Just as I say, when loaded from a linux server, this error is thrown.

Error ServerMultiplayerManager.cpp:92: MultiplayerManager failed: "The mod Biter Factions caused a non-recoverable error.

Error while running event biter_factions::on_init()
Force already exists
stack traceback:
biter_factions/control.lua:19: in function 'createForces'
biter_factions/control.lua:11: in function <biter_factions/control.lua:9>
stack traceback:
[C]: in function 'create_force'
biter_factions/control.lua:19: in function 'createForces'
biter_factions/control.lua:11: in function <biter_factions/control.lua:9>
33.810 Info ServerMultiplayerManager.cpp:776: updateTick(4294967295) changing state from(CreatingGame) to(InitializationFailed)

Weird.. that's a new one. I'll have to add some extra checks for pre-exisiting forces of that name. That must be a new error, this hasn't been a problem before

was this started as a new map, or loaded by the server and init/started somewhere else?