Want to run matches on your own hardware and set the game rules yourself? When you host your own game server, you control mods, access, and performance. But where do you stars?
This guide shows how to set up a gaming server without the fluff — from choosing hardware and bandwidth to installing, securing, and monitoring. You’ll learn how to size a server for gaming that fits today’s player count and plan a gaming server build you can upgrade piece by piece. We’ll cover SteamCMD and official installers, sensible backup and restore habits, and the networking basics that keep pings low and ports open, so play stays smooth and your community keeps coming back.
A game server is a dedicated computer or virtual machine that hosts multiplayer games using game server software, allowing multiple players to connect, interact, and play together in real-time. It acts as the central hub for the virtual world, keeping everything in sync while you host your own game server. Behind the scenes, it handles game logic, player interaction, data storage, and networking.
You can build your own machine from components, repurpose an old PC, or buy an off-the-shelf box. However, the easiest path is to rent a dedicated server to run the game: you download the server files, set up security, and configure your game server remotely.
When a hosting provider manages your private game server, you don't have to worry about hardware costs, cooling systems, or security risks. You also get access to higher bandwidth, which ultimately delivers a better gaming experience.
A dedicated server configuration must match the technical requirements of the game and the number of players who will connect to it. The is*hosting team can help you before renting a server by recommending the ideal configuration for any gaming experience.
For some gamers, choosing a VPS as a server is a more cost-effective solution. But if you’re an avid gamer and want enough processing power to handle heavy loads, a dedicated server is the way to go.
Just write to us, and we’ll find the right configuration for your games.
The benefits of a dedicated server include higher performance, stronger privacy, and the ability to scale up quickly.
Of course, there are disadvantages. Owning your own server can be costly, but renting a dedicated server instead of building your own hardware reduces expenses. All you need is a trustworthy hosting provider and a server configuration that suits the game’s requirements.
Setting up and managing a dedicated game server requires technical knowledge. You’ll need to be familiar with server administration, network technology, and troubleshooting. It’s also time-consuming, as all settings need to be configured and reviewed regularly. Network configuration, firewall settings, and troubleshooting server-related issues may require specialist knowledge or external support. This is why it’s essential to choose a hosting provider with quality technical support.
Massively multiplayer online (MMO) games typically involve large numbers of players interacting in a persistent virtual world. Dedicated servers provide a centralized and stable virtual world powered by game server software where players can conduct research, complete quests, and engage in player-versus-player (PVP) combat. Examples of MMOs that rely heavily on dedicated servers include World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, EVE Online, and Guild Wars 2.
First-person shooter (FPS) games often benefit from dedicated servers as they provide lower latency and a more balanced playing environment, provided the internet connection is solid. Dedicated game servers also allow greater control over game settings such as game modes, maps, and player restrictions. Popular FPS games with dedicated server support include Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), Call of Duty, Battlefield, and Team Fortress 2 (TF2).
Survival games typically feature open-world exploration, resource gathering, crafting, and player interaction. When paired with a dedicated server, they provide a stable gaming environment for collaboration or competition, which is especially useful for long-running worlds when planning how to build a server for gaming. Games such as Minecraft, ARK: Survival Ascended, Rust, and 7 Days to Die include dedicated server options that allow players to create their own worlds for other players to join.
Building and sandbox games give players the tools and freedom to create their own virtual worlds. With a dedicated server, players can collaborate on larger projects, share their creations, and enjoy the world they created. Examples include Garry's Mod, Terraria, Space Engineers, Minecraft, and Factorio.
Role-playing games (RPGs) with multiplayer components, such as cooperative gameplay or player-versus-player battles, can benefit from the use of dedicated servers. Examples include Diablo 4, Path of Exile, Divinity: Original Sin 2, and The Elder Scrolls Online.
Sports and racing games often feature multiplayer modes where players can compete against each other. Dedicated servers provide a fair and consistent environment for matches, reducing latency and helping keep players in sync. FIFA, NBA 2K, Rocket League, and iRacing are some examples.
Make sure you understand the game requirements and desired settings before you begin, and check that your server’s operating system is compatible with SteamCMD and the title you plan to host:
login anonymous
force_install_dir <path to your game server folder>
app_update <AppID> validate
Example: Counter-Strike 2 uses AppID 730. Some games (e.g., CS2) also require a Game Server Login Token (GSLT), which you pass on launch with +sv_setsteamaccount <TOKEN>.
With these steps, you already have the basics of running your own gaming server, ready to host matches and manage your game environment.
It’s the perfect time to switch to a dedicated GPU server.
Picking the correct server for game hosting can make or break your players’ experience. Lag, crashes, or slow load times? Nobody’s got time for that. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose what actually works for your game, whether you’re hosting a private server for friends or running a massive online world.
So, what server is best for gaming: VPS or dedicated?
Most dedicated game servers don’t need a GPU because they don’t render graphics (they’re headless). If your server will also handle video encoding, streaming, or machine learning/anti-cheat workloads, then go for a dedicated server with a GPU. Otherwise, focus your budget on CPU, RAM, and SSD storage.
It really depends on the game, but here’s a solid baseline:
Check out ishosting.com — we’ve got VPS, dedicated servers, and even GPU-powered options ready to roll. Tons of configurations, 24/7 support, and global data centers ensure that your players get low ping no matter where they are.
The technical requirements for a dedicated server depend not only on the type of games you play, but also on the number of players, settings, plugins, and mods installed. It’s important to consider server load and plan for potential scaling in advance.
AppID: 730
Counter-Strike 2 is the current, Source 2-based release that replaced Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Dedicated servers ship under the same AppID as the game and require a GSLT for players to join over the internet.
Minimum/baseline for a CS2 dedicated server (per Valve docs):
AppID: 232250
Team Fortress 2 is a team-based multiplayer FPS developed by Valve. It has a unique art style and various character classes with different abilities and gameplay styles. Players can take part in game modes such as Capture the Flag and Control Point. TF2 is known for its colorful aesthetic, fast-paced gameplay, and emphasis on teamwork. It’s also a straightforward starting point for a dedicated gaming server; if you host at home, set up port forwarding and share the server address with your group.
Minimum requirements for a dedicated TF2 server:
Dedicated Server AppID: 2430930
ARK: Survival Ascended is an open-world survival game set in a prehistoric environment filled with dinosaurs and other creatures from that era. Players must gather resources, craft tools, build shelter, and tame or hunt dinosaurs to survive. The game offers both single and multiplayer modes, with cooperative and competitive gameplay options. This makes it a strong candidate for running on your own game server.
Minimum/baseline dedicated server requirements:
Note: Legacy ARK: Survival Evolved uses AppID 376030. Official ASE servers were shut down in late September 2023, with save snapshots provided for private re-hosting.
AppID: 105610 (Terraria – Dedicated Server)
Terraria focuses on exploration, building, and combat. Players start with basic skills and must gather resources, craft items, and fight enemies to progress through the game's procedurally generated world. Terraria has many biomes, bosses, and NPCs to meet and interact with.
The game doesn’t require much disk space. Minimum requirements for a dedicated Terraria server:
AppID: 258550
Rust is a multiplayer survival game where you must gather resources, build shelter, and defend yourself against hostile players and environmental threats. The game features a harsh open world with PvP combat. Rust also features a persistent world, a player-driven economy, and a deep crafting system.
Dedicated Rust server minimum requirements:
Game servers for non-Steam games often require different setup procedures. If you’re wondering how to set up a gaming server for these titles, you’ll usually need to download the server files provided by the developer. While the steps for setting up a game server for non-Steam games are different, the following steps are common:
Once the configuration is complete, launch the server file or startup script. For more information on server administration, plug-ins, or other features, check the official documentation or seek help from other players on the forums.
Minecraft servers are distributed by the developer and do not use Steam or SteamCMD. For Java Edition, download the official server.jar, accept the End User License Agreement, and launch with your Java runtime. For Bedrock Edition, use the Bedrock Dedicated Server builds for Windows or Ubuntu and follow the quick-start steps in Microsoft’s docs.
Factorio provides a headless build intended for servers. Download it from the official site (Linux package, no graphics). Create a save first, and then start the server using the game binary. For example:
./bin/x64/factorio --create ./saves/my-save.zip → ./bin/x64/factorio --start-server ./saves/my-save.zip.
By default, the dedicated server uses UDP 34197. Adjust firewall rules or port forwarding accordingly if you host at home.
Running your own dedicated game server gives you increased performance, low latency, improved multiplayer, and full control over gameplay. With so many games that benefit from using a dedicated server and a global community of players supporting your hobbies, it's definitely worth a try!
A gaming server runs the game simulation on the host, listens on one or more ports, and lets clients join via the server address. The server is authoritative: it processes ticks, applies rules, saves progress, and sends updates to players. Hosting at home usually requires port forwarding on your router.
Add-ons to budget for: extra storage or backups, DDoS protection, Windows licenses, and monitoring.
Monitor actual usage at peak and leave headroom for smooth gameplay.
For hosting, yes. They often support Error-Correcting Code memory, Intelligent Platform Management Interface remote control, extra PCI Express slots or network interface cards, and 24/7 reliability. For a desktop gaming PC, they’re usually overkill due to higher cost, bigger E-ATX boards, and features you won’t use. If you need always-on uptime and remote management, server boards are great; if you just play games, a consumer board is simpler and cheaper.
Usually not. A proxy adds latency and another point of failure. It can help with DDoS scrubbing or special routing, but for day-to-day play, direct routes are faster and simpler.
For hosting, yes. Prioritize high single-core speed and cache over sheer core count. Modern Xeon, Ryzen, or EPYC processors work well; avoid very low-clocked many-core models for tick-heavy titles.