Web Host Simulator

Update Notes

• [p] Added vServer[/p]
  • [p]Added vServer.whs website for VPS management[/p]
  • [p]Added VPS for package type on ControlHost.whs[/p]
  • [p]Added order generator for VPS[/p]
• [p]Added height mode and zoom mode to improve player interaction with objects[/p]
• [p]Temporarily removed ServerOverflow.whs[/p]
• [p]Minor bug fixes and improvements[/p]

[p]Supporters will continue to receive exclusive early access to future versions, gaining hands-on experience before anyone else, helping to shape the game’s evolution, name in supporter page in the new website, rewards and access to exclusive Discord channels.[/p][p]New supporters have until June 30 to join and secure lifetime early access privileges. After that, entry will be closed until the public launch. Don't miss your chance to be part of Web Host Simulator's foundation and help the game development![/p][p]Become a supporter now: [/p][p]https://ko-fi.com/WebHostSimulator[/p]

What started as a simple idea (to recreate the experience of building your own hosting company from scratch) has grown into a living, breathing project shaped by passion, hard work, and the incredible support of this community.
Over the next two months, I’ll be fully focused on bringing even more depth and polish to the game: refining every cable you connect, every server you build, every customer you manage. Every piece of Web Host Simulator is being crafted with care to capture the spirit of entrepreneurship, curiosity, and persistence that inspired this journey.
Thank you for being part of this dream. The world of Web Host Simulator is just getting started and I can’t wait to see the amazing stories you’ll create within it!
- Will Medeiros, Founder and Developer of Chibum Ltd.

Supporters will continue to receive exclusive early access to future versions, gaining hands-on experience before anyone else, helping to shape the game’s evolution, name in supporter page in the new website, rewards and access to exclusive Discord channels.

New supporters have until June 11 to join and secure lifetime early access privileges. After that, entry will be closed until the public launch. Don't miss your chance to be part of Web Host Simulator's foundation and help the game development!

Become a supporter now: https://ko-fi.com/WebHostSimulator

• Create your player profile and choose your starting city
  
• Explore locations with an isometric map
  
• First playable environments:
  - Small Apartment #1
  - Small Datacenter #1
  
• Compete against AI-controlled companies
  
• Career mode with progression based on money, reputation, and reliability
  
• Tutorials to guide you through the basics
  
• Products available for sale:
  - Dedicated Servers
  - VPS
  - Hosting Reseller
  
• Install racks, equipment, cabling, and assemble server hardware
  
• Unique operating systems for server and network management:
  - FlockOS (graphical interface)
  - FlockCMD and SwitchCMD (command-line interfaces)
  
• Financial system with integrated internet banking
  
• Basic network with latency simulation and internet setup
  
• Basic website editor
  
• Random cyberattack events and basic protection systems
  
• Access to immersive in-game websites:
  - ServerOverflow.whs: Community Q&A platform
  - ShopIT.whs: Store for datacenter equipment
  - Register.whs: Domain registration and management
  - DCControl.whs: Server and network management
  - ControlHost.whs: Client, plan, and website management
  - Uplink providers: Lumix, Firezon, and AG&G
  

• Multiplayer mode (PvP and co-op)
  
• Datacenter cooling management (hot/cold aisles and HVAC systems)
  
• Customizable server room lighting
  
• Performance improvements and optimizations
  

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a bug where the website would receive visits even if it was offline
  
• Fixed a bug where domains with uppercase letters were not converted to lowercase before checking availability in register.whs
  
• DirectX 12 support removed
  
• Fixed some UI bugs in the ShopIT.whs cart and checkout that prevented you from seeing the total purchase amount, scrolling the page and incorrectly positioned button
  
• Fixed a bug where it was not possible to install cables and adapters due to an undefined floating distance range
  
• Fixed a bug where old saves could block the creation of a new save
  
• Fixed a bug where it was allowed to install a cable from a rear port of one device to a front port of another device
  

New Features and Improvements

• Data Models:
  - Customers: Tracks happiness, datacenter location preferences, SLA, average delivery time, and event logs.
  - Orders: Includes company reputation, recurrence types, assigned staff, and event logs.
  - Websites: Maintains hourly logs of visits and customer conversions.
  - Packages: Features setup fees, stock quantities, delivery times, discounts for recurring orders, and options for unmetered/metered traffic and CIDR selection.
  
• Dataset Updates:
  - Added 5,000 customers from the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, with latitude/longitude for latency simulation.
  
• Gameplay Enhancements:
  - Time scale adjusted from 72 minutes to 24 minutes per in-game day.
  - Initial in-game date set to January 1, 2024.
  - Unity engine upgraded to version 6.
  - Improved form formatting and validation system.
  - Redesigned UI for order delivery with countdown, details, and checklist.
  
• Simulation Mechanics:
  - New algorithm to simulate visitor traffic and customer conversions using company reputation, marketing quality, and website performance.
  
• Order and Contract System:
  - Finished contract generator with recurring billing and cancellation handling.
  - Reworked order listing to prioritize expiration timers.
  - Enhanced order delivery system with countdown timers and delivery details.
  
• Rack Placement Improvements:
  - Removed gaps between racks.
  - Added automatic alignment when racks are placed near walls.
  
• Server Management:
  - Domains registered by players are now accessible via in-game browser if DNS zones and server software are configured.
  - Additional error types when accessing misconfigured domains.
  - Fixed bugs related to server software persistence on save reload.
  
• Package Management Updates:
  - Redesigned package creation and editing forms with new fields.
  - Fixed issues with unlimited stock configuration.
  
• UI and Accessibility:
  - Improved text contrast in website publishing checklists.
  - Asynchronous UI layout rebuilding for better performance.
  - Notifications added for successful saves on DNS and company data pages.
  

Bug Fixes

• Fixed incorrect network cable removal blocking in the network system.
  
• Corrected issues with misplaced cable connectors during installation animations.
  
• Addressed bugs in website publishing logic when modifying checklist items before publishing.
  
• Fixed save-related errors causing duplicated inventory creation.
  
• Fixed errors in hostname command visibility within FlockCMD help.
  
• Resolved bugs in package and order display logic.
  

Quality of Life Updates

• Removed serial numbers displayed on device fronts; added them to the focus text instead.
  
• Removed redundant mission entries for order delivery, unifying it in ControlHost.whs.
  

• Added the website ServerOverflow.whs;
  
• Added an enterable quantity field in the ShopIT cart;
  
• Reworked the website loading logic in the FlyBird browser, significantly reducing the UI construction recalculation time when loading pages;
  
• Fixed a bug where a removed HDD would not be unlinked from the equipment;
  
• Resolved an issue where the "clear" command rendered FlockCMD and SwitchCMD unusable;
  
• Corrected a display bug where 16GB RAM was shown as 8GB on the assembly table;
  
• Fixed a bug where the server room reflection probe was not updated when the quality setting was low or medium;
  
• Addressed an issue where the correct and incorrect icon was not displayed when installing a cable in the rear ports of the Patch Panel.
  

Changelog

• Fixed the text display on the doors;
  
• Fixed the view distance of the cable bays;
  
• Fixed shadow flickering in the server room;
  
• Fixed a bug where a package was installed but the mission was not completed if FlockCMD was closed before the download was finished;
  
• Fixed the bug where the console of a disconnected equipment could continue receiving new commands;
  
• Fixed a bug where the player continued typing in FlockCMD even after stopping using the computer.
  

Full changelog

• Fixed a bug where the reflection of the server room was broken when exiting and entering the server room with the main light on
  
• Fixed a bug where the player's movement was blocked by the cable connector being held;
  
• The notification will not be created if the content is the same as the notification currently being displayed to prevent multiple identical notifications from appearing in sequence;
  
• Fixed a bug where the 3D model of the ZMD River processor was displayed as ZMD Ocean;
  
• Fixed a bug where some non-customizable items in the inventory would open the item selection screen by identifier;
  
• Fixed the collision scale of doors, which could hinder the player's movement in some cases;
  
• Fixed "Reset position" button;
  
• Fixed a bug where equipment, when removed from the server room, was not removed from the network;
  
• Fixed a bug where the LEDs of an Ethernet port remained green even after the cable was removed;
  
• Fixed the position of the rear anchor of the ethernet cable;
  
• Fixed the bug where some cables were not removed when removing equipment from a rack.
  

Full changelog

• Completely reworked the slot system to use fewer colliders (reduced from 42 colliders to 1 collider per rack) to accept racks and equipment of different sizes and to make the installation more immersive. To remove an object from a slot, you need to hold the right mouse button;
  
• Reworked the door models;
  
• Reworked the cable bay models in the server room;
  
• Optimized global illumination for better performance when active;
  
• Optimized the cable system for better performance and more appropriate visuals;
  
• Removed the operation mode switch (mount/normal);
  
• Removed the exit computer button, now to exit the computer you must hold the right mouse button;
  
• Reworked the player interaction system with an interactive area indicator around the crosshair and holding the right mouse button when available;
  
• Inventory moved to the TAB key;
  
• Minor fixes and improvements.
  

• 63 character limit to domain name in register.whs
  

• Equipment and cable installation movement was slow with vsync enabled
  
• First time purchasing an uplink plan did not work
  
• Display of long domains in dns zone management in register.whs
  
• Not creating a type A DNS zone for the domain did not block website publication
  
• Old saves could prevent create a new save
  
• Only one customer order was generated
  
• Changed the unavailable slot message to be more understandable
  
• Connecting an ethernet cable from a server to a switch with more than one uplink cable could cause memory leaks and crashes
  
• Private network was not created when the server was connected to the network switch before being connected to the edge router