Wreckfest Server Hosting

What a Wreckfest Dedicated Server Is For

Wreckfest can be hosted from inside the game, but the lobby then depends on that player's PC and connection, and it closes when they leave. Bugbear's own forum post on hosting describes the alternative: a dedicated server, downloaded separately through SteamCMD with an anonymous login, that runs without anyone sitting in the menu. You do not even need to own the game to download the server tool.

A rented dedicated server takes that further. It runs in a data centre with steady upstream bandwidth, the ports already open and DDoS filtering in front of it. That matters in Wreckfest more than most racers, because physics-heavy contact racing with a full grid is exactly where a weak home connection shows. Bugbear's post advises starting with around 8 clients on a limited connection and working up; a data centre removes that ceiling.

server_config.cfg: The File That Runs the Lobby

The server ships with initial_server_config.cfg. On first launch it copies that file to server_config.cfg, and from then on server_config.cfg is the one it reads. Edit that file, not the initial one, and restart the server after each change.

Building an Event Loop

The event loop is what turns a server into a lobby people come back to. Each el_add line adds an event, and the server works through them in order, then starts again. A good loop mixes circuit races with a derby or two, so drivers who keep wrecking still have something to aim for.

1. Stop the server and open server_config.cfg in the File Manager.
2. Add one el_add line per event, in the order you want them to run.
3. Save, start the server and join to check the first event loads.
4. Use the /eventloop command in chat to control the loop during a session.

For a league night, keep the loop short and fixed so everyone races the same events. For an open lobby, a longer loop with variety keeps people around between races.

Admin Commands for Race Stewards

Admins run the lobby from chat. Bugbear's hosting post lists the commands, and the useful ones for stewards fall into three groups.

• Players: /kick, /ban and /bansteamid remove problem drivers; /admin, /adminsteamid and /op hand out rights.
• Racing: /restart restarts the event, /balanceteams evens out team modes, and /bot manages AI drivers.
• Lobby: /password, /servername and /welcome change how the server looks and who can get in; /eventloop controls the rotation.

Put the stewards' Steam IDs in admin_steam_ids so they have rights the moment they join, rather than relying on whoever is online to promote them.

Workshop Mods and PC Crossplay

Wreckfest supports the Steam Workshop, and the store page mentions mods adding monster trucks and classic maps. A modded event works best when every driver has the same content, so share the mod list well before race night and ask drivers to load into the game once beforehand.

Crossplay arrived on PC with the update of 22 March 2024: players on Steam, GOG and the Epic Games Store can now join the same lobbies. That widens who can race on your server, but Workshop content comes through Steam, so a heavily modded server may suit a Steam group better than a mixed one. Wreckfest is also sold on PlayStation, but Bugbear's hosting post covers the PC dedicated server, so plan the lobby for PC drivers.

Grid Size and Memory

The order form sells Wreckfest from 20 to 24 slots. Twenty is enough for most leagues, which rarely fill every spot. Twenty-four is the full grid, and on PlayStation 5 Sony's listing also gives 24 as the online player count, so it is the natural size for a public lobby or a big derby night.

Memory matters less in Wreckfest than in open-world games, because each event loads one track. Mods are the exception: a long list of mod cars and tracks raises memory use, so the bigger grid comes with more RAM and higher tiers are on the order form.

Ports, Updates and Staying Online

Bugbear lists UDP 27015, UDP 27016, UDP 33540 and TCP 27015 for anyone hosting at home. On our network those are open already, so drivers only need the server name or address from the panel.

Wreckfest updates are rare now, but when one lands players update first. Run Steam Update in the panel and restart, so the server matches the new build. A daily restart from Scheduled Tasks keeps a long-running lobby fresh, and a snapshot before any config change gives you a quick way back.

What to Compare Before You Rent a Wreckfest Server

Racing servers look alike on paper. These are the details that matter on race night.

1. Grid size you can buyCheck the host sells the grid you want, and what memory comes with it.
2. Config file accessYou will edit server_config.cfg often. A browser file manager and SFTP save time.
3. Ping to your driversContact racing feels lag first. Test from your own PC before you order.
4. Restarts on demandMake sure you can restart and update the server yourself, any time.
5. DDoS filteringCompetitive lobbies attract grudges. Check traffic is filtered before it reaches the server.
6. Billing for a seasonLook for monthly billing with no setup fee, so you can stop when the league ends.

Wreckfest Server Glossary

server_config.cfg

The config file the server reads, created from initial_server_config.cfg on first launch.

Event loop

The list of events the server runs in order, built from el_add lines.

el_add

A config line that adds one track or event to the loop.

admin_steam_ids

The config setting that gives listed Steam IDs admin rights on join.

Derby

A demolition mode where the last car still moving wins.

SteamCMD

Valve's command-line tool, used to download the Wreckfest dedicated server.

Workshop

Steam's mod library, where Wreckfest cars and tracks are shared.

Crossplay

Since 2024, PC players on Steam, GOG and Epic racing in the same lobbies.

Slots

How many drivers can be connected at once.

Wreckfest Server Help and Next Steps

Links for setting up the lobby and running events.

• Bugbear's dedicated server post on SteamSteamCMD, config file, admin commands and ports from the developer.
• Wreckfest on SteamThe game, its Workshop and system requirements.
• Wreckfest news on SteamUpdate notes including the PC crossplay update.
• Gaming Deluxe control panelHow the panel works and where to log in.
• Our server locations
• Contact supportHelp with configs, event loops and updates at any hour.