Operation: Harsh Doorstop Server Configuration
Configure player limits, bots, factions, ticket counts, and RCON via bat file URL options and Game.ini — and understand why the bat file wins on restart.
Two Configuration Methods
OHD uses two places for server settings:
- Bat file URL options — appended directly to the launch command. These persist across every restart because the bat file never changes unless you edit it.
- Game.ini — INI file that controls RCON and session settings. Important: Game.ini and GameUserSettings.ini can reset to defaults on server restart. For any setting that must survive a restart, use the bat file.
Put critical settings (player limits, map, factions, tickets) in the bat file. Use Game.ini only for RCON and settings that have no bat file equivalent.
Bat File URL Option Syntax
URL options are chained directly onto the map name argument using ?Key=Value:
HarshDoorstop\Binaries\Win64\HarshDoorstopServer-Win64-Shipping.exe AAS-TestMap?MaxPlayers=32?MinPlayers=4?bBotAutofill=true -log -SteamServerName="My Server"
Rules:
- Options chain with
?, not&or spaces. - Dash flags like
-logand-SteamServerNamecome after all URL options, separated by a space. -SteamServerNamesets the name shown in the server browser. It is a dash flag, not a?option.
Full URL Options Reference
| Option | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|
MaxPlayers |
?MaxPlayers=32 |
Maximum player slot count |
MinPlayers |
?MinPlayers=4 |
Minimum players before a match starts |
bBotAutofill |
?bBotAutofill=true |
Fill empty slots with bots |
BluForFaction |
?BluForFaction=BP_HDFactionInfo_USARMY |
Set BluFor team faction |
OpForFaction |
?OpForFaction=BP_HDFactionInfo_INSURGENTS |
Set OpFor team faction |
BluforNumTickets |
?BluforNumTickets=200 |
BluFor respawn ticket count |
OpforNumTickets |
?OpforNumTickets=200 |
OpFor respawn ticket count |
Faction names follow the pattern BP_HDFactionInfo_FACTIONNAME. See Operation: Harsh Doorstop Server Factions for the full list.
Dash Flags Reference
| Flag | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|
-SteamServerName |
-SteamServerName="My Server" |
Server browser display name |
-log |
-log |
Enable server logging |
-bDisableKitRestrictions |
-bDisableKitRestrictions |
Remove kit/loadout restrictions |
Full Bat File Example
HarshDoorstop\Binaries\Win64\HarshDoorstopServer-Win64-Shipping.exe Carentan?MaxPlayers=32?MinPlayers=2?BluforNumTickets=250?OpforNumTickets=250 -log -SteamServerName="My WW2 Server"
Game.ini Configuration
Located at HarshDoorstop\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\Game.ini (Windows) or HarshDoorstop/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/Game.ini (Linux).
[/Script/RCON.RCONServerSystem]
bEnabled=True
ListenPort=7779
Password="YourRCONPassword"
MaxActiveConnections=5
MaxAuthAttempts=3
[/Script/Engine.GameSession]
MaxPlayers=32
ServerName="My Awesome Server"
Password="cookies"
Setting breakdown:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
bEnabled |
Enables RCON. Set False to disable. |
ListenPort |
TCP port RCON listens on (default 7779) |
Password |
RCON authentication password |
MaxActiveConnections |
Simultaneous RCON connections allowed |
MaxAuthAttempts |
Failed auth attempts before disconnecting the client |
MaxPlayers (GameSession) |
Player limit (can also be set in bat file) |
ServerName |
Alternate server name — use -SteamServerName in bat file for browser listing |
Password (GameSession) |
Server join password — leave blank for no password |
Warning: If Game.ini resets after a restart, your RCON will stop working. If this happens, set RCON config here and verify the file isn't being overwritten. As a fallback, some operators set MaxPlayers and server name exclusively in the bat file to avoid this issue.