RIZZASTERClient Versions and Mod Pack Incident Review
/archive/skins/kits/ · last edited 06 Jun 2022 · Moderation
On April 3rd, several players reported connection issues and crashes upon joining the server. Initial investigation showed a mismatch between the server’s expected client version and what players were using. The root cause was that a recent update to the mod pack had introduced a new dependency that required a specific client version not widely known among the user base. Some players had updated their client but not the mod pack, while others had the correct mod pack but an outdated client, causing desync and crashes.
The incident was exacerbated by lack of clear communication. While the mod pack update was posted on the server’s Discord, it was buried in a channel labeled "announcements" and not flagged as urgent. Several younger players missed the update notice due to notification fatigue or not checking the channel regularly. Additionally, the server’s login screen did not display the required client version, leaving players unaware until they encountered the crash.
Following the incident, the team updated the server’s login screen to display the required client version prominently. A simple version check was added that blocks connection attempts with outdated clients and shows a clear message directing users to download the correct version. The mod pack’s release notes were rewritten to include a bolded warning about the required client version and step-by-step instructions for updating. These changes were tested with a small group of players before full rollout.
The team also created a pinned post in the Discord server with a direct link to the updated client and mod pack, and scheduled weekly reminder messages during peak hours to help reinforce the update. These changes have reduced connection errors by over 90% since implementation. Future updates will require a pre-release test with a diverse group of players to catch similar issues early.