First off, I know what dedicated servers are, that's not what I'm asking. I recently read an article about some sort of server that can be downloaded from steam for Brink, my question is will I be able to join random people's servers, or will I need an IP address or something? Also, if I buy the game for the PC, but not through steam, but I still have a steam account, will I be able to create and join servers?

Basically, how are the dedicated servers on Brink going to work? Are they going to be like the old PC Unreal tourny games, where you simply have a long list of available games on the server and the player picks which one to join? Or am I missing something?

Thank you.

edit: Also, as a side note, do you think the week earlier release date is truthfully because "production wrapped up earlier than expected"? Or do you think Bethesda rushed splash damage? Bethesda isn't known for rushing games... but since they're just the publisher of Brink and not the game designers per se I worry they may pull an EA and release a game before it's finished.

It will be the standard server browser you will choose whatever server you want to join. Steam server I think your referring to is the server files that will be released prior for people who will be renting servers.

I believe they pushed up the release date until may from January release and they just finished it earlier I really don't think it was rushed.

you can't say it was rushed when you watch developer vids and it says 2010 release date on it , the games done i highly doubt thell be any BIG problems if any problems at all im afraid i dont know much about the servers for pc all i know is there releasein te tools to make your own dedicated servers on may 9th w/e that means :hubbahubba:

http://www.splashdamage.com/content/brink-dedicated-server-faq-here

Official FAQ tells you nothing relevant to the OP's question. But it's almost certainly going to fit the standard rules for such things, so here goes...

If you create a dedicated server, then that server can be set up however the creator wants - if the admin sets it invite-only, you'll need permission to join the game, if they don't, you'll be able to join just like any other match.

Linux Dedi binaries please! Some of us do run linux boxes for our stuff (since the days of wolf/ET throughout COD5 WW)

Presumably there's also an option to merely password a server, as well as making a game invite-only.

Brink is a Steamworks game, so no matter where you buy the game you'll be playing through Steam. It all goes to the same place, so to speak, so you don't need to worry about joining games; you'll be able to join every (non-passworded) server that is available on the PC, no matter where you bought your game from.

Everyone else has pretty much covered the servers question; it should be a server list like in most multiplayer games.

As to the earlier release date, no, don't worry about it. A week can hardly be considered a 'rush.' The game is ready, I'm sure. As someone else mentioned, the release date was already pushed back a few times, so I think they're on the level as to why they're releasing it early. And they have my thanks for that, I can't wait!