Can't see servers....

I got the same problem tonight.
Can't see any server, not just PG4, TG2,4.
No idea.

something must be up. i can't see servers listed today either. i also can't join via IP addresses.

Something must be up with multiplayer.

Server list is empty for me too, but direct IP works fine. Mb they have shutdown the main server...

Same problem here. Let's hope serverlist is soon back and running...

And I hope it's not the product switch. Gaming companies can do that for their product's online activity. BI did it few times for ArmA 2 servers maintenance. It better be a maintenance from GameSpy rather than a switch, as it can be a permanent one because of piracy abuse or even outdated title.

Please post updates when you see the list back on.

[18:54] ITS|Darker: Gamespy server down
[18:55] ITS|Darker: forever
[18:55] ITS|Darker: no more master server list for swat 4
[18:55] ITS|Darker: spread the word
[18:55] ITS|Darker: vanilla and TSS

This is what I'm hearing from people. Gamespy has shut the door.

I think only the non-pw servers can be joined by IP only, but have to confirm this.

I also found this information:

In SwatGuiState.ini, set:
bLan=True (this is not confirmed and seems that some think it should be False)

In Swat4(X)DedicatedServer.ini set:
ServerQueryListenPort=[gameserverport] + 1

For example a server with port 10480 would set their query listen port to 10481.

I don't know if this will help, but it seems you can join games via xfire.

Further information here: http://forum.markmods.com/index.php?topic=2860.0

Why would GameSpy do it to just S4 TSS? I noticed S4 1.0 servers are still listed.

Anyway, if things don't get back to normal, gametracker keeps track of the servers still, it is now perhaps a good timing to use one of my tips from here http://www.sasclan.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=10922 and maybe actually build a list of servers that would be edited by clans and shared for their members on forums.

I already use this and it's a lot more helpful when info comes to play. As for server joining, Xfire solves this one as well.

The Regiment is an older and far less popular game, and yet GS still works for it without problems, why would it stop for S4, I have no clue, go figure.

Regiment is actually newer than S4

@Maven: can't confirm it, but I heard that vanilla S4 server list (without TSS) is now down also.

Also it looks like servers are not reachable via direct IP (or any tool) if they restart and are not able to connect the master server. MarksMod is working on a solution for this trouble, setting the servers to lan mode.

There is an online petition to convince GameSpy Tech to keep on running the master server. Probably it won't be enough to convince them, but it could be a start to negotiate about the payment of the master server by the swat community.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/763/596/899/help-swat-live/
(hope you don't consider this link as advertising)

Raptor, try this - http://www.gametracker.com/search/swat4/?sort=c_numplayers&order=DESC

It appears that the v1.0 is down too. I signed up on the petition but doubt that would help.

Whoever is franchise holder should take a closer look at this issue seriously, it doesn't only harm the actual fans but the whole franchise as well, there are actually many who would play Swat 5. In fact, Swat 4 popularity grew in past months, maybe developers got afraid the franchise would come to life.

The worst part of this list downtime may not be the fact servers can't be listed, but that new players will maybe never discover the best servers around now.

Games like COD 6 and onward destroyed the FPS gaming industry the way we knew it

It can't be so hard to add a co-op/tactical mode to each of those games and keep the both noobs who want easy action and people with actual tactical nature around, it's a win win. MOH Warfighter demoed something interesting, a blend between tactical and rambo, but if they separated the two and made them better it would be a winner title, too bad they didn't.

This is not just specific to swat 4, allegedly a bunch of other games have been affected too, according to this:

http://www.ign.com/boards/threads/gamespy-problem-master-servers-dont-work.452700240/

We have an error which doesn't let players to join online multiplayer:

The error is present since 12/13 hours ago and games like Empire Earth II, Empire Earth II Art of Supremacy, Empire Earth III, Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers have this error which is presented by an advice like: "C
annot connect to Master server"...

I'm not the only one who has this problem, because all my friends got it.

So, it may just be one huge glitch with their master server, or horror of horrors, they've shutdown support for a ton of old games. I'm hoping it's the former.

Got the following tweet from GameRanger @hjorslev In the meantime, lots of players are already using GameRanger for SWAT 4 and SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate. Hope this helps you.

I'm on my cell so can't check it out..

Many members here use Xfire, thus a simple suggestion to get a serverlist you can join in directly - In your Xfire server browser, find your game (TSS for example) double click to expand and boom, you get all servers listed, if you want just co op ones then tune the filters and it will display them, add servers to favorites as well. It's a hassle free solution, the only bad part is that Xfire kinda sucks, crashes often and lags games.

Yesterday I saw 33 pinged servers, and 1 being with players (co op filter)

The worst part of this list downtime may not be the fact servers can't be listed, but that new players will maybe never discover the best servers around now.

This worries me most If it's not a temporarily problem and the mainserver is shut down forever, this will be devastating and maybe kill Swat in the long run. Let's hope it's only a temporarily matter.

I can't find gwme mode filter in xfire. Where is it?

I can't find gwme mode filter in xfire. Where is it?

By default, Xfire detects what games you have installed and uses that info to find servers, if you don't have your S4 TSS detected, go into Options, find Swat 4 TSS and add it manually, and then in the main interface, browse tabs, the one with servers has a section (bottom of that page) double click to open, it should display games that Xfire detected, double click to expand that and it should list servers for that game. From there, you can select a server and use Join button to join it directly.

Last time I checked, for TSS there were 45 servers up.

I see the servers. How do I only see the co-op ones?

I see the servers. How do I only see the co-op ones?

Click the little arrow in the center right edge of the X-fire window.
The filters window will open.
Write "co-op" in "game Type".

Sorry for my bad english.

I suggest to follow this:
http://forum.markmods.com/index.php?topic=2860.0

I suggest to follow this:
http://forum.markmods.com/index.php?topic=2860.0

I've read the thread, seems like many people are trying to come up with a solution, Markie is working on his own server browser (A thing I was thinking about myself, but don't want to get involved with reverse engineering)

He seems to be having problems with server and clientside security checks, a thing I bypassed without illegal actions for the sound patch I want to make.

It might come in handy to him, since I am not on his forum can someone get him to join this thread or get his xfire?

Random, do what Slim said, you will have to experiment with the filter though for best results, I use CO OP

Alternative swat 4 browser: http://www.dexus5.com/system3/

Below is the form to contact gamespy when having technical problems:

--> http://www.poweredbygamespy.com/about/#cformsform

I wrote them - you should do that, too.

"Hello Gamespy-team,

the SWAT community is in a great mess since some days due to shutting down the mainserverlist. It's not only SWAT which is concerned. What is the reason? Do you wanna kill old but still amazing games?

Our clan is based on Ravenshield and SWAT4TSS and it exists for more than 10 continuous years now. We play those games daily. In terms of clan-business the serverlist is vital: No Swat server list, no new players, no recruitment and individual training.

Out of thousands of games SWAT4TSS still marks a TOP50 position (right now 42) on xfire since years --> http://beta.xfire.com/games/swat4

Don't tell me all these old games aren't played anymore.

It's still your choice, but when reading your text at the contact-form - how great you are and what you all provide for the game community, then please reconsider your decission!

Maybe you wanna take a look at this topic here about the mainserverlist shutdown to get feedback first hand: --> http://www.sasclan.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=11028

Awaiting your answer by eMail or in the above topic. Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
SAS_DUKE

22nd EVR Elite Virtual Regiment"
http://www.sasclan.org

I would also try e-mailing devsupport@gamespy.com, if this page is anything to go by:

http://gstadmin.gamespy.net/masterserver/?gamename=scourgepc&fields=

Not seeing your server listed?
Your firewall may be blocking out vital ports used by both the master server backend and your game. Outgoing traffic on ports 28900 (TCP) and 27900 (UDP) needs to be enabled to list servers and send heartbeat updates to the master server respectively. Incoming traffic (most commonly blocked by firewalls) must allow unsolicited UDP traffic on the query port that your game uses. The exact port can vary, the Peer SDK defaults to 6500 e.g..

GameSpy Arcade uses additional ports for other purposes. The consumer firewall support page has a more detailed list.

devsupport@gamespy.com can help you with further problems.

Duke, that's a nice and shall I say personal message. You've said a lot but I am afraid that public contact forms and personal messages just wont fit it. Big companies tend to implement filters that rate emails for their professionalism in order to weed out spam, sadly, these filters sometimes overshadow some good messages. Though I do hope you get a response back as you surely deserve one.

Anyway, if you guys are interested, I can use my professional connections to reach out to Gamespy directly and get a statement from them. I've already contacted many big companies with success, doing so for Gamespy should prove hassle-free as well but it ain't an everyday thing so just make sure that if you would like me to contact them you stand firm behind your decision.

I believe that the whole community SWAT should try to solve the problem together instead of working all alone.
Maybe it's a utopia, I know.
But (for example) if Markmods and Dexus work together probably the solution would be much more effective.
Unfortunately we have to believe in people who love this game, we can no longer believe in people who earn money with this game.
I believe it, because this game is still very popular in MP.

As always... sorry for my bad english.

Nice messge there Duke. But you are not the only one waiting for a response from GameSpy.

And I'm afraid they don't really care about players. But as company they care about money for sure. So Maven if you can contact them in a direct way, you should tell them that here is a huge community. And that this community might be able to pay for the master server if they get a chance to do so. From an economical point of view it's pretty stupid to demand money just from the original developer/publisher and ignore thousands of players, some of them already paying money for their own gameserver.

Nice messge there Duke. But you are not the only one waiting for a response from GameSpy.

And I'm afraid they don't really care about players. But as company they care about money for sure. So Maven if you can contact them in a direct way, you should tell them that here is a huge community. And that this community might be able to pay for the master server if they get a chance to do so. From an economical point of view it's pretty stupid to demand money just from the original developer/publisher and ignore thousands of players, some of them already paying money for their own gameserver.

I will 1st see if I can find some information on the issue and then according to that think of contacting GameSpy, either way I will let you guys know if I do contact them.

While the routes being taken right now to resolve this problem are beneficial to the existing community due to the detachment of SWAT 4 from the now shady and unreliable GameSpy in regards to the server list, we still need to take the significant hit on the newcomer flow into consideration.

Hence why I am putting this alternative up for discussion: the community could get SWAT 4: TSS "picked up" by either Steam or GOG for digital distribution. This would most certainly get the master server back to life, get new players into the game, and make SWAT 4 available as a digital download.

I personally side with it being picked up by GOG since Steam gives me the heebie jeebies (they're surely not a bad way to go, but I still have my doubts with the app's intrusiveness on my games). That and they already picked up SWAT 3 for distribution, though they did so a while ago, but it's there, nonetheless.

I look forward to your opinions on this alternative.

Sounds reasonable, not sure I see the exact correlation seeing as SWAT 4 has not been available for digital download for a quite a while even before the server list went down, and people will continue to download the game through other means. Server list or not though, it is a good idea to try and get both Steam and GOG to pick up the game, as the key is to connect new players to the original community.