{"id":9078,"date":"2017-02-28T02:03:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-28T07:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/?p=9078"},"modified":"2021-01-05T11:03:24","modified_gmt":"2021-01-05T17:03:24","slug":"gaming-servers-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/gaming-servers-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Dedicated Gaming Servers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Gaming<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gaming servers are servers that are used to host games. If you have played an MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) game, then you have connected to a gaming server.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, a lot of gaming servers can end up being limited. Instead of playing the kind of game you want to play, you\u2019re stuck playing in the customized environment that\u2019s required for massive server play.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes you just want a little more customization and control over your gaming environment. This is where dedicated gaming servers<\/a> come in. <\/span><\/p>\n

Below we dive into what dedicated gaming servers are, why you would want one, and how to create your own for a few select games.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Dedicated<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is a Dedicated Gaming Server?<\/h2>\n

A gaming server is a dedicated server or server cluster with the requisite amount of hardware and resources to be able to run the game fluidly. Most games, like World of Warcraft and Minecraft, will not allow a person to charge people to play the game, as the game is the property of the gaming company itself. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you have a private server, however, you can play a version of a game that deviates from the official version. You can charge people to play the game (although you should check the official rules first), or add character customizations or gameplay resections.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, you can also simply set up a server to play with your friends. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why Would I Want a Gaming Server?<\/h2>\n

Well, to put it simply, these games are fun. <\/span><\/p>\n

But in order to have multiple people playing these games with you, you either need to have a LAN party and a server at your house, or you need a dedicated server. With a dedicated server, you can play with your friends no matter where they are, as long as they have their own computer and an internet connection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rental servers can seem like a good course of action, since you don\u2019t have to take care of any of the technical elements yourself, but they can have problems of their own. Sometimes the remote host won’t update the software soon after an update is released, or there are lag issues during gameplay. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to get the most from your online gaming experience, then setting up your own dedicated server is often the way to go. Get one here.<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You’ve Intrigued Me… Now What Do I Do?<\/h3>\n

Setting up a dedicated server can get a bit technical, but the freedom of having your own online gaming environment can be quite tempting for some gamers. <\/span><\/p>\n

The steps for setting up your dedicated gaming server will be different based upon the actual game you want to play. We offer a few tips below for getting your server setup for popular online multiplayer games.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before we jump into creating your very own server it\u2019s important to note that you should think twice before charging people to play on your server environment. Depending on the game, this may or not be legal (here’s Minecraft’s position<\/a>, for example).<\/span><\/p>\n

Create a private gaming server for passion, not profit.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That being said, let\u2019s dive in.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you already have a dedicated server, great! Go ahead and install your game of choice and go to town. If you don\u2019t have a dedicated server, you can get a great deal with HostGator.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to Set Up a Minecraft Server<\/h3>\n

Running a Minecraft server fairly easy, and here’s how you can do it!<\/span><\/p>\n

The steps below are for those who are running Windows machines<\/a>. We already covered setting up a Minecraft server on a Mac<\/span> <\/span>in a previous blog post<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. Check Your Machine<\/b><\/p>\n

The first thing you\u2019ll need to do is ensure your machine is equipped to host a personal server. <\/span><\/p>\n

For starters you\u2019ll need enough RAM. The common requirement is 1GB of RAM for every four to five players you\u2019re going to host on your server. To test your machine you can use the tool called <\/span>CanIHostaMinecraftServer.com<\/span><\/a>. This will tell you how many players your current system can support.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most basic of HostGator’s dedicated server plans<\/a> can support 48 players – it only goes up from there!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Update Java<\/b><\/p>\n

Check that you have the latest version of Java installed<\/a>. You’ll need it in order for your server to work properly. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. Download the Server<\/b><\/p>\n

Next, download the server file from <\/span>Minecraft<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Pro Tip: <\/em>Create a folder on your site to store all of the necessary server files.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4. Install the Server<\/b><\/p>\n

Now all you have to do is open the .jar<\/em> file you downloaded and the program will install all of the necessary files for you. <\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, locate a file called <\/span>eula.txt<\/span><\/i> and change the value <\/span>eula=false to eula=true<\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/p>\n

Save the file.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now your server is ready to rock! For a full list of Minecraft customization tweaks you can <\/span>check out the guide here<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of course, the games highlighted above are only the beginning. Nostalgia for old games has been on the rise lately, so there’s never been a better time to take advantage of those gaming skills you cultivated as a child! And don’t forget: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start!<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Gaming servers are servers that are used to host games. If you have played an MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) game, then you have connected to a gaming server. However, a lot of gaming servers can end up being limited. Instead of playing the kind of game you want to play, you\u2019re stuck playing in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":144,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-web-and-hosting-tips"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Ultimate Guide to Dedicated Gaming Servers - HostGator<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Gaming servers are servers that are used to host games. 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