Why are my changes to server.cfg gone after an update?

An update restores the default server.cfg and permissions.res files. Back them up beforehand using the Backup shortcut, then restore them afterward using the Restore shortcut.

Which ports does a Battle Grounds III server need?

By default, port 27015 over TCP and UDP. The installer opens the port in the Windows Firewall and, if you install from the dashboard, in your VPS's network firewall as well.

Battle Grounds III: Set Up a Server on Your VPS

Install a Battle Grounds III server on your VPS with the Game Server Installer and your Steam account → Learn more

10 November 20264 min read0 Views0 helpful

Introduction

You can host a Battle Grounds III server on your own VPS with ZapX. You have full control over the system, and with the Game Server Installer, you can set up the server in just a few minutes without a Remote Desktop connection. This guide explains what you need, how to install the server, and how to manage your Battle Grounds III server afterward.

Battle Grounds III: Set Up a Server on Your VPS

Requirements

Requirement	Battle Grounds III
Operating system	Windows Server 2019 or later
Memory	At least 3 GB
Free disk space	At least 9 GB on drive C:

Info

Battle Grounds III is only available for Windows in the Game Server Installer. If your VPS runs Linux, install a Windows Server template via Settings > Reinstallation. This will delete all data on your VPS. Learn more in Server Reinstallation.

Install Battle Grounds III

Open your VPS in the ZapX dashboard and go to the Tools tab. Select the Game Server Installer.
Under Your server's operating system, select the Windows tile.
Under Choose game, search for Battle Grounds III and select it.
Under Set up server, choose the Server name, starting Map, and Player slots. You can find the Game port under Advanced settings.
Click Install on this VPS, then click Start installation.

The installer downloads the Battle Grounds III server via SteamCMD, sets it up, and starts it. For details about the installation process, see the Game Server Installer guide.

Important

You need a Steam account that owns Battle Grounds III to download the server files. Find out what you need to know in the next section.

You can also install Battle Grounds III yourself using a command: copy the command shown in the final step, connect via Remote Desktop, and run it in Windows PowerShell as an administrator. Use this method if you want to set a join password or a Steam login token (GSLT): the script will prompt you for them privately.

Steam account for the download

Steam only provides the Battle Grounds III server files to a Steam account that has the game in its library. Battle Grounds III is free to play, so you can simply add it to your Steam account. When you start the installation, the installer will therefore ask for your Steam username and Steam password. Enter your Steam account's login name, not your email address.

Your credentials are only used for the download and are not stored anywhere. The installer will ask for them again each time you update. The running server itself does not need a Steam account.

Important

If your Steam account is protected by Steam Guard through the app, you can't enter the code in the dashboard. Instead, run the installer using a command: copy the command shown in the final step, connect via Remote Desktop, and run it in Windows PowerShell as an administrator. The script will then ask for your Steam Guard code.

After installation

Once installation is complete, the installer shows your server address under How to connect. You can view passwords generated by the installer, including the automatically generated RCON password, under Access details—but only once. Find out how to connect in Battle Grounds III: Connect to the Server.

Your server files are located on the VPS at C:\ZapX-GameServers\battle-grounds-iii\:

Folder/file	Contents
`server\`	Battle Grounds III server files
`server\bg3\cfg\server.cfg`	Server settings
`server\bg3\cfg\permissions.res`	Admin and moderator roles
`logs\server.log`	Server output

Start, stop, and restart the server

Your Battle Grounds III server starts automatically when the VPS boots and restarts if it crashes. To manage it, connect via Remote Desktop and use the desktop shortcuts:

Battle Grounds III (battle-grounds-iii) - Start
Battle Grounds III (battle-grounds-iii) - Stop
Battle Grounds III (battle-grounds-iii) - Restart

Configuration

Battle Grounds III settings are in server\bg3\cfg\server.cfg. Set up admins in server\bg3\cfg\permissions.res: add their Steam IDs (in the format STEAM_1:...) under the appropriate roles. Stop the server using Battle Grounds III (battle-grounds-iii) - Stop before editing the files, then start it again afterward.

Important

An update restores the default server.cfg and permissions.res files. Before each update, back up your changes using Battle Grounds III (battle-grounds-iii) - Backup, then restore them afterward using Battle Grounds III (battle-grounds-iii) - Restore. The installer automatically re-adds the server name and RCON password each time it runs.

Info

The included permissions.res file makes two of the game's developers admins on every server. The installer comments out these two entries.

Update the server

Updates are not installed automatically. To update, open the Game Server Installer again and select Battle Grounds III. The installer will detect the existing installation and show Update. Alternatively, use the Battle Grounds III (battle-grounds-iii) - Update shortcut on the VPS. The installer will ask for your Steam credentials again.

Ports and firewall

Port	Protocol	Use
27015	TCP and UDP	Game, query, and RCON (TCP)

The installer opens this port in the Windows Firewall. If you start the installation from the dashboard, it also opens the port in your VPS's network firewall. If you installed using a command, check the port there yourself.

Backups

Use the Battle Grounds III (battle-grounds-iii) - Backup shortcut to back up server.cfg, permissions.res, the ban lists, the map cycle, and the server message as a ZIP file in C:\ZapX-GameServers\_backups\battle-grounds-iii\. Use Battle Grounds III (battle-grounds-iii) - Restore to restore a backup.

Your entire VPS is also backed up automatically every day. With an active ZapX Pass, you can restore these backups yourself and create your own. Learn more in Daily Backups, Restoring Backups, and Restricted Actions.

Conclusion

Your Battle Grounds III server is now running on your VPS. You can set up recurring messages for your players using RCON and Windows Task Scheduler. Learn more in Automated Server Messages. If you have any questions or need help, our support team is here for you every day! 🙂

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Open your VPS in the ZapX dashboard, go to the Tools tab, and select the Game Server Installer. Choose Windows and Battle Grounds III, adjust the settings, click Install on this VPS, and enter your Steam credentials.

Steam only provides the server files to an account that owns Battle Grounds III. The game is free to play. Your credentials are only used for the download and are not stored.

With the server stopped, add your Steam ID in the format STEAM_1:... to the appropriate role in server\bg3\cfg\permissions.res.

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Battle Grounds III: Set Up a Server on Your VPS

Introduction

Requirements

Install Battle Grounds III

Steam account for the download

After installation

Start, stop, and restart the server

Configuration

Update the server

Ports and firewall

Backups

Conclusion

Frequently asked questions