Gaming on the Raspberry Pi is surprisingly multi-faceted, supporting each native and emulated video games.
But what should you wished one thing extra spectacular, but game-related, from the system?
Well, how about setting it up as a recreation server? Just think about, internet hosting LAN events wherever you might be, because of the pocket-sized Raspberry Pi! All you might want to do is guarantee you might have an Ethernet cable, a appropriate energy adapter and recreation server software program.
Here are 10 video games you could host on your Raspberry Pi recreation server.
1. Host QuakeWorld LAN Parties on Your Raspberry Pi
You could also be acquainted with Quake, the superior multiplayer deathmatch recreation from id Software launched in 1996. QuakeWorld is the web multiplayer model (versus WebQuake, the LAN-based multiplayer launch).
The supply code was launched below the GPL license in 1999 and is on the market to put in on your Raspberry Pi. QuakeWorld helps native community (LAN) multiplayer motion and isn’t meant to be used on a public server.
While suitable with a Model B Raspberry Pi, the perfect outcomes might be loved with a Raspberry Pi 2 or later. QuakeWorld makes use of lower than 32MB of RAM, guaranteeing optimum efficiency. It helps as much as 16 gamers, however the optimum expertise might be loved with 6-8 gamers.
For the perfect outcomes, make sure the Pi is linked to your router by way of Ethernet, fairly than wi-fi.
2. AssaultCube Server
For extra on-line capturing motion, take a have a look at AssaultCube. This free on-line multiplayer FPS recreation performs out in sensible environments, with environment friendly bandwidth utilization splendid for the Raspberry Pi. With its low latency, AssaultCube may even be run over a 56Kbps connection!
If you do not have anybody to play towards, AssaultCube additionally has a single participant “bot” mode. You’ll discover a number of multiplayer modes, in the meantime. These embrace Deathmatch, Survivor, Pistol Frenzy, Last Swiss Standing, Capture the Flag, Hunt the Flag, and One-Shot One-Kill. Each of those has a staff model, too.
Many maps are included within the game—an in-game map editor can be out there.
Head to the assault.cubers.net web site for full particulars of the sport. You can obtain the code from GitHub and compile the sport server on your Pi in simply a jiffy.
3. Host a Minecraft Server on Your Raspberry Pi
Minecraft and the Raspberry Pi are excellent bedfellows. After all, Minecraft Pi Edition is included in Raspbian. But what about a Minecraft recreation server?
The outcomes are finest loved on a Raspberry Pi 3 or later, however a Raspberry Pi 2 also needs to work. You’ll discover the perfect outcomes from this Minecraft server can be loved on your private home community. It’s not appropriate for internet hosting Minecraft environments on the general public web.
However, inside your private home community, you may have a Minecraft world able to be constructed and rebuilt at your comfort! This might be accessed by way of the Minecraft video games put in on a Windows PC, Android or iOS system.
To get began, test our information to organising a Minecraft server on Raspberry Pi.
4. Host Civilization Multiplayer With FreeCiv
Based on Sid Meier’s Civilization, FreeCiv is open supply and out there in consumer and server flavors. FreeCiv attracts from CivNet and Civilization II, in addition to components from the numerous other versions of Civilization.
Installation is so simple as:
sudo apt set up -y freeciv-server freeciv-client-gtkYou can then begin the server with:
freeciv-serverThe recreation server will then be out there to connect with from some other system operating the FreeCiv recreation consumer. Given how lengthy video games of Civilization can take, having a server to maintain the sport operating on makes excellent sense!
Check the Server Manual on the FreeCiv wiki for configuration details.
5. Host Doom Multiplayer on Raspberry Pi
Quake has a community multiplayer possibility for the Raspberry Pi—so what about Doom?
Thanks to the Quake On LAN staff (additionally behind QuakeWorld for the Pi), Doom On LAN is now an possibility. This makes use of the Zandronum port as a recreation consumer, which helps as much as an immense 64 gamers. Several gameplay modes can be found, and there is help for a lot of mods.
There’s additionally the addition of leaping and free wanting (each unavailable within the authentic), in addition to customized key bindings. As ever, the sport will work finest with a direct Ethernet connection to your router. Now all you must do is use 63 different folks to play with.
6. Set Sail With a Windward Game Server
An enchanting, ship-based recreation about commerce and pirates, Windward is a rarity on this listing. It is one in every of simply two titles that are not open supply. You’ll discover it out there from Steam for slightly below $10, and the sport performs in each single and multiplayer modes.
Setting up is a little time-intensive; you may want to put in Mono (the open-source implementation of Microsoft .NET) on your Pi.
Once put in you may discover the Windward server within the Lobby display screen of the sport consumer. Note that this arrange installs copying some knowledge from the sport folder on your PC. Time to set sail!
7. Terraria Server for Raspberry Pi
This 2D journey sandbox was first launched on Windows in 2011 however has since been ported to Linux and macOS. If you personal Terraria, then you’ll host a recreation on your Raspberry Pi.
Using a Raspberry Pi 2 or later, you possibly can setup the Terraria server on Raspbian, once more putting in Mono as a prerequisite. Next, you may use TShock, the Terraria recreation server, which is available from GitHub. Once up and operating, anybody who desires to play will discover the Terraria server of their model of the sport. Although connecting to the server from a native community is finest, Terraria will also be performed over the web.
8. Crossfire
A multiplayer arcade journey recreation, Crossfire is paying homage to Gauntlet and rogue-like video games. With 3,000 maps, an elaborate magic system, and 150 monster sorts, Crossfire’s world is appropriate for particular person or staff play.
Client and server software program can be found for Crossfire, each out there from the web site. Once the server is about up on your Raspberry Pi, players on any of the opposite consumer platforms can be part of.
Beware, Crossfire is very large, participating… and enjoyable! There’s a lot to study, like a conventional dungeon game—check the web site for assist with the magic system.
9. The Battle for Wesnoth
A large open-source turn-based technique recreation with a fantasy theme, The Battle for Wesnoth has been round since 2003. You’ll discover variations for widespread desktop methods Linux, Microsoft Windows, and Macintosh (as much as and together with macOS).
Clients for iOS and Android are additionally available—fans of BeOS and AmigaOS may even play. There’s a browser possibility, too!
LAN and web multiplayer choices can be found, and the sport options 46 multiplayer maps. Like many video games on this listing, The Battle for Wesnoth has a built-in recreation server. All you might want to do is set up the sport on your Pi, then set it to host a recreation. You can invite gamers from inside the recreation.
Look out for a load of player-made content material, equivalent to campaigns, new factions, and authentic multiplayer maps.
10. OpenTTD Game Server
We’ll end with this nice favourite of the desktop strategist. OpenTTD is an open supply model of the 1995 recreation Transport Tycoon Deluxe. Expanded past the boundaries of the unique, OpenTTD might be configured as a devoted recreation server on the Raspberry Pi.
Like FreeCiv, OpenTTD takes a whereas to play; you are most likely going to be taking part in a explicit map for a whereas. Installation and setup is easy. Begin with the usual OpenTTD set up:
sudo apt set up openttdOnce this finished, run the server with:
openttd -DGame shoppers on Windows, Linux, macOS, different Pis and cellular units ought to then have the ability to connect with the sport server. Connect utilizing system title or IP tackle. Note you could additionally use the launch possibility:
openttd -fThis will run OpenTTD within the background, with output despatched to the openttd.log file. Tips for server setup might be present in the OpenTTD wiki.
Can You Use Raspberry Pi 4 as a Game Server?
Different fashions of Raspberry Pi are suited to completely different duties. For instance, you possibly can run a print server with the unique Raspberry Pi—it wasn’t as suited to multiplayer gaming.
While recreation servers will run on a Raspberry Pi 2 or 3, the Raspberry Pi 4 is far more powerful. This opens a entire host of latest recreation server choices for the Raspberry Pi. At the time of writing, the 11 Raspberry Pi gaming servers listed below are all which are out there.
However, there may be each probability that the Raspberry Pi 4 might run a World of Warcraft (basic) server. It would possibly even be suited to operating an ARK server. As with all the pieces else on this listing, it relies upon as a lot on the generosity of the sport builders because it does the Raspberry Pi 4’s {hardware}.
Set Up a Raspberry Pi Gaming Server Today
It’s superb, however the low-power Raspberry Pi—considerably much less highly effective than your desktop PC—can host on-line gaming classes! Sure, trendy video games aren’t out there, however the selection of 10 video games is motive sufficient to analyze additional.
Want extra Raspberry Pi gaming concepts? Here’s the best way to play almost any game on your Raspberry Pi.
Read Next
About The Author
