How to Host an Urban Terror 4.3 Server (Linux and Windows)

To host an Urban Terror server, get the 4.3 game files (the official dedicated updater script on Linux, or the full game download on Windows), copy q3ut4/server_example.cfg to server.cfg and mapcycle_example.txt to mapcycle.txt, then start Quake3-UrT-Ded with +set fs_game q3ut4 +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 27960 +exec server.cfg. Forward UDP 27960 and the server registers itself with the Urban Terror master list.

Urban Terror is a 2000s Quake III engine game with a smaller player base than it once had, but the community that is left is loyal: clans still scrim, cups still run, and jump servers have their own regulars. The upside of an old engine is that the server needs almost nothing. A full server fits comfortably in 1 GB of RAM.

What you need

• A machine that stays on. Linux is the usual choice; the Windows server works the same way.
• About 2 GB of disk for the full game files plus maps.
• UDP port 27960 forwarded on your router, and a real public IP (not carrier grade NAT).
• Players need Urban Terror 4.3 from urbanterror.info. It is free and standalone, and Quake III Arena is not required.

Step 1: Download the server files

Linux. FrozenSand publishes a command line updater for dedicated servers in its UrTUpdater repository: UrTUpdater-v4.0.3-Ded.sh. Put it in an empty folder and run it:

mkdir ~/urt && cd ~/urt
bash UrTUpdater-v4.0.3-Ded.sh

It asks you to accept the license and choose a download server and version, then pulls the current 4.3 files (4.3.4 at the time of writing). Run it again later to update.

Windows. Download the full game zip from urbanterror.info and extract it. The dedicated binary ships with it, so the same folder runs both the client and the server.

Either way, you end up with a folder containing the engine binaries (Quake3-UrT-Ded.x86_64, Quake3-UrT-Ded.i386 or the Windows .exe) and a q3ut4 folder holding the game data, the maps and the configs.

Step 2: Create server.cfg and mapcycle.txt

The game ships examples instead of live configs:

cd q3ut4
cp server_example.cfg server.cfg
cp mapcycle_example.txt mapcycle.txt

server_example.cfg is long and well commented. For a first start, change only these lines:

set  sv_hostname     "^1Night Owls ^7| CTF"
set  sv_joinmessage  "Welcome, check /rules"
set  sv_maxclients   "16"
set  rconpassword    "long-random-password"
set  g_password      ""
set  g_gametype      "7"
set  timelimit       "20"
set  g_friendlyfire  "1"
map  ut4_casa

The last line, map ut4_casa, picks the first map. The file's own advice is to keep values short, because an overlong server info string can stop the server from starting. For what every other setting does, see our Urban Terror server.cfg guide.

mapcycle.txt is just map names, one per line. The example lists the stock 4.3 maps (ut4_turnpike, ut4_abbey, ut4_casa and so on). Trim it to the maps your game type suits.

Step 3: Start the server

On Linux, from the main game folder:

chmod +x Quake3-UrT-Ded.x86_64
./Quake3-UrT-Ded.x86_64 +set fs_game q3ut4 +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 27960 +set com_hunkmegs 128 +exec server.cfg

On Windows, the same arguments go after Quake3-UrT-Ded.exe in a shortcut or batch file.

Some settings can only be set at startup, which is why they go on this line and not in server.cfg. Use the 64 bit binary unless it gives you trouble; the 32 bit one is there as a fallback.

Watch the console. When the map loads and the server sits idle, it is ready. Keep it running with screen, tmux or a systemd service so it survives you logging out.

Step 4: Open UDP 27960

Urban Terror needs one port: UDP 27960 (or whatever you set as net_port). Forward it to the server's local IP and allow it through the firewall:

sudo ufw allow 27960/udp

Router steps are in our port forwarding guide. If you run a second server on the same machine, give it +set net_port 27961 and forward that too.

With dedicated 2, the server announces itself to master.urbanterror.info and master2.urbanterror.info (both are set in the example config). It can take a few minutes to appear in the in game browser.

Step 5: Add bots, maps and an admin bot (optional)

Bots. Urban Terror has bots, though FrozenSand does not officially support them. Add these to server.cfg:

set  bot_enable      1
set  bot_minplayers  4

The server then keeps the player count topped up to 4 with bots and removes them as real players join. Keep it modest; high bot counts cause lag.

Custom maps. Drop the map's .pk3 file into q3ut4, add the name to mapcycle.txt, and players with the official client download it automatically when sv_allowDownload is 1. Set sv_dlURL to your own web space for faster downloads.

Admin tools. Public servers usually run B3 (Big Brother Bot) or Spunky Bot beside the server. Both read the game log, so keep g_logsync "1" as the example config sets it.

Step 6: Join and test

1. Start Urban Terror 4.3 and press ~ for the console.
2. Type /connect 203.0.113.10:27960 with your public IP.
3. For a passworded server, type /password yourpassword first.
4. Log in to RCON with /rconpassword long-random-password and try /rcon status.

Our Urban Terror RCON commands guide covers kicks, bans, map changes and team management.

The easy option

If a box that stays on all day is the hard part, our Urban Terror server hosting does steps 1 to 4 for you. The server is live about a minute after you pay, with its own address and DDoS protection, and the hostname, join message, max players, map, game type, time limit, friendly fire, bots, RCON and server passwords, hunkmegs and 64 or 32 bit build are all fields in the control panel. server.cfg and mapcycle.txt are in the file manager for everything else, maps go up over SFTP, and the live console shows kills and chat as they happen. 1 GB covers a full server, and a clan can split the bill between up to 10 members.

FAQ

What port does an Urban Terror server use?

UDP 27960 by default. Change it with +set net_port on the launch line and forward whichever port you choose.

Do players need Quake III Arena?

No. Urban Terror 4.3 is free and standalone. Players download it from urbanterror.info.

How many players should an Urban Terror server have?

The official example config defaults to 16 and warns that more than 16 can cause lag and that most maps are not built for it. Most public servers sit between 12 and 20.

Why does my server not show in the browser?

Check that you started it with +set dedicated 2, that UDP 27960 is forwarded, and that the sv_master lines are intact. Players can always join with /connect while you sort out the listing.

What is com_hunkmegs?

The memory the engine reserves for maps and models when it starts. 128 is fine for stock maps. Raise it if a large custom map fails to load with a hunk allocation error.