How to set up your own CS:GO server

Playing a multiplayer game, like CS:GO with your friends can be a marvelous experience. However, finding the right solution offering high-quality gaming experience might need some effort. While there are various free gaming servers, they are often overcrowded and can suffer lags in performance. A great solution might just be getting your own gaming server and configuring it on your own. Finding the right server for your business can also require some research into available options and your needs. After that what remains is the proper server configuration, to which we’ll dedicate the following article.

Why rent a server for CS:GO?

As we’ve already mentioned, there are various options for creating a multiplayer game for CS:GO. The question is, why exactly rent a server for it, and what are its benefits?

There are two other options: either start a joint game hosted on your PC or join the Steam community shared servers.

In the first case, you can start pretty quickly. However, you’ll require a powerful PC for the game to run smoothly. Moreover, the gameplay quality will also rely on your internet speed connection and your location. And most importantly, in this game configuration, there will be restrictions, so you won’t be able to enjoy the full game’s potential.

On the community servers, you’ll face a similar problem, but the restrictions might be even more severe.

Therefore, if you play often and you want a fully smooth and enjoyable gaming experience at a nearly professional level, the optimal solution will be to rent a dedicated server for this purpose. Unlike previous solutions, a dedicated server will allow you to implement any configuration and modification possible. It will guarantee quick and seamless performance while also being rather cost-efficient and flexible — in any case, better than a second PC. Now, let’s have a closer look at setting up your CS:GO gaming server.

Configuring a CS:GO dedicated server

As soon as you’ve found a proper server for your gaming needs, you can directly move on to setting up your server.

Step 1. Connect to the server

Before configuring your server, you’ll need to connect to your dedicated server. You’ll need the IP address or domain name of the server, as well as login credentials (username and password). The connection will also depend on the operating system you use on your server and on your PC. You can connect to Windows Server via Remote Desktop Protocol built-in in Windows, or with the Remmina RDP client if you connect from Linux. Linux server can be accessed from the Linux command line or via the PUTTY SSH client for Windows.

Step 2. Get SteamCMD

SteamCMD is a utility that is required to configure servers for games from Steam. You can download it from the official website. Download it to the corresponding directory on your server and install the program.

Step 3. Install CS:GO dedicated server

First, set the installation directory for CS:GO:
force_install_dir C:\csgo-ds\

Login to Steam by typing: 

login anonymous

Now, download CS:GO server files with the command: 

app_update 740 validate

Step 4. Generate Game Server Login Token

To deploy your CS:GO server beyond a local network, you need to link it to an official Steam account using a Game Server Login Token (GSLT) in order to comply with Valve's guidelines. To generate the token, follow these steps:

1. Go to Steam game server account management and log in with your Steam account or the Steam account you want to link the server to.
2. Enter the app ID of the base game (not the server app ID!) which is '730' for 'Counter-Strike: Global Offensive'. You can also add an optional description of the token.
3. Click on 'Create' to generate the token.
4. Save the generated token in a separate document or make a note of it, as you'll need it to connect to the server. You can also find the token in the Steam game server account management at any time.

Step 5. Configure the server settings

Navigate to the "csgo/cfg" directory where the server configuration files are located. You can modify the server settings using the "server.cfg" file. You can also set up the server to use custom maps, plugins, and other add-ons.

Step 6. Start the server

Run the "srcds_run" script in the "csgo" directory to start the server. You can pass command-line arguments to the script to customize the server settings.

Step 7. Connect to the server

Once the server is running, you can connect to it using the CS:GO game client. Open the game, go to the "Play" menu, and select "Browse Community Servers." Enter the IP address and port number of your server to connect to it.

Conclusion

CS:GO multiplayer can be a great experience and it can become much better with a dedicated server. We hope that this guide was clear enough and soon you’ll be able to enjoy your gaming experience to the fullest.

Author Bio:

I am Valentyn, an experienced hosting expert and content writer at HostZealot. With 3 years of experience, I stay updated with the latest trends in the field and enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. I have a strong desire to provide comprehensive information on any topic related to hosting, ensuring that you have all the necessary details to make an informed decision about your web projects.