How to Host an OpenArena Server (0.8.8 Dedicated Server Guide)

To host an OpenArena server, download OpenArena 0.8.8 from openarena.ws, start the dedicated server binary with oa_ded +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 27960 +exec server.cfg +map aggressor, and forward UDP port 27960 to the machine. dedicated 2 lists the server on the public master server; dedicated 1 keeps it unlisted for friends who connect by address. Your name, game mode, limits, bots and map rotation all go in server.cfg in the baseoa folder.

OpenArena in 2026, honestly

OpenArena is the free, open source arena shooter built on the GPL release of the Quake III engine. Rocket jumps, railgun, item timing, short loud matches. Version 0.8.8 is the final release and came out many years ago, so this is not a game with a busy public scene. What it does have is a small loyal community, a tiny server footprint, and the fact that it is free and runs on almost anything, which makes it perfect for a group of friends or an old clan having LAN style nights online.

That is the case for running your own server: it is the arena your group can count on, rather than hoping the public list has someone on it.

What you need

Memory is almost a non issue. An idTech3 server runs in a fraction of a gigabyte. 1 GB covers a duel or small deathmatch server, 2 GB a busy 16 slot CTF server with bots.

Step 1: Install

Download OpenArena 0.8.8 from openarena.ws and unpack it on the server. The package contains a baseoa folder with the game data, and dedicated server binaries alongside the normal game: oa_ded.exe on Windows, and oa_ded builds for Linux. The dedicated binary has no graphics, uses fewer resources, and only runs as a server.

On Linux, run the server as a normal user, never as root.

Step 2: Write server.cfg

Create server.cfg in the baseoa folder. A minimal starting point, based on the community wiki's example:

sets sv_hostname "Friday Frags | FFA"
sets sv_maxclients 12
sets sv_master1 "dpmaster.deathmask.net"
sv_pure 1
seta sv_allowdownload 1
seta g_gametype 0
seta fraglimit 30
seta timelimit 15
seta bot_minplayers 4
seta g_spskill 3
seta rconPassword "change-this"
seta g_motd "Welcome. Be nice, frag hard."

Keep sv_pure 1. It makes clients use only pk3 files the server also has, which prevents version and cheating trouble. The full explanation of these and other settings, including game modes and map rotation, is in OpenArena server.cfg explained.

Step 3: Start the server

Windows:

oa_ded.exe +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 27960 +exec server.cfg +map aggressor

Linux:

./oa_ded.x86_64 +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 27960 +exec server.cfg +map aggressor

Set dedicated on the start line. It is meant to be chosen at startup, not changed later. If you run several servers on one machine, give each its own net_port. If you start a second server without one, it moves itself to 27961, 27962 and so on.

Step 4: Open the port

Forward UDP 27960 (or your net_port) on your router to the server and allow it through the firewall. For a listed server, also allow outgoing UDP 27950, the port the master server uses, which cannot be changed. Our port forwarding guide covers routers. Some fiber and mobile connections share one public IP between customers, and then no forwarding will work; see hosting without port forwarding.

Step 5: Join and manage it

Players open Multiplayer, click Specify, enter the address and connect. Or in the console (tilde key):

\connect 203.0.113.10:27960

If the server has a password, they type \password yourpassword first.

To manage the server from inside the game, use the RCON password:

\rconpassword change-this
\rcon map oasago2
\rcon kick allbots

On the server console itself, you type commands without the slash.

Step 6: Custom maps

Custom maps come as .pk3 files. Put them in baseoa, restart, and load them with map mapname. Because the server is pure, players need the same pk3. sv_allowdownload 1 lets them download from the server, but slowly; a web host with sv_dlURL is much faster. For small groups, sharing the pk3 files before map night is easiest.

Version matters

OpenArena 0.8.8 uses a newer network protocol than 0.8.5 and older. A player on an old 0.8.x build can see version trouble or fail to join. Everyone should run 0.8.8, the final release. If the server is not showing up for players, read OpenArena server not showing in the server list.

The easy option

An OpenArena server from GamezServers is one of the cheapest servers you can run: it fits the smallest plan with room to spare. It is live within about a minute of paying, has its own address, and the boot map is a panel setting. baseoa, server.cfg and your pk3 maps are in the file manager and over SFTP, the live console takes commands like exec server.cfg and addbot, and Sleep when empty can pause it after four days with nobody on, ready to wake with one click.

FAQ

What port does an OpenArena server use?

UDP 27960 by default, set with net_port. Listed servers also need outgoing UDP 27950 for the master server.

How do I make my OpenArena server public?

Start it with +set dedicated 2 on the command line. dedicated 1 runs it unlisted.

Where does server.cfg go?

In the baseoa folder. Load it with +exec server.cfg on the start line or exec server.cfg in the console.

Is OpenArena still updated?

No. 0.8.8 is the final release, but it works well and small communities still play it.

Do players need to buy OpenArena?

No. It is free and open source, downloaded from openarena.ws.