Game Server Guides
Plain-English guides for setting up a server, fixing problems and growing a community, with copy-and-paste steps for the games we cover.
LEARN ITHOST ITSTEP BY STEP. NO FLUFF.
Server Setup
Install, configure and launch your server.
10 guides-
Start hereHow To Host An ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server
Requirements, SteamCMD, launch scripts, firewall ports and config files for hosting your own ARK server on Windows or Linux, or when renting is the easier route.
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How To Host An ARK: Survival Ascended Dedicated Server
Set up an ARK: Survival Ascended dedicated server on Windows: SteamCMD install, launch line, ports, GameUserSettings.ini, admin commands, saves and the hosting licence rules.
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How To Host A Valheim Dedicated Server
Install the Valheim Dedicated Server with Steam or SteamCMD, forward the right ports, write your start script, turn on crossplay and keep your world backed up, on Windows or Linux.
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How To Host A Satisfactory Dedicated Server
Set up a Satisfactory 1.2 dedicated server on Windows or Linux: SteamCMD install, ports 7777 and 8888, claiming it in the Server Manager, saves, updates and when renting is easier.
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How To Host A Rust Dedicated Server
Set up a Rust dedicated server on Windows or Linux: SteamCMD install, the four ports, launch options, server.cfg and users.cfg, RCON, wipes and when renting is easier.
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How To Host A Project Zomboid Dedicated Server
Set up a Project Zomboid Build 42 dedicated server on Windows or Linux: SteamCMD install, memory, ports, your server's settings files, mods, admins and backups.
Settings & Mods
Configure, customise and add mods with ease.
1 guidePerformance & Hardware
Get the best performance from your server.
1 guide
Troubleshooting
Diagnose and fix common server problems.
1 guide
Community & Growth
Find players, keep them and grow your server.
8 guides-
How to Promote Your Game Server and Find Players
The in-game server list will not bring you players. Build your own presence with a Discord and website, list on server ranking sites, and post where the game's community gathers, while staying inside the publisher's rules.
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How to Promote Your Conan Exiles Server
Get players onto your Conan Exiles server: the browser filters players use, a clear server name and Discord, server listing sites, and the Funcom forum and subreddit where Conan players look for servers.
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How to Promote Your ARK: Survival Evolved Server
Get players onto your ARK: Survival Evolved server: a session name people can search for, a Discord to send them to, server tracking and voting sites, and the forums and subreddits where ARK players look for servers.
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Tips for Streaming Your Gameplay and Building an Audience
Streaming your game server is a good way to grow both a following and your community. These seven tips cover engaging your chat, planning, sponsorships, consistency and staying positive.
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How to Make Your Game Server Pay for Itself
Many server owners turn a monthly cost into a hobby that covers its own bills, or earns a little extra. Here are the main ways to monetise a game server, and the rules to check first.
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How to Keep Your Game Server Players Active and Engaged
Growing a player base is only half the job. These five habits help you keep the players you have: be present, involve your community, hold events, stay fair and deal with toxic behaviour quickly.
Free Server Tools
Start scripts and settings generators for server owners. All tools →
- Valheim Server Settings GeneratorWrite your Valheim start script, with crossplay, world presets and world modifiers.
- Project Zomboid Server Settings GeneratorWrite your Build 42 server settings and SandboxVars.lua from the game's own presets.
- 7 Days to Die SandboxCode and Server Config GeneratorBuild or read a V3 SandboxCode, and write your serverconfig.xml, checked against the dedicated server.
- ARK Config GeneratorBuild your GameUserSettings.ini and paste it straight into your server.
- ARK Game.ini GeneratorSet breeding, taming and custom multipliers without editing by hand.
- ARK Max Level GeneratorGenerate the settings for your server's maximum level.
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