OpenArena server.cfg Reference
A complete OpenArena server.cfg with all essential cvars, config file locations on Windows and Linux, and notes on sets vs seta vs set and sv_pure.
OpenArena server.cfg
server.cfg is the main configuration file for your OpenArena dedicated server. It is executed at startup when you pass +exec server.cfg on the launch command line.
Config File Location
The config directory depends on your operating system:
- Linux / Mac:
$HOME/.openarena/baseoa/ - Windows:
baseoa\inside the OpenArena game directory
Create server.cfg in that directory. The log file (games.log) is also written there.
Cvar Prefix Reference
OpenArena uses three prefixes when setting cvars in config files:
| Prefix | Behavior |
|---|---|
set |
Sets the cvar for the current session; not saved to the user config |
seta |
Sets the cvar and marks it as archived (saved to user config on quit) |
sets |
Sets a server info cvar — visible in server browser listings |
Use sets for server identity fields like sv_hostname. Use seta for gameplay values you want persisted. Use set for runtime-only values like rconpassword.
Complete server.cfg Template
// ── Identity ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
sets sv_hostname "My OpenArena Server"
sets sv_maxclients 16
// ── Network and files ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
sv_pure 1
seta sv_maxRate 25000
sets sv_fps 20
sets sv_allowdownload 1
// sv_dlURL "http://yourserver.com/folder"
// ── Gameplay ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
seta capturelimit 8
seta timelimit 15
seta fraglimit 35
seta bot_minplayers 0
seta g_inactivity 0
seta g_allowvote 1
seta g_voteNames "/map_restart/nextmap/map/g_gametype/kick/clientkick/g_doWarmup/timelimit/fraglimit/"
seta g_voteGametypes "/0/1/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/"
// ── Physics and hit detection ─────────────────────────────────────────
seta g_delagHitscan 1
seta g_awardPushing 1
set pmove_float 1
// ── Game mode and rotation ────────────────────────────────────────────
seta g_gametype 0
set g_autonextmap 1
// ── Security ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
set rconpassword ""
set g_motd "Welcome!"
Key Cvar Notes
sv_pure 1 — clients must have matching .pk3 game files. Any client with a modified or extra .pk3 in their baseoa/ directory will be kicked on connect. Set sv_pure 0 when testing custom maps so clients are not kicked for having different files.
sv_maxclients 16 — all official maps support up to 16 players. Setting this higher is possible but untested with official content.
g_gametype 0 — sets the game mode. See the OpenArena Game Modes guide for all valid values.
g_autonextmap 1 — enables automatic map rotation. Without this, the server stays on the same map when timelimit or fraglimit is reached.
rconpassword "" — blank disables RCON. Set a strong password if you need remote administration.
sv_allowdownload 1 — allows clients to download missing files from the server. Combine with sv_dlURL to redirect downloads to a faster HTTP server.
Applying Changes
server.cfg is executed once at startup. To reload it without restarting:
/rcon exec server.cfg
Changes to g_gametype take effect on the next map load.