Open Source Game Servers
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Game Servers
View related business solutionsBrowse free open source Game Servers and projects below. Use the toggles on the left to filter open source Game Servers by OS, license, language, programming language, and project status.
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Sunshine
Self-hosted game stream host for Moonlight
Sunshine is an open-source self‑hosted cloud gaming server that implements NVIDIA’s GameStream protocol. Compatible with Moonlight clients across platforms, it supports low‑latency streaming via software or hardware encoding (AMD/Intel/NVIDIA) and offers a browser‑based control UI for pairing. -
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Arianne RPG
Arianne is an engine to develop multiplayer online games like Stendhal
Arianne is a multiplayer online engine to develop turn based and real time games, providing a simple way of creating the game server rules and clients like our MORPG Stendhal. Our engine Marauroa uses Java and SQL for hosting hundreds of players on a solo host. Stendhal is a fun friendly and free multiplayer online adventure game with a huge and rich world. With hundreds of NPCs and different quests, features like the Travel log and achievement system keep track of progress. Thousands of creatures are ready to fight, above and below ground, and as players level up they can compare themselves on a detailed stats website. The engine Marauroa provides a simple way of creating games on a portable and robust server architecture. Marauroa manages the client server communication and provides an object orientated view of the world for game developers. It handles database access in a transparent way to store player accounts, character progress and the state of the world -
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<b>The project is continued at https://github.com/Scrabble3D. Find the latest program version under Binaries.</b> Scrabble3D is a highly customizable Scrabble game that not only supports Classic Scrabble and Superscrabble but also 3D games and own boards. You can play local against the computer or connect to a game server to find other players.
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LinuxGSM
The command-line tool for quick, simple deployment and management
LinuxGSM is the command-line tool for quick, simple deployment and management of Linux dedicated game servers. Traditionally game servers are not easy to manage yourself. Admins often have to spend hours messing around trying to get their server working. LinuxGSM is a command-line tool designed to be as simple as possible, allowing admins to spend less time on management and more time gaming. LinuxGSM will run on popular distros as long as the minimum requirements are met. Each game server has specific dependency requirements. Visit a specific game server installation page on the LinuxGSM website to check dependency requirements for the game server you want to install. LinuxGSM keeps itself and your game server updated. Using methods available from game developers to update including, SteamCMD, custom JSON or file archives, LinuxGSM can make sure you are running the latest version of your game server. -
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Skynet
A lightweight online game framework
Skynet is a lightweight online game framework which can be used in many other fields. Skynet is a lightweight framework designed for online game servers. Although from the feedback of the Community , it's not limited as a game server framework. On the Uses page, it shows a few projects that have used or currently using Skynet, but there are way more projects than listed. And welcome to be the next user. For Linux, install autoconf first for jemalloc. For FreeBSD , use gmake instead of make. Skynet now uses a modified version of lua 5.4.2 for multiple lua states. Official Lua versions can also be used as long as the Makefile is edited. With Socket API and SocketChannel , which makes it easier to implement socket pool and reconnect, you can use Skynet to call socket even asynchronously. Skynet doesn't force a specific protocol, you can come up with your own design. -
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Moon
A lightweight game server framework implemented with Actor Model
Moon is a lightweight game server framework based on the actor model. One worker thread can have one or more actors (services), which communicate with each other through message queues. There are many features for game server development. -
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Uptime Kuma
A fancy self-hosted monitoring tool
Uptime Kuma is an easy-to-use self-hosted monitoring tool. It is a temporary live demo, all data will be deleted after 10 minutes. Use the one that is closer to you, but I suggest that you should install and try it out for the best demo experience. Monitoring uptime for HTTP(s) / TCP / HTTP(s) Keyword / Ping / DNS Record / Push / Steam Game Server / Docker Containers. Notifications via Telegram, Discord, Gotify, Slack, Pushover, Email (SMTP), and 90+ notification services, click here for the full list. -
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PufferPanel
PufferPanel is an open source game server management panel
The simplest, free, open source game management panel. PufferPanel is an open source game server management panel designed to be easy to use and easy to install. PufferPanel supports Minecraft, Forge, Spigot, Sponge, Source Dedicated Servers, BungeeCord, PocketMine, Forge, and much more. In addition to being a free and open source project, PufferPanel provides an easy-to-use interface for everyone from individual users to large networks or companies. We strive to create a friendly community, and we would love for you to join us. -
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AzerothCore
Complete Open Source and Modular solution for MMO
AzerothCore is a fully open-source MMORPG server framework designed to recreate the gameplay experience of World of Warcraft’s Wrath of the Lich King expansion in a customizable and self-hosted environment. It is written primarily in C++ and provides a complete backend infrastructure for running private game servers, including world simulation, player interaction, combat systems, and database-driven content. The project is highly modular, allowing developers to extend or modify game behavior through plugins and custom modules without altering the core engine. It emphasizes stability and “blizzlike” accuracy, meaning it strives to replicate the original mechanics of the official game as closely as possible. The framework is also used as an educational resource for understanding how large-scale online game servers are structured and maintained. It includes tools for managing server configuration, content scripting, and database operations. -
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Agones
Dedicated Game Server Hosting and Scaling for Multiplayer Games
Multiplayer dedicated game servers anywhere. An open source, batteries-included, multiplayer dedicated game server scaling and orchestration platform that can run anywhere Kubernetes can run. Define and manage groups of ready-game servers through YAML configuration or API calls. Integrated SDK for managing game server lifecycle, health and configuration. Integration with OpenCensus for platform-independent game server metrics and monitoring dashboards. Agones replaces usual bespoke or proprietary cluster management and game server scaling solutions with a Kubernetes cluster that includes the Agones custom Kubernetes Controller and matching Custom Resource Definitions for GameServers, Fleets and more. With Agones, Kubernetes gets native abilities to create, run, manage and scale dedicated game server processes within Kubernetes clusters using standard Kubernetes tooling and APIs. This model also allows any matchmaker to interact directly with Agones via the Kubernetes API. -
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Graph NotebookAmazon GameLift Unity
Access GameLift resources and integrate GameLift into your Unity game
The Amazon GameLift Plugin for Unity contains libraries and native UI that makes it easier to access GameLift resources and integrate GameLift into your Unity game. You can use the GameLift Unity Plugin to access GameLift APIs and deploy AWS CloudFormation templates for common gaming scenarios. Auth Only, this scenario creates a game backend service that performs only player authentication and no game server capability. It creates a Cognito user pool to store player authentication information, as well as an API gateway REST endpoint backed up AWS Lambda handlers to start a game and view game connection information. The Lambda handler always returns a 501 Error (Unimplemented). Single-Region Fleet, this scenario creates a game backend service with a single GameLift fleet. After player authenticates and starts a game (with a POST request to /start_game), a AWS Lambda handler searches for an existing viable game session with an open player slot on the fleet. -
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Nakama
Distributed server for social and realtime games and apps
Distributed server for social and real-time games and apps. Users can connect with friends, and join groups. A built-in social graph to see how users can be connected. Extend the server with custom logic written in Lua, TypeScript/JavaScript, or native Go code. Build scalable games and apps with a production-ready server used by ambitious game studios and app developers all around the world. -
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Docker Minecraft Server
Docker image that provides a Minecraft Server for Java Edition
A Docker image and CLI utility by "itzg" for running a complete Minecraft Java Edition server in a container. It automatically downloads the latest stable game version, supports mods, plugins, snapshots, and simplifies orchestration in Docker or Docker Compose environments. -
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NoahGameFrame
A fast, scalable, distributed game server engine/framework for C++
A fast, scalable, distributed game server engine/framework for C++, including the actor library, and network library, can be used as a real-time multiplayer game engine ( MMO RPG/MOBA ), which supports C#/Lua script/ Unity3d, Cocos2dx and plan to support Unreal. Easy-to-use, interface-oriented design. An extensible plugin framework that makes getting your application running quick and easy. A clean, uncluttered design and stable engine that has been used in several commercial products. A high-performance actor model (by a safe thread pool). Event and attribute-driven, making it clear and easy to maintain your business. Based on standard C++ development, ensuring cross-platform support. An existing C++ and C# game client for rapid development. Cross-platform support. -
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Azuriom
Azuriom is a complete open-source web solution for game servers
Azuriom is a complete open-source web solution for game servers. Enjoy dozens of extensions for endless possibilities. Already trusted by over 1,800 servers. Azuriom is a complete free and open-source web solution for game servers. Enjoy dozens of extensions for endless possibilities. Dozens of extensions can be installed directly from the admin dashboard. Monetize your server with our shop, build a community with our forums, or spruce up your site with one of our many gorgeous themes. Azuriom is an open-source project. You don’t have to worry about expensive shop fees or bad hosting. You host your site where you want and even customize it as needed. Azuriom is a complete open-source web solution for game servers. Enjoy dozens of extensions for endless possibilities. Already trusted by over 1,800 servers, cumulating with more than two million users. -
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MangosZero
Mangos ZERO is a server for World of Warcraft
Mangos is an open source project written in C++. It's fast, runs on multiple platforms and stores game data in MySQL or MariaDB. It also has optional support for SOAP. The server supports a wide range of operating systems and various compiler platforms. In order to do that, we use various free cross-platform libraries and use CMake (v3.12+) to provide a cross-platform build system that adapts to your chosen operating system and compiler. -
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Live Game Server List (LGSL)
LGSL (Live Game for PHP 5.4-8+: online status for various gameservers
LGSL (Live Game Server List) for PHP 5.4-8.3+: online status for Discord, FiveM, Rust, CS, SA:MP, GMOD, Minecraft, Source Query, etc. -
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Grasscutter
A server software reimplementation for a certain anime game
Grasscutter is an open-source Java server reimplementation for a certain anime-style online game, created for private server emulation and research. It uses Java 17, MongoDB, and Gradle, and it has an ecosystem that includes documentation, a launcher, plugins, and community tooling. The project allows users to run a compatible server environment for specific supported game client versions, but it is not actively maintained in the same way it once was. Current documentation warns that version matching matters and that support is limited, especially beyond the older supported release range. Grasscutter is most relevant to developers interested in reverse engineering, server emulation, game protocol research, and modding communities. Because it interacts with proprietary game clients and services, it should be used only in lawful, authorized, and non-commercial contexts. -
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NSV13
NSV13, a Ship-to-ship Combat SS13 Server
NSV13 is a standalone fork/mod of Space Station 13, themed around ship-to-ship combat. Set aboard warships, it allows players to perform roles such as captain, gunner, pilot and crew. It requires compilation via DreamMaker or custom build tools (Windows batch or Unix scripts). The game emphasizes teamwork, wartime strategy, and immersive multiplayer gameplay. -
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NettyGameServer
A mobile game distributed server implemented using netty4.X
A mobile game distributed server implemented using netty4.X, supports tcp, udp, http, websocket links, uses protobuf custom protocol stack for network communication, supports rpc remote calls, uses mybatis3 to support db storage sub-database sub-table, supports asynchronous mysql Storage, update the reids cache synchronously when the db is saved. Use the ExcelToCode project to generate java classes and json data dictionaries from excel data, and DictService directly reads json to reduce part of the data dictionary code. Use the game-executor project to increase the asynchronous event global service in the game, support event sharding, and balance asynchronous execution event logic. Use netty's proxy mode to increase gateway proxy forwarding. -
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Apollo Station
The best code this side of the galaxy
ApolloStation is a community-driven SS13-derived codebase aiming to evolve the genre. Though specifics are sparse in the repo itself, it builds on SS13 principles with an emphasis on modularity and maintainability. -
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Leaf
A game server framework in Go (golang)
Leaf, written in Go, is a open-source game server framework aiming to boost efficiency both in development and runtime. Simple APIs. Leaf tends to provide simple and plain interfaces which are always best for use. Self-healing. Leaf always tries to salvage the process from runtime errors instead of leaving it to crash. Multi-core support. Leaf utilize its modules and leaf/go to make use of CPU resouces at maximum while avoiding varieties of side effects may be caused. Each module runs inside a separate goroutine. Modules communicate with one another via a light weight RPC channel(leaf/chanrpc). Leaf suggests not to take in too many modules in your game server implementation. Gate module, for management of connection. Login module, for user authentication. Game module, for the main business. -
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QStat is a command-line utility for collecting real-time statistics from on-line game servers. The games supported are generally limited to the first-person-shooter genre (Quake, Half-Life, Unreal, etc). Statistics may be output in a variety of form
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ASAM is a Ark Ascended dedicated server manager. Able to install and manage large clusters with different settings seamlessly. Built to fix what other launchers were lacking in control and simplicity.
Open Source Game Servers Guide
Open source game servers are an open source alternative to traditional, commercial game servers that are becoming increasingly popular. Open source game servers allow gamers to host their own custom–made games on a server of their own. By using the open source code, they can modify and customize the game as much or as little as they want. This flexibility makes open source game servers ideal for those wanting to create a unique gaming experience for themselves or their friends.
One of the main advantages of open source game servers is that they’re completely free and don’t require any licenses or fees for use. Compared with commercial products, it’s easy to get up and running quickly without having to worry about licensing costs or other financial concerns. In addition, most open source games offer more customization options than commercial ones, allowing gamers to create a truly unique experience tailored just for them. And since the source code of these games is usually freely available, gamers can modify it however they please.
Another benefit is that since these types of servers are generally run by hobbyists who are passionate about gaming, there’s often a stellar level of support available in terms of troubleshooting and bug fixes. Experienced gamers can even provide help when needed, making sure everyone has an enjoyable gaming experience on the server. Plus, because these games don’t cost anything upfront there aren’t any hidden fees lurking around every corner – so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
The only downside to open source game servers is that since they rely on volunteer work from passionate gamers, there may not always be frequent updates available like there would with a commercial product. However this isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it simply means that those who love the particular version of the game being hosted will always have access to it without worrying about changes ruining their experience. Additionally, most developers are very active in terms of responding quickly when issues arise – so any problems can typically be taken care of in no time flat.
All things considered then, open source game servers offer numerous benefits compared with their traditional counterparts: freedom from costly licenses and fees; greater customization options; helpful support systems; and no hidden charges at all. With this in mind, it's easy to see why they're quickly becoming one of the top choices among serious gamers looking for an immersive experience without breaking the bank.
Features Offered by Open Source Game Servers
- Online Gaming: Open source game servers provide a platform for playing online games with other players connected from different parts of the world. It allows them to compete or collaborate in an interactive environment with robust and secure connections.
- Customization Options: Game servers allow users to customize their gaming experience by creating and managing online worlds, modifying existing games, and building new ones. They can also create virtual environments that can be modified with scripting languages like Lua or JavaScript.
- Dedicated Server Support: Most open source game servers are designed to run on dedicated hardware, meaning they are specifically designed to handle large loads of data without compromising performance or stability. This helps ensure the smooth running of gaming sessions and prevents server crashes due to heavy load.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Open source game servers are designed to work across multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, macOS and others. This ensures that users can access their favorite games regardless of their operating system or device type.
- Low Cost: Since open source game servers are free to download and use, they often cost less than proprietary solutions. This makes them more accessible for people who may not have the resources to purchase expensive licenses for commercial software.
- Modding Support: Open source game servers usually come bundled with modding support tools which enable players to create custom levels, modify character appearances, add content packs, etc., allowing them to tailor their gaming experiences however they would like.
- Security: Open source game servers are designed with security in mind, making them highly reliable and safe for use. They feature built-in encryption protocols that ensure all data transmissions and communications remain secure and free from any malicious attacks or exploits.
- Community Support: Open source game servers often have strong communities of developers, modders and players. This allows users to get help with their projects or find resources to improve their gaming experience.
Different Types of Open Source Game Servers
- Dedicated Server: This type of open source game server requires the user to host the game on their own machine, either by renting a physical computer or hosting it in a virtual environment. Dedicated servers usually have advanced features and greater control over how the game is hosted, allowing customization and scalability.
- Peer-to-Peer Network: This type of open source game server allows multiple users to join in and share resources for playing games online. A peer-to-peer network enables communication between machines on the same network, with no central server required. The resources are shared between all of the participating players, making this an economical way to play online games.
- Client/Server Model: In this type of open source game server setup, one centralized computer acts as a “server” that hosts the game data, while other “client” computers connect to it and access the necessary information for gameplay. In addition to having advantages in performance, client/server models also allow for hosting public or private games and dedicated servers can be set up if needed.
- Shared Hosted Solution: These types of open source game servers make use of shared resources such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), which provide cloud computing solutions for developers looking to host their applications or games online. With these solutions, you get access to powerful hardware at a fraction of the cost compared to buying your own physical machine or running a dedicated server solution.
- Hybrid Model: This type of open source game server is a combination of the other models, allowing for both dedicated hosting and shared hosting in one setup. Hybrid models are mostly used for large-scale online gaming platforms that need to balance between performance and flexibility.
Advantages Provided by Open Source Game Servers
Open source game servers provide a variety of benefits, including:
- Cost Savings: Open source game servers are usually free to use, saving businesses the cost of purchasing proprietary software. Additionally, they allow for highly customizable solutions that suit specific needs, reducing the cost associated with buying multiple server licenses.
- Increased Flexibility: Open source game servers provide an increased level of flexibility and customization not available with other types of server software. They can be easily modified and tailored to fit unique requirements, allowing for more dynamic gameplay options.
- Enhanced Security: Open source game servers are extremely secure due to their extensive network architecture and strong encryption methods. These features help protect both gamers’ data as well as sensitive information stored on the server itself.
- Better Performance: Open source game servers offer a smoother experience compared to traditional server solutions due to its optimized coding techniques that maximize resources while minimizing errors. This ensures faster response times and better performance overall.
- Improved Collaboration: The open source nature of these type of game servers allows developers from different backgrounds to collaborate on code or make modifications without needing permission from anyone else; this leads to innovative solutions in shorter time frames than would otherwise be possible.
- Simplified Maintenance: Open source game servers require little to no maintenance, allowing developers and administrators to focus on other tasks. Additionally, they are easy to troubleshoot in the event of an issue.
Types of Users That Use Open Source Game Servers
- Casual Gamers: People who enjoy playing video games casually on their own or with a few friends. They mainly look for quick and easy game servers, as well as low-cost options that don't require too much technical know-how.
- Professional Gamers: Gamers who are serious about competing at the highest levels of competitive gaming. These users need powerful and reliable hardware and software to ensure they have the best gaming experience possible.
- Streamers: Professional streamers who make a living off of streaming videos of them playing games on an open source game server. These users require robust hardware capabilities to handle high-quality streaming and large numbers of viewers simultaneously.
- Modders: Creative gamers who use game modification tools to create custom content for open source game servers. They usually look for servers that can run popular modding software, such as SourceMod, in addition to stable networks and low latency connections.
- Hosts: Businesses or individuals looking to set up their own open source gaming server for hosting events or tournaments online with other players around the world. Hosts typically prefer more high-end hardware solutions that can accommodate large numbers of simultaneous players without experiencing lag or other performance issues.
- Power Users: People who love tinkering with networks, servers, and other technical components in order to customize gaming experiences according to their specifications. Power users often prefer self-hosted solutions so they have complete control over their gaming environment.
- Developers: Software developers who use open source game servers to build and test their games before releasing them to the public. These users need reliable hardware and software solutions that can accommodate their custom game code.
How Much Do Open Source Game Servers Cost?
Open source game servers can vary in cost, depending on the type of server you need. For example, basic servers used to host a small, private game for a few people may be free or very low-cost. On the other hand, more complex open source game servers that support thousands of players at once and require large amounts of storage space may come with a higher price tag.
The exact cost largely depends on the features and capabilities you need for your gaming experience. Fees may include setup costs, hardware costs if needed, software installation fees, or monthly subscription fees based on your server's usage (such as storage and bandwidth). Ultimately, the level of customization you desire and required server resources will determine how much an open source game server will cost.
What Do Open Source Game Servers Integrate With?
There are several types of software that can integrate with open source game servers. Business intelligence tools such as Power BI, Tableau and SAP Lumira enable users to analyze data about participants in gaming sessions, allowing them to better understand how their gaming experiences can be optimized. Additionally, cloud-based hosting providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure provide solutions for running these open source game servers in the cloud, providing a secure and reliable platform for gamers to enjoy. Finally, collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams and Discord make it easier for players to interact with each other during their gaming sessions. All of these types of software help enhance the open source game experience by providing a more comprehensive support system for both developers and users alike.
What Are the Trends Relating to Open Source Game Servers?
- Open source game servers are gaining popularity due to the flexibility they offer users. Players can customize their servers according to their individual needs and preferences. This is especially beneficial for players who want to create a unique gaming experience.
- Open source game servers also offer cost savings. They are usually free and often have fewer overhead costs than proprietary game servers. Furthermore, many open source game servers offer access to a wide range of resources such as mods, plugins, and scripts that can be used to further customize the server.
- Additionally, open source game servers provide an element of security not found in other types of game servers. By having open source code available for review, players can be sure their server is secure and reliable.
- The scalability of an open source server is another advantage. It's easy to upgrade or add features in order to meet changing user demands without breaking the bank.
- Finally, open source community support is an invaluable asset when running an open source server. With forums dedicated exclusively to discussing gaming topics related to running an open source server, experienced players are often willing and able to help newbies get their server up and running quickly and easily.
Getting Started With Open Source Game Servers
Getting started with using open source game servers is a relatively straightforward process. Depending on the type of game server desired, there are several options available to make setting up and running an open source game server a breeze.
The first step in getting started with open source game servers is to download the appropriate software. This can be done directly from the official website of the specific server type, or through an online repository. Additionally, some popular gaming platforms provide their own custom versions of open source game servers that can be used instead.
Once your chosen software is downloaded and installed, it’s time to configure it for use with your particular setup. Depending on your network and hardware setup, this could involve updating settings related to IP address configuration, port forwarding (which allows other players to connect to your server), or setting up authentication so only authorized users have access to your server.
Once all necessary configurations have been made, you’ll be ready to start hosting games on your server. You may need to select certain options depending on what type of game you want people to play on your server. For example, if you’re running an FPS-style shooter, you may need to enable deathmatch mode or specify how many rounds each match will last for. Alternatively, if you’re running a role-playing game (RPG) style server then configuring player levels and starting equipment might be necessary.
Finally, after all these preparations are complete it’s time for the main event; inviting others into your newly created gaming realm. Advertising via social media channels such as Facebook or Twitter can help spread word about your new server quickly and easily among friends or family members who might also enjoy participating in whatever activity has been set up on the server. Alternatively, there are various online forums dedicated solely for discussing multiplayer gaming experiences which could prove useful in finding players who wish join in on whatever experience has been put together on the open source game server being hosted.
