Many of the most commonly played PC games use Steam* for their multiplayer architecture, which offers a convenient and centralized way to set up a dedicated gaming server.īefore you start, you’ll need to check out the Dedicated Servers list in the Steam* developer wiki to make sure that the game you’re looking to host is supported. Setting Up a Dedicated Server with Steam* (You don't have to worry about this if you're setting up a local area network (LAN) that is only being used by friends on the same network.) One thing to keep in mind is that, unless you have high upload and download speeds, users connecting to your server over the internet may experience connectivity issues and lag. You can experience the game the way you want, with less lag, and fewer dropped connections. With this setup, you’re reliant on the connection of whoever gets chosen as host, so a poor host connection means a poor experience for everyone.īut with a dedicated gaming server for compatible games, you can play your favorite multiplayer games with fewer limits on performance and stability. P2P allows one player to dynamically act as a host that facilitates the connections of other players. P2P hosting is another popular choice for modern multiplayer gaming. This server configuration works for most people, but there are disadvantages, such as a lack of customizability.

Client servers are run by the main host (usually the game publisher or console manufacturer), which manages connections from many individual players. Public multiplayer uses either client servers or peer-to-peer (P2P) hosting, both of which have shortcomings.

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