Beginner guide
How to host a game server at home
Your child wants a world that friends can join. Here is the whole idea without assuming you know networking or server administration.
First: what are you actually hosting?
A dedicated game server is a small, separate version of the game that keeps track of the shared world and connected players. It usually has no playable graphics of its own. Players run the normal game on their PCs or consoles and connect to the server.
When you host at home, that server program and its world files stay on a Windows PC you control. The PC must be on and awake while friends play, but the person who owns it does not always need to be inside the game.
Before you begin
What you need
- A Windows 10 or 11 PC that can stay on while people play
- Free disk space for the game's dedicated-server files and world backups
- A reliable internet connection and access to your home router if the game needs port forwarding
- A supported game owned by the players who will join
Each game has different memory, storage, and connection requirements. Check the game-specific guide before promising a player count.
The process
Four jobs stand between a Windows PC and game night
- 01
Install the dedicated server
This is the separate program that runs the shared world. Gone Wrong Servers downloads and verifies it for supported games.
- 02
Choose the world and gameplay rules
Set the server name, player limit, password, difficulty, and a gameplay experience. Connection details stay separate from gameplay profiles.
- 03
Make it reachable
Allow the server through Windows Firewall and, when required, route the game's ports through your router. Connection Setup explains and checks the path.
- 04
Protect the world
Create a recovery point before updates or major changes. Keep an extra copy of anything irreplaceable, especially while software is in beta.
Common questions
What usually surprises first-time hosts
Can friends outside our home connect?
Usually. Windows Firewall, your router, and your internet provider all affect the path. Some providers use CGNAT, which can prevent ordinary port forwarding. Gone Wrong Servers explains the next check instead of only showing a raw network error.
Is opening a game port the same as exposing the whole PC?
No, but it should still be deliberate. Only open the ports the game server needs, keep Windows and the server updated, use a password when appropriate, and do not expose remote administration tools to the public internet.
Does Gone Wrong Gaming keep our world?
No. Gone Wrong Servers manages the server on your Windows PC. Your world and settings stay in your files. You should still maintain a separate backup of anything irreplaceable.
Need human help? Visit Support or join the Gone Wrong Gaming Discord.