How to Set Up an OpenArena Dedicated Server
Download OpenArena for free from openarena.ws, make the binary executable, and launch a dedicated server on Linux or Windows with the correct dedicated flag.
Setting Up an OpenArena Dedicated Server
OpenArena is a free, open source first-person shooter built on the ioquake3 engine (a derivative of Quake 3 Arena). It is not available on Steam — download it directly from the official website or GitHub.
Download OpenArena
Official website: https://openarena.ws
GitHub releases: https://github.com/OpenArena/gamecode
The current release is version 0.8.8, which includes 58 official maps (31 FFA/DM maps and 27 CTF maps). Download the full game package — the dedicated server binary is included.
No Steam account or license is required. OpenArena is completely free.
Linux Setup
Extract the archive to a directory of your choice, then make the server binary executable:
chmod +x oa_ded.x86_64
On older Linux systems the binary may be named oa_ded.ub:
chmod +x oa_ded.ub
Launch a dedicated server listed on the master server (internet-accessible):
./oa_ded.x86_64 +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 27960 +exec server.cfg
Launch a LAN-only server (not listed on master server):
./oa_ded.x86_64 +set dedicated 1 +set net_port 27960 +exec server.cfg
Windows Setup
Extract the archive to a folder, then run:
oa_ded.exe +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 27960 +exec server.cfg
No installer is required. The executable runs directly from the extracted folder.
The dedicated Flag
The +set dedicated value controls whether your server is publicly listed:
| Value | Behavior |
|---|---|
1 |
LAN only — not listed on the master server |
2 |
Internet — listed on the master server; public players can find it |
Use dedicated 2 for a public server. Use dedicated 1 for private LAN events.
Executing a Config File
The +exec server.cfg parameter loads your server configuration at startup. Without it, the server runs with defaults only — no hostname, no map rotation, and no custom settings.
Create server.cfg in the config directory before launching:
- Linux/Mac:
$HOME/.openarena/baseoa/server.cfg - Windows:
baseoa\server.cfginside the game directory
See the OpenArena server.cfg Reference for a complete template.
Connecting to the Server
Players can find internet servers through the in-game server browser when dedicated 2 is used. For direct connection, open the in-game console and type:
/connect YOUR_SERVER_IP:27960