Understanding HogWarp Player Limits and Patreon Tiers
HogWarp enforces player slot limits based on the server owner's Patreon tier — here is what each tier allows.
Understanding HogWarp Player Limits and Patreon Tiers
HogWarp's player limit system is unique among game server mods — slot limits are not determined by your hosting plan but by the HogWarp Patreon tier of the person who owns the server's API key. This article explains how the system works and what each tier provides.
How Player Limits Work
When your server starts, it authenticates with presence.hogwarp.com using your API_KEY. The presence service checks which Patreon tier is associated with your Discord account and enforces the corresponding player cap.
The MAX_PLAYERS environment variable on your server acts as an upper ceiling — but it cannot exceed what your Patreon tier permits. If you set MAX_PLAYERS=16 but your account is on the free tier, the server will cap at 4 players regardless.
Player Limit Tiers
| Patreon Tier | Max Players |
|---|---|
| Free (no Patreon) | 4 |
| Tier 1 Patreon | 8 |
| Tier 2 Patreon | 16 |
| Highest tier | Unlimited |
Setting MAX_PLAYERS
Set the MAX_PLAYERS environment variable to match or be lower than your tier's limit:
export MAX_PLAYERS="8"
wine HogWarpServer.exe
On DustBowl.Games, set MAX_PLAYERS in your server's Startup configuration in the panel.
Tip: Always set
MAX_PLAYERSexplicitly. If left unset, the server will use a default that may differ from what you expect.
Upgrading Your Patreon Tier
To unlock more player slots:
- Go to the HogWarp Patreon page and subscribe to the desired tier
- Make sure the Patreon account is linked to the same Discord account you used to generate your API key at presence.hogwarp.com
- The presence service will recognize the new tier automatically — restart your server for changes to take effect
Server Slot Planning
When choosing how many slots to advertise, consider:
- 4 slots is suitable for small friend groups and private play
- 8 slots works well for small community servers
- 16 slots is appropriate for active public communities
- Unlimited tier is for large-scale public servers
Even with unlimited slots, your server's actual capacity is bounded by available RAM and CPU. See HogWarp Server Performance and Resource Requirements for guidance on what hardware different player counts require.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run multiple servers on the same API key?
The API key is tied to a single Discord/Patreon account. Running multiple servers on the same key may not be supported — check the HogWarp documentation or Discord for the current policy.
Does my hosting plan affect player limits?
No. DustBowl.Games hosting plans do not impose HogWarp-specific player limits. The cap comes entirely from the HogWarp Patreon tier. However, ensure your hosting plan provides sufficient RAM for the number of players you plan to host.