dedicated servers from PC gamers. This is not the case for Shattered Horizon. On December 4th, 2009 Futuremark Games Studio finally allows for a dedicated server for Shattered Horizon, a multiplayer first-person shooter played in zero gravity. At least PC gamers will be able to choose how they want to play Shattered Horizon and who they want to play with. Players will be getting greater protection from cheats, hackers and griefers.

Jaakko Haapasalo, producer of Shatter Horizon released this comment, “PC gamers expect dedicated servers in a multiplayer game. We have been working closely with selected hosting partners to ensure that the Shattered Horizon dedicated server includes the features that are most important to our community.”

Here are the features for the dedicated servers for Shattered Horizon:

• GUI for creating custom level rotations, game settings and player limits.
• Custom server name, graphic and information URL.
• Optional password protection for private matches.
• Remote admin console accessible within Shattered Horizon game client.
• Configurable auto-team balancing.
• Configurable auto-kick / ban for team-killers and high-ping connections.
• Built-in anti-cheat detection with configurable auto-kick / ban.
• Admin manual kick / ban.
• Support for VAC.
• Registered servers can submit player stats and achievements to the official leaderboards (registration is optional and free).
• LAN game support.
• Supported operating systems: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008. Note, DirectX 10 is not required for running a Shattered Horizon server. 

Along with the dedicated server announcement, Shattered Horizon also released an update for the game and here are the details for that:

• HUD: Ammo count is no longer shown in scoped mode when running silent.
• HUD: Ammo count is no longer shown in scoped mode when running silent.
• HUD: When a player tries to capture a control point that is blocked by an enemy player the word "Blocked" will appear on the HUD.
• HUD: Chat is now enabled during silent running or while EMPed.
• Network protocol updated to support new server features.
• Added console for remote server control.
• Added "rules" section to in-game server browser, so players can choose servers with or without friendly fire or team auto-balancing for example.
• Server disconnect messages now include more information about the reason for disconnection for example, kicked for cheating, team-killing or high ping.
• Bug fix: Improved error handling during start-up logo videos.

Shattered Horizon is available now via Steam for $19.99 or you can purchase the game at http://www.shatteredhorizon.com/buynow for $19.95