Introduction
OpenRA is an open-source game engine that allows you to play classic real-time strategy games like Command & Conquer, Dune 2000, and Red Alert on modern systems. Hosting your OpenRA game server on Ubuntu 18.04 is a great way to enjoy these classic games with friends. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of installing and hosting an OpenRA game server on an Ubuntu 18.04 system.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have:
- A server or virtual machine running Ubuntu 18.04.
- Access to your server with a user account with sudo privileges.
- Basic knowledge of Linux commands.
Step 1: Update and Upgrade
First, make sure your server is up to date by running the following commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
This will ensure that your system has the latest security patches and software updates.
Step 2: Install Required Dependencies
To run an OpenRA game server, you need to install some required dependencies. Use the following command to install them:
sudo apt install mono-complete screen unzip
mono-complete
is the Mono runtime environment required to run OpenRA.screen
is a terminal multiplexer that allows you to run processes in the background.unzip
is a utility to extract compressed files.
Step 3: Download and Extract OpenRA
Next, you need to download and extract the OpenRA server files. Create a directory for your server and navigate to it:
mkdir openra-server
cd openra-server
Download the latest OpenRA server files:
wget https://github.com/OpenRA/OpenRA/releases/download/release-20210321/OpenRA-20210321-Release-Unix.sh
Make the downloaded file executable:
chmod +x OpenRA-20210321-Release-Unix.sh
Now, run the installation script:
./OpenRA-20210321-Release-Unix.sh
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Step 4: Configure the OpenRA Server
You’ll need to create a configuration file for your OpenRA server. You can use a basic configuration file as a starting point:
cp -r ~/.openra/OpenRA/* ~/.openra/OpenRA.Server
Edit the server settings:
nano ~/.openra/OpenRA.Server/settings.yaml
Replace the sample settings with your desired server configuration, such as server name, password, and game type.
Step 5: Start the OpenRA Server
You can start your OpenRA server with the following command:
screen -dmS openra-server /usr/bin/openra-server
To access your server console, you can reattach to the screen session:
screen -r openra-server
Step 6: Configure Port Forwarding
If your server is behind a router, make sure to configure port forwarding to allow players to connect to your OpenRA game server. Forward the following ports to your server’s local IP address:
- TCP/UDP port 1234 (default OpenRA game port)
- TCP/UDP port 1235 (default OpenRA query port)
Step 7: Invite Players
Share your server’s public IP address and the game’s port (default: 1234) with your friends. They can now connect to your OpenRA game server using the OpenRA game client.
Conclusion
Hosting an OpenRA game server on Ubuntu 18.04 allows you to enjoy classic real-time strategy games with friends and the gaming community. By following this tutorial and customizing your server settings, you can create a fun and engaging gaming experience. Remember to keep your server and games updated to ensure a smooth and enjoyable gameplay environment.