This guide covers how to set up your OpenArena dedicated server on Legion Hosting, configure startup variables, edit server.cfg, set up map rotation, and connect to your server. OpenArena is a community-produced free deathmatch FPS based on GPL id Tech 3 technology (the Quake III Arena engine). For admin commands, bot management, and troubleshooting, see OpenArena Admin Commands.
1. First Start
- Log in to GPanel and select your OpenArena server.
- Go to the Startup tab and review the configurable variables (see Section 2).
- Set your preferred starting map via GAME_MAP (default is
aggressor). - Return to the Console tab and click Start.
- Wait for the console to display
AAS initializedto confirm the server is ready.
2. GPanel Startup Variables
| Variable | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
GAME_MAP | aggressor | Map loaded on start. See the map list for all available maps. |
3. Server Configuration (server.cfg)
For detailed settings, create or edit server.cfg. Stop the server before making changes.
File Location
baseoa/server.cfgUses Quake-style set/seta key "value" syntax.
Key Settings
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
sv_hostname | (empty) | Server name shown in the server browser. |
sv_maxclients | 8 | Maximum players (including bots). |
g_password | (empty) | Join password. Empty = public. |
rconPassword | (empty) | Remote console password. |
g_gametype | 0 | Game mode (see Section 4). |
timelimit | 15 | Time limit per map in minutes. |
fraglimit | 30 | Frag limit to end the round. |
sv_pure | 0 | Enforce file integrity. 1 = pure mode. |
bot_minplayers | 0 | Minimum players (bots fill empty slots). |
Example server.cfg
seta sv_hostname "My Legion OpenArena Server"
seta sv_maxclients 16
seta g_password ""
seta rconPassword "MySecretRcon"
seta g_gametype 0
seta timelimit 15
seta fraglimit 30
seta bot_minplayers 4To load the config, add +exec server.cfg to the GAME_MAP startup variable or execute it at runtime via the console.
4. Game Modes
| Value | Mode | Description |
|---|---|---|
0 | Free For All (FFA) | Classic deathmatch. Most frags wins. |
1 | Tournament (1v1) | One-on-one deathmatch. |
3 | Team Deathmatch (TDM) | Team-based deathmatch. |
4 | Capture the Flag (CTF) | Classic CTF mode. |
5 | One Flag CTF | Single neutral flag CTF variant. |
6 | Overload | Destroy the enemy base's skull. |
7 | Harvester | Collect enemy skulls and deliver to base. |
8 | Elimination | Round-based, no respawning. |
9 | CTF Elimination | CTF with elimination rounds. |
10 | Last Man Standing | Limited lives deathmatch. |
11 | Double Domination | Control two points simultaneously. |
12 | Domination | Hold control points for score. |
5. Map Rotation
Set map rotation in server.cfg using set chains:
set d1 "map oa_dm1; set nextmap vstr d2"
set d2 "map oa_dm2; set nextmap vstr d3"
set d3 "map aggressor; set nextmap vstr d1"
vstr d1This cycles through oa_dm1, oa_dm2, and aggressor in order.
6. How to Connect
Option A -- Server Browser
- Launch OpenArena.
- Click Multiplayer.
- Find your server in the browser or use Specify to enter the IP directly.
Option B -- Console Connect
- Open the console (
~). - Type:
connect <your-server-ip>:<port>
Related Articles
Need Help?
If you run into issues with your OpenArena server that are not covered here, open a support ticket and include your server IP, a description of the problem, and any relevant error messages from the GPanel console.
