Game Server Guides
Free, practical how-to guides for running your own game servers — setup walkthroughs, performance tuning and lag fixes, written by people who host games for a living.
Pick a guide
Step-by-step tutorials and tuning guides for the most popular games — grouped by type, plus the universal fixes that apply to any server.
Minecraft 2
How to Make a Minecraft Server
Set up a Java server from scratch — version, server.properties, EULA and going live.
Read guide →Best Minecraft Settings to Reduce Lag
View distance, Paper tuning, Aikar's flags and pre-generation for smooth TPS.
Read guide →Survival & Sandbox 26
How to Make a Rust Server
SteamCMD, population & map size, wipe schedule and Oxide/Carbon mods.
Read guide →How to Make an ARK Server
Install, pick a map, tune rates, build a cluster and add mods. ASA & ASE.
Read guide →How to Make a Valheim Server
Install, set world & password, add BepInEx mods and play 24/7.
Read guide →Best Valheim Server Settings
World Modifier presets, the -preset/-modifier flags, portal-ore tweak, admins & whitelist.
Read guide →How to Make a Palworld Server
Install, configure rates and player count, and play co-op 24/7.
Read guide →Best Rust Server Settings
Population vs world size, save interval, entity and plugin tuning for smooth wipes.
Read guide →How to Set Up an Unturned Server
SteamCMD, RocketMod/OpenMod plugins and Workshop maps like Elver.
Read guide →How to Make a 7 Days to Die Server
SteamCMD app 294420, serverconfig.xml, the ports to open and adding mods.
Read guide →How to Make a Project Zomboid Server
SteamCMD app 380870, the admin password, servertest.ini and Workshop mods.
Read guide →Best Project Zomboid Server Settings
Zombie population, loot rarity & respawn, XP — across servertest.ini and SandboxVars.lua.
Read guide →How to Make a Satisfactory Server
SteamCMD app 1690800, the two ports (7777 & 8888) and claiming it in-game.
Read guide →How to Make a Terraria Server
Dedicated server or TShock, pick a world, port 7777 and inviting friends.
Read guide →How to Set Up a DayZ Server
SteamCMD app 223350, serverDZ.cfg, port 2302 and loading Workshop mods.
Read guide →Best DayZ Server Settings
serverDZ.cfg (players, time, security) and the loot economy in types.xml. Vanilla to hardcore.
Read guide →How to Make a Sons of the Forest Server
SteamCMD app 2465200, dedicatedserver.cfg, UDP ports 8766/27016/9700 and a persistent world.
Read guide →How to Make a Factorio Server
Free headless server (tarball or SteamCMD 427520), UDP 34197, server-settings.json. Very light.
Read guide →How to Make a Core Keeper Server
SteamCMD app 1963720, the xvfb virtual-display trick, UDP 27015/27016, co-op 24/7.
Read guide →How to Make a Barotrauma Server
SteamCMD app 1026340, UDP 27015/27016, serversettings.xml — crew a submarine 24/7.
Read guide →How to Make a Don't Starve Together Server
SteamCMD app 343050, the Klei cluster token and the Master + Caves shards, UDP 10999.
Read guide →How to Make a Vintage Story Server
The built-in VintagestoryServer (no SteamCMD), port 42420, serverconfig.json and ModDB.
Read guide →How to Make an Eco Server
SteamCMD app 739590, TCP 3000 + web dashboard, Network.eco — a shared civilization 24/7.
Read guide →How to Make a Necesse Server
SteamCMD app 1169370, UDP 14159, server.cfg — one of the lightest games to host.
Read guide →How to Make a Starbound Server
SteamCMD app 533830, port 21025 (TCP+UDP), starbound_server.config and a persistent universe.
Read guide →Best ARK Server Settings
Harvest, taming & XP rates, difficulty and breeding multipliers that actually work. ASA & ASE.
Read guide →Best Palworld Server Settings
EXP & capture rates, player cap and the WorldOption.sav gotcha that resets your edits.
Read guide →Best 7 Days to Die Server Settings
Zombie count, blood-moon horde size, XP, zombie speed and the options that fix lag.
Read guide →Shooters & Action 14
How to Make a CS2 Server
SteamCMD, app 730, a GSLT token and launching your dedicated CS2 server.
Read guide →Best CS2 Server Settings
server.cfg, game_type/game_mode for every mode, the mp_ ruleset, rates & the sub-tick truth.
Read guide →How to Reduce Ping in CS2
Server region, connection, routing and hosting your own low-ping server.
Read guide →How to Set Up a GMod DarkRP Server
Install GMod, add DarkRP, a Workshop collection, jobs and a MySQL economy.
Read guide →How to Install CS2 Plugins
Metamod:Source, CounterStrikeSharp, the gameinfo.gi edit and the right install order.
Read guide →How to Make a Garry's Mod Server
SteamCMD app 4020, a GSLT token, gamemode & map, port 27015 and Workshop + FastDL.
Read guide →How to Make a Team Fortress 2 Server
SteamCMD app 232250, a GSLT token, the map and ports, and SourceMod for admin.
Read guide →How to Make a CS 1.6 Server
HLDS via SteamCMD app 90 (mod cstrike), port 27015, ReHLDS for non-Steam and AMX Mod X.
Read guide →How to Make an Insurgency: Sandstorm Server
SteamCMD app 581330, the map & scenario, ports 27102/27131 and Mod.io mods.
Read guide →How to Make a Squad Server
SteamCMD app 403240, Server.cfg & Admins.cfg, ports 7787/27165, RCON and mods.
Read guide →How to Make an SCP: Secret Laboratory Server
SteamCMD app 996560, launch via LocalAdmin, UDP port 7777 and EXILED plugins.
Read guide →How to Make a Left 4 Dead 2 Server
SteamCMD app 222860, UDP 27015, server.cfg — and how to allow more than 4 survivors.
Read guide →How to Make a Killing Floor 2 Server
SteamCMD app 232130, the WebAdmin panel, UDP 7777/27015/20560 + TCP 8080.
Read guide →How to Make a Mordhau Server
SteamCMD app 629800, Game.ini + RCON, UDP 7777/27015/15000 — big 64-80 player battles.
Read guide →Roleplay & Voice 3
How to Set Up a FiveM Server
Cfx.re key, FXServer artifacts, server.cfg and a framework like ESX or QBCore.
Read guide →How to Set Up a TeamSpeak Server
Download, accept the licence, claim your admin token and set up channels.
Read guide →How to Install ox_inventory
The free FiveM inventory standard — deps, bridge, start order and item migration.
Read guide →Performance & Fixes 7
Reduce Game Server Lag & Ping
Lag vs ping explained — and how to fix both on any game server.
Read guide →Reduce Lag on a Rust Server
Fix low server FPS — world size, entity count, save interval, GC flags, plugins & CPU.
Read guide →Reduce Lag on an ARK Server
Fix low tick rate — dino/structure counts, DestroyWildDinos, clean configs & mods.
Read guide →Fix FiveM Server Lag
Find heavy resources with resmon, cut thread hitches, OneSync & a fast single core.
Read guide →Fix Minecraft Server Lag
Get back to 20 TPS — Paper/Purpur, simulation distance, entity caps, Aikar's flags, spark, pregen.
Read guide →Reduce Lag on a Palworld Server
Base/pal density, default spawn rates, the 16-player cap, RAM & a fast CPU.
Read guide →Reduce Lag on a 7 Days to Die Server
Cap zombies & blood-moon horde, lower view distance, trim mods, fast CPU — smooth horde night.
Read guide →Cost & Buying 31
How Much Does a Minecraft Server Cost?
What drives the price — RAM, slots, vanilla vs modded — typical ranges and how to size it.
Read guide →How Much Does a Rust Server Cost?
Slots, map size, RAM & CPU, modded vs vanilla — typical monthly ranges and how to size it right.
Read guide →How Much Does an ARK Server Cost?
RAM, ASA vs ASE, mods and clusters — why ARK costs more and how to size it without overpaying.
Read guide →How Much Does a FiveM Server Cost?
Why CPU beats RAM, script/framework weight, slots & database — typical ranges for an RP server.
Read guide →How Much Does a Palworld Server Cost?
RAM, base size and why 16 players is the sweet spot for cost and stability. Typical ranges.
Read guide →How Much Does a Valheim Server Cost?
Why Valheim is one of the cheapest games to host — RAM, small groups, world age & mods.
Read guide →How Much Does a 7 Days to Die Server Cost?
RAM, zombie count as a CPU cost, slots & overhaul mods — sizing for smooth blood moons.
Read guide →How Much Does a DayZ Server Cost?
Slots, mods as the big RAM factor, CPU — sizing a modded 60-slot server without overpaying.
Read guide →Self-Host vs Rent a Game Server
Cost, uptime, bandwidth, your IP & DDoS risk — and exactly when each choice wins.
Read guide →Self-Host vs Rent a Minecraft Server
RAM & CPU while you play, uptime, modpacks and your home IP — which is better for Minecraft.
Read guide →Self-Host vs Rent a Rust Server
DDoS risk, single-core CPU, RAM & wipes — why Rust is a game where renting almost always wins.
Read guide →Self-Host vs Rent a FiveM Server
Single-core CPU, 24/7 uptime, txAdmin & database, DDoS — why RP servers almost always rent.
Read guide →How Much Does a CS2 Server Cost?
Slots, game mode & CPU speed — why CS2 is cheap to host but sensitive to CPU, not RAM.
Read guide →How Much Does a Garry's Mod Server Cost?
Sandbox vs DarkRP, addons, single-thread CPU & FastDL — sizing a DarkRP server.
Read guide →How Much Does a Satisfactory Server Cost?
RAM grows with factory complexity, small co-op counts — why the factory, not slots, drives cost.
Read guide →How Much Does a Terraria Server Cost?
One of the cheapest to host — small groups, vanilla vs tModLoader, RAM. Typical ranges.
Read guide →How Much Does a Squad Server Cost?
80-100 slots, RAM, CPU & bandwidth — why Squad is one of the pricier games to host.
Read guide →How Much Does an SCP: SL Server Cost?
Small rounds, EXILED plugins, RAM — why SCP: Secret Laboratory is cheap to host.
Read guide →How Much Does a Sons of the Forest Server Cost?
Small co-op counts, RAM & CPU — sizing a persistent co-op world. Typical ranges.
Read guide →Self-Host vs Rent an ARK Server
RAM appetite, CPU, clusters & DDoS — why ARK's hardware demands push most people to rent.
Read guide →Self-Host vs Rent a Palworld Server
RAM hunger, 24/7 uptime, the ~16-player ceiling & DDoS — when each choice makes sense.
Read guide →Self-Host vs Rent a DayZ Server
CPU, fiddly mod loading, restarts & DDoS — why persistent modded DayZ servers rent.
Read guide →Move a Minecraft Server to a New Host
Back up, transfer the world, match the version, update DNS & test — no world lost.
Read guide →Move a Game Server to a New Host
The universal switching guide — back up, upload, match version, repoint IP/DNS, test.
Read guide →Free vs Paid Game Server Hosting
The real limits of free hosts — RAM, slots, uptime, ads, no DDoS — and when to pay.
Read guide →Move a Rust Server to a New Host
Save + Oxide/Carbon, match version, migrate on wipe day — no map or blueprints lost.
Read guide →Move an ARK Server to a New Host
SavedArks + configs + mods, match ASA/ASE, clusters — tames & bases intact.
Read guide →Move a FiveM Server to a New Host
Resources + server.cfg + the MySQL database + Cfx key — keep every character.
Read guide →How to Choose a Game Server Host
The buyer's checklist — CPU, RAM, DDoS, uptime, ping, backups, panel & support.
Read guide →Move a Valheim Server to a New Host
The .db & .fwl world files, adminlist, match version & mods — world intact in minutes.
Read guide →Move a Palworld Server to a New Host
The SaveGames folder + PalWorldSettings.ini — bases, pals & player progress kept.
Read guide →Rather skip the setup?
Every guide here can be a one-click deploy instead. Our game hosting runs on high-clock CPUs and NVMe behind a multi-Tbps Frankfurt network — protected, low-latency and online in minutes.