How to Install TeeWorlds on a Vultr Cloud Server

TeeWorlds is a free, open-source 2D online multiple-player shooter game. It uses a client-server architecture where users can connect to a central server and start game sessions in real-time. In this write-up, you can install TeeWorlds on a Vultr Cloud Server running a Debian or Redhat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) based server distribution.

Prerequisites

• Deploy a fresh Vultr Cloud Server.
• SSH and log in as a sudo user.

Installation

• Ubuntu/Debian users can install TeeWorlds by running the following commands:

  $ sudo apt install teeworlds-server
  

• CentOS/RockyLinux users can install TeeWorlds by running the following commands:

  $ sudo dnf install teeworlds-server
  

Configure TeeWorlds Server

1. Backup the default TeeWorlds server configuration file.

   $ sudo mv /etc/teeworlds/server.cfg /etc/teeworlds/server.cfg.ORIG
   

2. Create a new configuration file in a text editor.

   $ sudo nano /etc/teeworlds/server.cfg
   

3. Add the following configurations to the file.

   sv_name TeeWorlds Server
   bindaddr *
   sv_motd Welcome to your Vultr Teeworlds Server, have fun!
   sv_port 8303
   sv_max_clients 10
   sv_map ctf1
   sv_rcon_password Your-Password-here
   sv_scorelimit 300
   sv_gametype ctf
   

   Below is what each configuration line does:

   • sv_name: A custom name for the game server.
   • bindaddr: The network address TeeWorlds should use.
   • sv_motd: Description or welcome message for your game server.
   • sv_port: Network port to listen on, by default, port 8303.
   • sv_max_clients: Maximum number of player on server (max is 16).
   • sv_map: Default map for the game.
   • sc_rcon_password: A strong password for accessing server settings
   • sv_scorelimit: Top score players can reach before restarting the game.
   • sv_gametype: Type of game, either dm, tdm, or ctf.

4. Save and close the file.

5. Configure the firewall to allow the TeeWorlds server port 8303.

   • Ubuntu (UFW):

     $ sudo ufw allow 8303
     

   • CentOS (FirewallD):

     $ sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=8303/tcp
     

6. To correct user permissions, edit the TeeWorlds systemd file.

   $ sudo nano /lib/systemd/system/teeworlds-server.service
   

7. Change the listening user from _teeworlds to a valid system user account. Your edited file should look like the one below:

   [Unit]
   Description=Teeworlds multiplayer server
   Documentation=man:teeworlds-server(6)
   After=network.target
   
   [Service]
   Restart=on-failure
   User=example
   ExecStart=/bin/sh -c "/usr/games/teeworlds-server -f /etc/teeworlds/server.cfg | /usr/share/games/teeworlds/teeworlds_datetime.sh"
   StandardOutput=syslog
   StandardError=syslog
   SyslogIdentifier=teeworlds
   
   [Install]
   WantedBy=multi-user.target
   

8. Save and close the file.

9. Restart systemd to load changes.

   $ sudo systemctl daemon-reload
   

10. Enable the TeeWorlds server.

    $ sudo systemctl enable teeworlds-server
    

11. Start TeeWorlds server.

    $ sudo systemctl start teeworlds-server
    

12. Verify that TeeWorlds is up and running with no errors:

    $ sudo systemctl status teeworlds-server
    

Ready to play?

• Start a TeeWorlds game session on your desktop computer.

• Connect to the TeeWorlds server by replacing localhost with your server address.

  

Conclusion

You have successfully installed TeeWorlds on a Vultr Cloud Server. You can connect multiple players on the server as listed in your configuration file with the installation. For more configuration options, visit the TeeWorlds Server Settings page.