Game server guides
Setup guides, fixes, mods and top lists for every game we host. Written by people who run servers all day.
How to Add Custom Maps to an Open Fortress Server
Upload custom .bsp maps to an Open Fortress server, build a mapcycle.txt, switch maps with changelevel and set up downloads so players get the map on join.
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Onset5 min readHow to Add Lua Packages to an Onset Server
Add Lua packages to an Onset server: the packages folder, package.json, the packages list in server_config.json, a test package and load errors.
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CS2D5 min readHow to Add Lua Scripts to a CS2D Server (Admin, Modes, Maps)
Install Lua scripts on a CS2D server: upload to sys/lua, load them from server.lua or autorun, set mp_luaserver, and read LUA ERROR lines when one breaks.
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Pavlov VR5 min readHow to Add mod.io Maps to a Pavlov Server (MapRotation and UGC IDs)
Add custom mod.io maps to a Pavlov VR server: find the resource ID, write MapRotation lines with UGC and a game mode, and fix maps that will not load.
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Minetest5 min readHow to Add Mods to a Luanti (Minetest) Server and Enable Them
Add mods to a Luanti server: upload to the mods folder, enable each with load_mod_ in world.mt, install dependencies and fix mods that will not load.
ReadHow to Add Resources and Scripts to a GTA Connected Server
Add a resource to a GTA Connected server: the resources folder, meta.xml with Lua, JavaScript or Squirrel scripts, the server.xml entry and live start commands.
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Quake Live5 min readHow to Add Workshop Maps to a Quake Live Server
Add Steam Workshop maps to a Quake Live dedicated server: item IDs in workshop.txt, the .bsp map name for mappool.txt, and fixing failed downloads.
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Operation: Harsh Doorstop5 min readHow to Add Workshop Mods to a Harsh Doorstop Server
Put Steam Workshop mods on an Operation: Harsh Doorstop server: find the mod folder, upload it to HarshDoorstop/Mods, and get every player on the same items.
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Post Scriptum5 min readHow to Add Workshop Mods to a Squad 44 (Post Scriptum) Server
Put Steam Workshop mods on a Squad 44 server: copy each mod folder into PostScriptum/Plugins/Mods, add the modded layers to the rotation and get players ready.
ReadHow to Auto Start a Game Server After a Reboot (Windows and Linux)
Make a home game server start by itself after Windows Update restarts, power cuts and crashes: Startup folder, Task Scheduler, NSSM and systemd examples.
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Hytale5 min readHow to Back Up and Restore a Hytale Server World
Turn on automatic Hytale server backups with --backup-dir, take one on demand with /backup, and restore the universe folder after a bad update or grief.
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RimWorld Together6 min readHow to Back Up and Update a RimWorld Together Server Safely
Back up a RimWorld Together server with BackupConfig.json and the backup command, update to a new release without losing the planet, and restore or reset.
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Barotrauma5 min readHow to Become Admin on a Barotrauma Dedicated Server
Give yourself admin on a Barotrauma dedicated server with giverank from the server console or clientpermissions.xml, plus the ranks, permissions and commands.
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No More Room in Hell5 min readHow to Become Admin on a No More Room in Hell Server
Admin a NMRiH server: use rcon and the server console, then install Metamod and SourceMod into nmrih, add your SteamID to admins_simple.ini and open sm_admin.
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Nova-Life: Amboise4 min readHow to Become Admin on a Nova-Life: Amboise Server (adminLevel)
Make yourself admin on Nova-Life: Amboise: join once, stop the server, set adminLevel to 5 in life.db with DB Browser for SQLite, restart and press F5.
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Sven Co-op6 min readHow to Become Admin on a Sven Co-op Server (admins.txt and AFBase)
Make yourself admin on a Sven Co-op server with admins.txt, run commands over RCON, and add AFBase for kick, ban, slay and changelevel from in game.
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The Bus5 min readHow to Become Owner on a The Bus Server (Ranks and Admin Menu)
Get owner rights on your The Bus dedicated server by editing PlayerData.json, then use the Admin Menu to change map, operating plan and server name.
ReadHow to Check Your Game Server's Real RAM Usage (Before Paying More)
Check how much RAM your game server really uses with spark, top, docker stats or Task Manager, read the numbers correctly, and see if you are overpaying.
ReadHow to Fund a Community Game Server With Donations
Cover your community game server's monthly bill with donations: Ko-fi, Patreon, Discord subscriptions or shared billing, a goal bar, and staying inside game rules.
ReadHow to Get Alerts When Your Game Server Goes Down (Discord, Free)
Get a Discord or email alert when your game server goes offline: TCP checks for Minecraft, game query monitors for Steam games, Uptime Kuma and GameDig.
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Minecraft Bedrock5 min readHow to Give Enchanted Items on a Minecraft Bedrock Server
Bedrock has no one line enchanted /give. Use /give then /enchant, add JSON components like keep_on_death, and copy prize chests with /structure.
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Minecraft5 min readHow to Give Enchanted Items on a Minecraft Server (/give Syntax)
The /give syntax for enchanted, named and unbreakable items on a Minecraft Java server, for 1.21.5 and newer and for older versions.
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Rust5 min readHow to Give Items on a Rust Server (inventory.giveto and Short Names)
Give items to yourself, one player or everyone on a Rust server with inventory.give, giveto and giveall, plus the short names you actually need.
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Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord4 min readHow to Host a Bannerlord Dedicated Server (Custom Server Guide)
Host a Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord custom server: install the Dedicated Server tool, get a token with customserver.gettoken, write a config and open UDP 7210.
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