor guy down from 15000 feet
KingOfGods @ Jun 5th 2009 10:22PM
Rainbow six vegas lets you setup a dedicated server and you get an achievement if you get a full 16 in the room....then again, you can't play at the same time like this unless you have a second box.
I remember I had 2 seperate OG xbox. I used to run dedicated servers on the original xbox with rainbow six black arrow.
jynxycat @ Jun 6th 2009 11:13AM
Of course you can't play at the same time, hence the word, dedicated =p
Hopefully this means you can leave it running, and people can come and go as they please, not just one round and the game ends.
That or the lobby just cycles into a new round instantly, and the gameplay doesn't have constant downtime due to new players and match countdowns.
Darkhand @ Jun 5th 2009 10:47PM
And you can still enjoy paying MS their monthly fee!!!
It's a Win/Win situation!! Well for MS :)
StGermain @ Jun 6th 2009 3:58AM
Exactly my thoughts!
KingOfGods @ Jun 6th 2009 12:24PM
Monthly? Who in their right mind would pay monthly for Live? If you pay monthly its like 8 bucks a month.
you can get Live for as little as $35 for the year. Newegg.com always has them for $38.
kevin @ Jun 5th 2009 11:01PM
okay people listen up MS charges a monthly fee for it's online service,we all know this so why is it that people are still bitchin about it . if you don't wanna pay for it don't . go play psn that's free if all u want is free shit . but know this all free rides come to an end. this game looks fucking awsome .
jynxycat @ Jun 6th 2009 11:13AM
lulwut?
Ezio Auditore de Firenze [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 5th 2009 11:02PM
too bad this isn't on ps3. it looks SICK!
hatmantc @ Jun 7th 2009 5:30PM
its coming on the PS3 as well
Einhanderkiller @ Jun 5th 2009 11:23PM
Isn't there a closed beta going on right now for this game?
Ian @ Jun 6th 2009 2:15AM
i believe so, just sign up on the website
Shadsy @ Jun 5th 2009 11:32PM
If they make you subscribe for gold AND do this... that doesn't make any sense at all. You aren't using MS's servers, so what'd be the point?
Darkhand @ Jun 6th 2009 12:20AM
Because most consumers are idiots and will just be like.
OMG FINALLY 32 Player Servers!!! All thanks to X-Box live! It's not like this would be possible ANYWHERE ELSE!!!
AnnoyingPoster @ Jun 6th 2009 12:33AM
not true.
timeshift and unreal tournament 3 had dedicated server ability a long time ago
Einhanderkiller @ Jun 6th 2009 3:01AM
I believe this is significant because it's the first time consoles have had user-created dedicated servers.
hatmantc @ Jun 7th 2009 5:36PM
no WarHawk lets you do the dedicated server thing too
mocax @ Jun 6th 2009 2:12AM
ooooh..... looks like Tribes on steroids and cybernetic implants!
sure brings back memories....
hope they do a new Starsiege game.
the one where you pilot giant robots.
Dr. Gregory Holmes @ Jun 6th 2009 2:29AM
Hope that the 32 player doesn't get cut off at the end
Tann @ Jun 6th 2009 5:30AM
Has PDZ been the only game on 360 so far to actually support 32 players =S?
MystileArmor @ Jun 6th 2009 9:28AM
FarCry 2 lets you set up a dedicated server as well, so I'm confused about this statement. Alot of the comments above seem to imply that there are more games out there that lets you do this...
Travis @ Jun 6th 2009 9:55AM
Or, you could just play any PC game of the past ten years where you can host a server and play with up to 32 players.
jynxycat @ Jun 6th 2009 11:17AM
It's funny that XBL charges you for basically P2P action. Not only that, but this game (and apparently a few others) comes along and lets you pay for XBL AND a copy of the game which is used for straight hosting, so you can play online with a better experience.
If only the average consumer knew how hard their were getting it from behind from Microsoft.
Diskoboy7 @ Jun 6th 2009 1:08PM
*minor rant ahead*
Why the hell did Sega not do this with their online DC titles?
I miss playing Bomberman Online, Alien Front Online, and Ooga Booga.
I'd willingly pay cold, hard, cash to Sega, if they could let us set up our own Dreamcast game servers, through our PC's. I've got several old PC's sitting around, that I'd love to turn into Dreamcast servers.
CzAr @ Jun 6th 2009 2:45PM
Warhawk has had player created dedicated servers since launch.
There are a few other games I know that also allow you to create dedicated servers. In fact... you a get trophy for having one.
T-Bag @ Jun 6th 2009 3:16PM
This just in:
TimeGate develops first non-lag online experience on a console. Noble Peace Prize nomination is currently being discussed.
Velsar @ Jun 6th 2009 8:24PM
I play games for story... stop talking multi-crapplayer and tell me about singleplayer experiences.
Ian @ Jun 7th 2009 3:05AM
wow im torn you have cyber men, but say multi-player is crap.
Lieutenant Gunther (PSN: helghast102) @ Jun 7th 2009 6:24AM
If this game still requires and XBL gold subscription to play on another players dedicated server, thats bullshit.
AnnoyingPoster @ Jun 9th 2009 7:06PM
you're missing the point. einhanderkiller, those games are obviously on the xbox 360 console.
if i was talking about pc games that would have been a ludicrous statement as every single multiplayer pc game ever made allows for non-listen (dedicated servers) to be hosted.