Game server guides, written by the people who run them.
Setup walkthroughs, config references, mod installs, wipe schedules, backups and troubleshooting for the games we host. 75 guides and counting.
General how-tos & explainers
Game Server Hosting vs Hosting at Home: Which Is Better?
Renting vs self-hosting a game server, compared honestly: cost, upload bandwidth, port forwarding, uptime, DDoS exposure and performance.
GeneralHow to Choose a Game Server Host: A Buyer's Checklist
A practical checklist for picking a game server host: latency, hardware, DDoS protection, control panel, mod support, pricing, refunds and support.
GeneralHow Much RAM and CPU Does a Game Server Need?
Sourced RAM, CPU and storage guidance for Minecraft, Rust, ARK, Palworld, Satisfactory and 7 Days to Die, plus why "unlimited" claims need context.
GeneralGame Server DDoS Protection Explained: What 40Gbps Means
What DDoS attacks are, Layer 3/4 vs Layer 7, what 40Gbps of included protection means in practice, and how to reduce your game server's exposure.
GeneralHow to Use SFTP to Edit Game Server Files (FileZilla and WinSCP)
Connect to your game server over SFTP with FileZilla or WinSCP, upload mods, edit configs safely and fix common connection errors.
GeneralWhat Is a Game Server IP and Port? How to Connect and Fix Timeouts
What a game server IP and port are, TCP vs UDP, query ports, connecting by IP:port in popular games and why 'connection timed out' happens.
GeneralPing, Latency and Server Location for Game Servers Explained
What ping, jitter and packet loss really mean, how far a server is from you sets your latency floor, and how to test your route with ping and traceroute.
GeneralHow to Back Up and Restore a Game Server (Saves, Configs and Mods)
Which files to back up (world, configs, mods), how to copy them safely, how to restore and test a backup, and a simple retention routine.
GeneralHow to Move Your Game Server to a New Host Without Losing Progress
A migration checklist: inventory the old server, match versions, copy saves, configs and mods, handle the new IP and ports, and announce the move.
GeneralHow to Run a Private Game Server for Friends
Lock a server down to your friends with passwords and whitelists, hand out admin carefully, pick the right slot count, share the cost and protect the saves.
GeneralModded vs Vanilla Game Servers: Which Should You Run?
Pros and cons of modded and vanilla servers, how mods affect performance and updates, server-side vs client-side mods, and a routine for changing mods safely.
GeneralHow to Fix Can't Connect to Game Server Errors (Checklist)
A checklist for when players can't join: server status, address and ports, versions and mods, passwords, your network, logs and when to ask support.
GeneralServer Wipe Schedules Explained: Map, Blueprint and Full Wipes
Why survival servers wipe, what map, blueprint and full wipes reset, how to pick a schedule, and how to announce and run a wipe without losing players.
Rust guides Rust hosting →
How to Install Oxide (uMod) and Carbon Plugins on a Rust Server
Oxide (uMod) and Carbon both load Rust plugins. Learn how they differ, where plugin files go, how to reload them and how to grant permissions.
RustRust Server Wipes Explained: Forced, Map and Blueprint Wipes
How Rust wipes work: the monthly forced wipe, map vs blueprint wipes, which files to delete, how to change seed and world size, and how to schedule one.
RustRust Server Settings Explained: server.cfg and Convars
A practical guide to Rust server.cfg: hostname, players, world size, seed, PvE, decay, RCON and what needs a plugin instead of a convar.
Minecraft guides Minecraft hosting →
How Much RAM Does a Minecraft Server Need?
RAM starting points for Minecraft Java servers by player count, plugins and modpacks, plus how view distance matters and when more RAM won't help.
MinecraftHow to Set Up a Modded Minecraft Server: Forge, NeoForge, Fabric
How to set up a modded Minecraft Java server with NeoForge, Forge or Fabric, match versions, handle client-only mods, run modpacks and fix crashes.
MinecraftMinecraft server.properties Explained (Java 26.3 Settings)
The Minecraft Java server.properties settings that matter, with defaults checked against 26.3, plus the options that moved to game rules.
MinecraftPaper vs Spigot vs Purpur vs Vanilla: Which Minecraft Server?
Choosing Minecraft server software: Vanilla, Paper, Spigot, Purpur, Fabric, Forge and NeoForge compared, plus the difference between plugins and mods.
Palworld guides Palworld hosting →
Palworld Server Settings Explained: PalWorldSettings.ini
How PalWorldSettings.ini works, which keys to change for EXP, capture, death penalty, bases and passwords, and the formatting traps that reset your config.
PalworldHow to Transfer a Palworld Co-op Save to a Dedicated Server
Move a Palworld co-op world to a dedicated server: where saves live, which files to upload, and how to restore your host character without losing Pals.
PalworldPalworld Server Lag and Crashes: How to Fix Them
Diagnose Palworld dedicated server lag, memory growth and crashes with RAM checks, scheduled restarts, load-reducing settings and a clear troubleshooting order.
ARK Survival Evolved guides ARK Survival Evolved hosting →
ARK Server Settings Explained: GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini
Which ARK server setting lives in GameUserSettings.ini vs Game.ini, with the exact key names for rates, difficulty, structure decay and day length.
ARK Survival EvolvedHow ARK Server Clusters Work: Setting Up Cross-ARK Transfers
How ARK clusters and cross-server transfers work: cluster ID, shared directory, what transfers, restriction settings and the mistakes that break transfers.
ARK Survival EvolvedHow to Install Mods on an ARK Dedicated Server (ASE and ASA)
ASE uses Steam Workshop IDs in ActiveMods with -automanagedmods; ASA uses CurseForge project IDs with -mods. Load order, updates and troubleshooting.
Valheim guides Valheim hosting →
Valheim Dedicated Server Setup: Launch Parameters, Ports and Saves
Every Valheim server launch parameter that matters, default ports, password rules, crossplay vs IP connect, save files and backups, plus what changed in 1.0.
ValheimHow to Install BepInEx Mods on a Valheim Dedicated Server
Install BepInExPack Valheim, place plugins in BepInEx/plugins, decide which mods need to be on both sides, match versions and fix common startup failures.
ValheimHow to Move a Singleplayer Valheim World to a Dedicated Server
Find your local Valheim world on Windows, copy the right files (.db/.fwl or the 1.0 world folder), match the world name, and check the right world loaded.
Terraria guides Terraria hosting →
Terraria serverconfig.txt Explained: Every Setting and Value
What each serverconfig.txt key does for a Terraria dedicated server, the valid values for size, difficulty, language and priority, and the mistakes to avoid.
TerrariaHow to Upload an Existing Terraria World to Your Server
Find your Terraria .wld on your PC, upload it to the server's worlds folder, point the server at it, check it loaded, and avoid version and backup mistakes.
TerrariaTerraria Classic, Expert, Master and Journey Modes for Server Hosts
What Classic, Expert, Master and Journey change, how a server sets difficulty at world creation, who can use Journey powers, and useful console commands.
7 Days to Die guides 7 Days to Die hosting →
7 Days to Die serverconfig.xml Settings Explained (V3.x)
Which serverconfig.xml settings still work in 7 Days to Die V3.x, how SandboxCode replaced difficulty and blood moon settings, and what the legacy keys meant.
7 Days to DieHow to Install Mods and Modlets on a 7 Days to Die Server
Where modlets go on a 7 Days to Die server, which mods players must install, when EAC has to be off, and how to read the log when a mod will not load.
7 Days to Die7 Days to Die World Generation: RWG, Navezgane and Custom Maps
Choose between Navezgane, RWG, pregenerated and custom worlds on a 7 Days to Die server, set seed and size, and regenerate a world safely.
Garry's Mod guides Garry's Mod hosting →
How to Run Sandbox, DarkRP or TTT on a Garry's Mod Server
Launch parameters, Workshop collections, content mounting and the usual mistakes when running Sandbox, DarkRP or TTT on a Garry's Mod dedicated server.
Garry's ModGarry's Mod ULX and ULib Admin Guide: Groups, Ranks and Commands
Make your first ULX superadmin, understand groups and permissions, and use verified ULX kick, ban, goto and bring syntax on a Garry's Mod server.
Garry's ModGarry's Mod server.cfg: Essential Settings Explained
What belongs in Garry's Mod server.cfg, what must go on the launch line, and how hostname, passwords, sv_allowcslua, FastDL and tickrate behave.
GTA V FiveM guides GTA V FiveM hosting →
FiveM txAdmin Recipes: Deploying QBCore, ESX or a Vanilla Server
What a txAdmin recipe does, how to pick between vanilla, ESX, Qbox and QBCore, where the license key comes from, and the mistakes that stall a first deploy.
GTA V FiveMFiveM server.cfg Explained: Endpoints, Convars and Resources
FiveM server.cfg line by line: port 30120 endpoints, license key, slots, OneSync, ensure order, permissions and settings now in the Portal.
GTA V FiveMHow to Add FiveM Resources and Fix Common Script Errors
Add FiveM resources correctly, write a basic fxmanifest.lua, set dependency order, and decode txAdmin console errors and hitch warnings.
BeamMP guides BeamMP hosting →
BeamMP ServerConfig.toml and AuthKey Setup Explained
How to get a BeamMP AuthKey from Keymaster and what every ServerConfig.toml setting does, with real defaults from the v3.9.3 server source.
BeamMPHow to Add Custom Maps and Vehicle Mods to a BeamMP Server
Where mod zips go, how to build the Map path for a custom map, and how to avoid slow joins and broken mods on a BeamMP server.
BeamMPBeamMP Lua Plugins and Server Moderation: Kick, Ban, Whitelist
Server-side Lua plugins in Resources/Server, the console commands that exist in v3.9.3, and working examples for bans, whitelists and chat rules.
ArmA Reforger guides ArmA Reforger hosting →
Arma Reforger server_config.json Explained: Every Setting
A setting-by-setting guide to the Arma Reforger dedicated server config: ports, name, passwords, admins, scenarioId, crossplay, BattlEye and operating options.
ArmA ReforgerHow to Add Mods to an Arma Reforger Dedicated Server
How to find mod IDs, fill in game.mods, handle dependencies and pinned versions, and troubleshoot players who cannot join a modded Arma Reforger server.
ArmA ReforgerArma Reforger Scenario IDs and Server Performance Tuning
A list of official Arma Reforger scenario IDs and the startup and config options that keep server FPS healthy on a busy milsim or community server.
s&box guides s&box hosting →
How to Set Up an s&box Dedicated Server
Install the s&box dedicated server through SteamCMD, launch it with +game, +hostname and port switches, link Steam binaries and connect with a lobby ID.
s&boxHow to Choose and Change the Game and Map on an s&box Server
How package idents from sbox.game decide the game and map on an s&box dedicated server, how to switch them, and what to check when it does not work.
s&boxs&box Server Admin Permissions and Troubleshooting
How admin claims in config/users.json work, how kicking and banning is handled by game code, and fixes for common s&box dedicated server problems.
Windrose guides Windrose hosting →
Windrose Dedicated Server Guide: Install, Invite Code and Direct IP
How Windrose dedicated servers work: installing the Steam tool, finding the invite code, joining by code or direct IP, and the config basics.
WindroseWindrose Server Settings Explained: ServerDescription and World Files
The verified Windrose server settings: ServerDescription.json keys, world presets, custom multipliers with ranges, and how to apply changes safely.
WindroseWindrose Dedicated Server vs Hosting Co-op Yourself: Which to Use
Windrose co-op hosted by a player versus a dedicated server: capacity, uptime, hardware, where saves live, and how to move a world between them.
Vein guides Vein hosting →
VEIN Server Config Explained: Game.ini and Engine.ini Settings
Which VEIN settings go in Game.ini and which in Engine.ini: server name, password, max players, admins, whitelist, PvP, zombies, time and loot.
VeinHow to Wipe, Back Up and Restore a VEIN Server Save
Where VEIN stores server saves, how to wipe a world safely, back up and restore Server.vns, and what a wipe does and does not change.
VeinVEIN Server Ports and How to Connect (Fixing Join Failures)
VEIN ports (UDP 7777 plus the query port), connecting by IP, firewall and port forwarding for self-hosters, and how to fix a server that will not show or join.
Satisfactory guides Satisfactory hosting →
How to Set Up a Satisfactory Dedicated Server (Claim, Ports, Save)
Install, claim and run a Satisfactory dedicated server: SteamCMD, ports 7777 and 8888, the Server Manager claim, passwords, and creating or uploading a save.
SatisfactorySatisfactory Server Settings Explained: Autosave, Max Players and More
Satisfactory dedicated server settings: Server Manager options, Game.ini and Engine.ini keys for max players and autosaves, and which ones are verified.
SatisfactoryHow to Install Mods on a Satisfactory Dedicated Server
Add mods to a Satisfactory dedicated server with Satisfactory Mod Manager: check server support, match client and server, file locations and troubleshooting.
The Front guides The Front hosting →
The Front Dedicated Server Config: ServerConfig_.ini Explained
Where The Front stores server settings, the ServerConfig_.ini keys worth changing, the launch line, and the four ports you have to get right.
The FrontThe Front Server Modes: PvP vs PvE, Standard Mode and Maps
The Front has one start map and a PvP/PvE switch. Here is what hosts can really choose, and which rules shape each type of server.
The FrontThe Front Server Not Showing Up or Won't Start? Fixes That Work
A checklist for The Front dedicated servers that will not install, start, appear in the list, or accept connections.
Soulmask guides Soulmask hosting →
Soulmask Server Settings: Startup Parameters and GameXishu.json
Soulmask launch parameters, Engine.ini, the GameXishu.json rate settings, and how -saving and -backup protect your world.
SoulmaskSoulmask PvE vs PvP Server: Differences and How to Set the Mode
How -pve and -pvp differ on a Soulmask server, why Tribe and Warrior mode are not options, and which settings to tune for each.
SoulmaskSoulmask Admin Commands, RCON and Cross-Server Clusters
GM panel access, ban and mute commands, telnet and RCON, plus how to cluster Cloud Mist Forest with Shifting Sands.
Insurgency Sandstorm guides Insurgency Sandstorm hosting →
Insurgency: Sandstorm Server Config: Game.ini, Admins.txt, Ports
File locations, launch arguments, Admins.txt, Game.ini rules, ports and the GSLT for an Insurgency: Sandstorm dedicated server.
Insurgency SandstormInsurgency: Sandstorm Mods, Map Cycle and Scenarios via mod.io
How mod.io server mods work after update 1.20, plus custom maps, MapCycle.txt scenarios, modes and lighting.
Insurgency SandstormInsurgency: Sandstorm Bot Settings: Co-op, Versus and Mode Tuning
Game.ini settings for Sandstorm bots: co-op difficulty and enemy counts, Checkpoint and Survival tuning, and bots in versus.
Unturned guides Unturned hosting →
Unturned Server Commands and Config Files Explained
How Commands.dat, Config.txt and Adminlist.dat work on an Unturned dedicated server, with the exact commands for mode, PvE, slots, cheats, admins and ports.
UnturnedHow to Add Workshop Mods and Maps to an Unturned Server
Use WorkshopDownloadConfig.json to add Workshop mods and maps to an Unturned server, set the Map command, handle updates and troubleshoot failed downloads.
UnturnedUnturned Plugins: RocketMod, LDM and OpenMod Explained
RocketMod, the LDM fork and OpenMod compared for Unturned servers: current status, installing plugins, permissions basics and how to vet plugin sources.
Ardem guides Ardem hosting →
Enshrouded guides Enshrouded hosting →
Enshrouded Server Config: enshrouded_server.json Explained
A walkthrough of enshrouded_server.json: name, slotCount, queryPort, voice chat, gameSettingsPreset and userGroups, checked against Enshrouded 1.0.
EnshroudedEnshrouded User Groups and Difficulty Presets Explained
What Admin, Friend, Guest and Visitor can do on an Enshrouded server, how reserved slots work, and what each difficulty preset and Custom setting changes.
EnshroudedHow to Move an Enshrouded World to a Dedicated Server
Where Enshrouded saves live, how to upload a world to a dedicated server, what happens to characters, and how the 1.0 save migration affects you.
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