SETTING UP A SERVER

[jannesBB]

There are two ways to host a multiplayer game for Wreckfest:

• Hosting in-game
  
• Dedicated server

HOSTING IN-GAME

This is as simple as starting the game, going to the multiplayer menu and creating a server. This is a very valid option if you want to create a custom lobby and play yourself too on the same system, since not running a separate server instance on the same system is more performance friendly.

Even if you host in-game please bear in mind that in effect you will be running a server on your computer, meaning that you still need to forward required ports on your router. Please see below for more information on the port forwarding requirements.

DEDICATED SERVER

A dedicated server can be run on your own workstation or on a rented hosting service. Everything you need to run a dedicated server is included with the game, but for flexibility, you can also use SteamCMD to download the dedicated server tool anonymously (meaning that you don't need to own the game). Running Steam is not required for the operation of the dedicated server.

Especially when running a dedicated server hosted externally, it's a good idea to add your SteamID (SteamID64 specifically) to the server configuration to automatically receive admin privileges when you join the server. You can do so by using "admin_steam_ids=" server parameter. To find out your SteamID, you can use for example Steam ID Finder[steamidfinder.com].

Running the server

If you have the game installed, navigate to its installation folder, and you will find a file named initial_server_config.cfg. This is the server's base configuration file containing its name, description, possible event rotation setup and of course the event rules. It's a smart move to make a backup of the file before modifying just in case something goes south.

After you're happy with your configuration, you can launch the server by executing start_server.bat. At this point, a copy of the initial_server_config.cfg will be created, named server_config.cfg, and this is the actual config file that the server will use. This also means that you should make any future adjustments to server_config.cfg, unless of course you delete it, in which case the initial config will be copied over again. If everything works out, a server console will appear and you will see a notification that the server is connected to Steam.

Setting up with SteamCMD

Like mentioned, you can also download the dedicated server tool anonymously (without using a Steam account) by using SteamCMD. If you haven't installed or used SteamCMD before, you will do well to read the official instructions on Valve's page here. Basically all you need to do is to download the installation archive and extract the contents where you want to. After extraction, run "steamcmd.exe" and you're greeted with the SteamCMD console.

Once in the console, type:

login anonymous
force_install_dir <path>
app_update 361580 validate

After you're done, the server files will be waiting for you in the chosen installation location (<path>) and you can go ahead and start configuring the server.

PORT FORWARDING

Forwarding correct ports is an absolutely requirement for hosting a multiplayer game. If you have created a server yet there are no players joining it, chances are your router or firewall is incorrectly configured. In order to host multiplayer games over Steam your network must be configured to allow Steam access to the following ports:

• UDP 27015
  
• UDP 27016
  
• UDP 33540
  
• TCP 27015

After having been set up, your port configuration should look like this:

https://i.imgur.com/euPwXz6.jpg

The local IP needs be that of the computer acting as a host. You can find out the local IP by invoking a command prompt (press Windows + R, type "cmd" and press Enter), typing "ipconfig" and pressing Enter again. You'll see a bunch of information, but the line you want to look for is "IPv4 Address" - the number at the end of that line is your local IP address.

Also make sure that your firewall is configured to allow inbound and outbound communication of the server/game executable. Many office networks and proxies block required ports for Steam operation – please consult your network administrator to ensure the required ports are open if you are using an office network or a proxy.

LAUNCHING THE SERVER

In addition to using the included start_server.bat, you can also launch the server and manually supply the config file with the command:

start /B server\Wreckfest.exe -s server_config=<config>

When launching the server, you can also override any of the server configuration settings from the command line by using "-server_set" command line switch, followed by any settings that you want to override.

For example, to set the server name when launching it:

Wreckfest.exe -s server_config=<config> -server_set server_name=<servername>

All server settings are supported.

SERVER COMMANDS AND LIVE SETTINGS

You can list the server and chat commands by typing "help" in the server console.

Below is a list of all server commands that can be executed in the chat window:

/message [new message] - send a message to the chat
/kick [id] - kick a player
/ban [id] - ban a player
/bansteamid [steam id] - ban a Steam id
/unban [ban index] - lift a ban, use "bans" for ban indices
/unbansteamid [steam id] - lift a ban by steam id
/clearbans - clear all bans
/balanceteams - balance teams
/restart - server restart
/bot - add a bot
/op [id] - add moderator privileges
/opsteamid [steam id] - add moderator privileges by steam id
/admin [id] - add admin privileges
/adminsteamid [steam id] - add admin privileges by steam id
/demote [id] - clear admin and moderator privileges
/demotesteamid [steam id] - clear admin and moderator privileges by steam id
/password [new password] - set password
/servername [new server name] - set name of the server
/welcome [new welcome message] - set the welcome message
/eventloop - toggle automatic event rotation if configured

These are the server commands that can be only executed in the server console:

list - print player list
bans - print ban list
admins - print list of user privileges
clearusers - clear user privileges
tracks - list tracks
gamemodes - list game modes
cars - list cars
weathers - list weathers
exit - close application
? - list server and event settings 

You can also modify all server config parameters directly in the server console, these parameters you can view by typing "?" in the console. Note that the modified config parameters are not saved in the server config file, though.

EVENT ROTATION

Event rotation can be enabled by simply configuring a list of events, each starting with "el_add=trackname" server parameter, and then using "/eventloop" server command to start (and disable) rotation at your discretion.

To get you started, at the end of the initial_server_config_cfg you will find a simple event rotation example that you can modify to your liking and enable by removing the first "#" on every line. You can adjust each server parameter per event, overriding corresponding global settings for the event in question. Note that the global setting will be used for any parameters not set, not the setting of the previous event in rotation.

PERFORMANCE

The number of clients the host can support in multiplayer is determined by the available upstream bandwidth and the system specifications of the host. Thus, if you have a connection with limited upstream bandwidth such as 8/1 Mb/s ADSL (8 Mb/s downstream, 1 Mb/s upstream) and a low-spec system, it's best to start with a moderately low client number like 8 and increase the number gradually until the bandwidth limit of your connection and setup is found. Also, when hosting in-game it's best to keep your quality settings as low as possible to ensure best possible performance.

SERVER UPDATE FREQUENCY

In the server settings, there's this mysterious parameter called server update frequency that can be set to low or high. In practice, it means how often the server updates the clients - setting the update frequency to low means that the server sends fewer network packets, lowering the bandwidth usage, but at the same time clients need to predict more, increasing the CPU time of the client used for prediction. On the other hand, setting the update frequency to high results in the server sending more network packets, increasing bandwidth usage but reducing the prediction that the clients need to perform, thus reducing they CPU usage.

TRACK LIST

List of current tracks on Google Docs, with preview images:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10tpRET18K7rIlvYC4An90y5KzeuSfEiBv5muAjFJHuk/edit#gid=779659675

Simple list of track ids:

#Big Valley Speedway
speedway2_classic_arena            
speedway2_demolition_arena      
speedway2_figure_8                     
speedway2_inner_oval                 
speedway2_outer_oval                 
speedway2_oval_loop

#Bloomfield Speedway
dirt_speedway_dirt_oval               
dirt_speedway_figure_8               

#Bonebreaker Valley
bonebreaker_valley_main_circuit

#Boulder Bank Circuit
sandpit3_long_loop                       
sandpit3_long_loop_rev                
sandpit3_short_loop                     
sandpit3_short_loop_rev   

#Clayridge Circuit			
mixed9_r1
mixed9_r1_rev

#Crash Canyon
crash_canyon_main_circuit            

#Deathloop
loop

#Dirt Devil Stadium
triangle_r1
triangle_r2

#Drytown Desert
fields08_1
fields08_1_rev

#Espedalen Raceway
tarmac3_main_circuit                     
tarmac3_main_circuit_rev              
tarmac3_short_circuit                    
tarmac3_short_circuit_rev

#Fairfield County
smallstadium_demolition_arena    

#Fairfield Mudpit               
mudpit_demolition_arena        

#Fairfield Grass Arena                 
grass_arena_demolition_arena    

#Finncross Circuit
mixed1_main_circuit                      
mixed1_main_circuit_rev  

#Fire Rock Raceway
tarmac1_main_circuit                     
tarmac1_main_circuit_rev              
tarmac1_short_circuit                    
tarmac1_short_circuit_rev  

#Firwood Motorcenter
mixed7_r1                                
mixed7_r1_rev                         
mixed7_r3                                
mixed7_r3_rev

#Glendale Countryside
field_derby_arena       

#Hellride
urban06

#Hilltop Stadium
speedway1_figure_8                     
speedway1_oval                           

#Kingston Raceway			
fields12_1
fields12_1_rev
fields12_2

#Maasten Motorcenter
mixed2_main_circuit                      
mixed2_main_circuit_rev

#Madman Stadium
bigstadium_demolition_arena
bigstadium_figure_8

#Midwest Motocenter
gravel1_main_loop                        
gravel1_main_loop_rev                 

#Motorcity Circuit
tarmac2_main_circuit                     
tarmac2_main_circuit_rev 

Mudford Motorpark			
fields10_1
fields10_2

#Northfolk Ring
mixed8_r1
mixed8_r2
mixed8_r3

#Northland Raceway
mixed5_outer_loop                       
mixed5_outer_loop_rev                
mixed5_inner_loop                        
mixed5_inner_loop_rev                 
mixed5_free_route   

#Pinehills Raceway
mixed3_long_loop                         
mixed3_long_loop_rev                  
mixed3_short_loop                        
mixed3_short_loop_rev

#Rockfield Roughspot
fields09_1

#Rosenheim Raceway
mixed4_main_circuit                      
mixed4_main_circuit_rev 

#Sandstone Raceway
sandpit1_long_loop                 
sandpit1_long_loop_rev          
sandpit1_short_loop                
sandpit1_short_loop_rev         
sandpit1_alt_loop                    
sandpit1_alt_loop_rev             

#Savolax Sandpit
sandpit2_2                               
sandpit2_2_rev                        
sandpit2_full_circuit                 
sandpit2_full_circuit_rev          

#The Maw
fields11_1

#Thunderbowl
urban07

#Tribend Raceway
forest12_1
forest12_1_rev
forest12_2

#Vale Falls
forest11_1
forest11_1_rev
forest11_2
forest11_2_rev

[Gomea]

Did wreakfest add an update were you dont have to port forward to run a server?

[The Stig]

@Laguna: Some nice person have done your job. You can find some example server_config.cfg files here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18-g1-I68g1B-9bumvV1HxUVcuD41DBczCyUGH3rdNiQ/edit?usp=sharing

To build it up by yourself, you can download here from Steam Workshop for Wreckfest program called Wreckfest Server Manager:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=712825572&searchtext=wreckfest+server+manager

[xgnshorty]

After pulling my hair out maybe this will stop others from loosing hair. I went around and around with the steamcmd. some things i got wrong 1. dont include these <> in the path or you will get a disk write failure. 2. if you get the error about "could not open file for writing :save/dedicated.ddst" go to your appdata wreckfest and uncheck read only. I hope that save someone else 3 or 4 hours of headache.

[The Stig]

@xgnshorty For future, if poor English is not your biggest problem, then check this Wreckfest Chronicle (Server tab):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18-g1-I68g1B-9bumvV1HxUVcuD41DBczCyUGH3rdNiQ/edit#gid=1552407705

[a292 [NPC]]

What is the difference in game between Moderator and Admin? So far it seems like Moderator can do everything Admin can do. Thanks.

[Purple44]

Originalmente postado por a292:

What is the difference in game between Moderator and Admin? So far it seems like Moderator can do everything Admin can do. Thanks.

Moderator can not Ban players or do hosting commands in the chat window, like /eventloop ( disable\ enable track rotation, add bots ( /bots ) and other hosting commands.

[a292 [NPC]]

Thanks for your reply!

[The Stig]

Moderator can kick players and add or remove bots.

[D.O.A.]

Where has the option gone to add A.I. drivers to my server from the lobby? How do you add drivers since the hot fixes?

[a292 [NPC]]

Thank you. I have one more question. For the ban steam id I have found several formats listed. Can you tell me which if any of the following is correct?

/bansteamid [1234567890]

/bansteamid 1234567890

/bansteamid1234567890

/bansteamid_1234567890

I have tried them all but there is no confirmation that it worked so I have no idea which, if any of them worked.

[The Stig]

@OTHG etc. You hosting by console or PC? Just type on chat windows "/bot" as meny times you wish add bots, one per time. /bot, /bot, /bot etc. On server_config.cfg file add on every eventloop configuration line "el_bots=".
@a292 /bansteamid (17 digit) is the correct syntax. There is more easy way: just mouse right clikc the player name and ban him/her (if you are admin).

[D.O.A.]

Originalmente postado por The Stig:

@OTHG etc. You hosting by console or PC? Just type on chat windows "/bot" as meny times you wish add bots, one per time. /bot, /bot, /bot etc. On server_config.cfg file add on every eventloop configuration line "el_bots=".
@a292 /bansteamid (17 digit) is the correct syntax. There is more easy way: just mouse right clikc the player name and ban him/her (if you are admin).

Thank you for the quick response.

I am hosting from within the game itself on a PC.

Before these hotfixes, when you were the host, there was a key you could hit each time in the lobby to add a bot. For instance, X on my Xbox 360 controller. Each press of the X button added one bot.

Why in the world would they take this away? It's stupid and tedious now.

So, if I want to add 23 bots to my server I have to type /bot 23 times in the chat line!

Now, if I want to change the bots so that they have to use the host's car (for instance I want all bots to use the school bus), they will all leave the server because initially their vehicle won't match mine. I have to change mine to a bus and then type /bot 23 times again in the chat line? Seriously? WTF

[a292 [NPC]]

Originalmente postado por The Stig:

@a292 /bansteamid (17 digit) is the correct syntax. There is more easy way: just mouse right clikc the player name and ban him/her (if you are admin).

Thank you! I did not try Parentheses.

The player in question left pretty quick, probably because none of us would respond to their foul comments. I believe they just stopped by to cause problems and probably won't be back. I wanted to ban them anyway just to be sure.

[Harry Nurpplez]

Originalmente postado por OTHG_D.O.A.:

Originalmente postado por The Stig:

@OTHG etc. You hosting by console or PC? Just type on chat windows "/bot" as meny times you wish add bots, one per time. /bot, /bot, /bot etc. On server_config.cfg file add on every eventloop configuration line "el_bots=".
@a292 /bansteamid (17 digit) is the correct syntax. There is more easy way: just mouse right clikc the player name and ban him/her (if you are admin).

Thank you for the quick response.

I am hosting from within the game itself on a PC.

Before these hotfixes, when you were the host, there was a key you could hit each time in the lobby to add a bot. For instance, X on my Xbox 360 controller. Each press of the X button added one bot.

Why in the world would they take this away? It's stupid and tedious now.

So, if I want to add 23 bots to my server I have to type /bot 23 times in the chat line!

Now, if I want to change the bots so that they have to use the host's car (for instance I want all bots to use the school bus), they will all leave the server because initially their vehicle won't match mine. I have to change mine to a bus and then type /bot 23 times again in the chat line? Seriously? WTF

Why play against just bots online when doing a normal custom event gives you better performance?

[Lichtmeister]

I didn't found how to add IA in a multiplayer game. Where is the command when hosting in game ?