Why isn't my OpenTTD server in the server list?

Servers aren't public by default. Stop the server, set server_game_type = public under [network] in data\openttd.cfg, and start it again. You can always connect directly using the IP address and port.

Which ports does an OpenTTD server need?

Port 3979 (TCP and UDP) by default. The installer opens it in the Windows Firewall and, for dashboard installations, in your VPS's Network Firewall as well.

OpenTTD: Set Up a Server on Your VPS

Learn how to install an OpenTTD server on your VPS with the Game Server Installer, connect to it, and make it public → Learn more

10 November 20264 min read1 Views0 helpful

Introduction

You can host an OpenTTD server with ZapX on your own VPS. You have full control over the system, and with the Game Server Installer, your server is ready in just a few minutes—no Remote Desktop connection required. This guide explains what you need, how the installation works, and how to manage your OpenTTD server afterward.

Requirements

Requirement	OpenTTD
Operating system	Windows Server 2019 or later
Memory	At least 2 GB
Free disk space	At least 2 GB on drive C:

Info

OpenTTD is available in the Game Server Installer only for Windows. 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 OpenTTD

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 OpenTTD and select it.
Under Set up server, specify the Server name and Player slots—that is, how many players can be connected at the same time. You can find the Game port under Advanced settings.
Click Install on this VPS, then click Start installation.

The installer downloads OpenTTD 15.3 from the official download site cdn.openttd.org, along with the free OpenGFX 8.0 graphics. You don't need the original Transport Tycoon files. The installer then sets up the server and starts it with a new map. For more details about the installation process, see the Game Server Installer guide.

Important

The server runs OpenTTD 15.3. Players need exactly the same version to connect.

Info

Your server won't initially appear in the public server list. Players can connect directly using the IP address and port. To make it public, see Configuration below.

You can also install OpenTTD yourself using a command. In the last step, copy the displayed command, connect via Remote Desktop, and run it in Windows PowerShell as an administrator.

After installation

When installation is complete, the installer shows your server address under How to connect. The installer-generated Remote Console (RCON) password is displayed once under Login credentials. If you install through the dashboard, the installer doesn't set a password for joining the game. To connect, open Multiplayer in the game and use Add server to enter your VPS IP address and port, which is 3979 by default. You can also find the IP address in the Overview of your VPS in the ZapX dashboard.

Your server files are located on the VPS at C:\ZapX-GameServers\openttd\:

Folder/file	Contents
`server\openttd-15.3-windows-win64\`	OpenTTD program files
`data\openttd.cfg`	Server settings
`data\private.cfg`	Server name
`data\secrets.cfg`	Passwords
`data\save\`	Saved games; `save\autosave\exit.sav` is the most recently saved game
`data\newgrf\, data\game\, data\ai\`	NewGRFs, Game Scripts, and AIs you add
`logs\server.log`	Server output

Start, stop, and restart the server

Your OpenTTD server starts automatically when the VPS starts and restarts after a crash. To manage it, connect via Remote Desktop and use the desktop shortcuts:

OpenTTD (openttd) - Start
OpenTTD (openttd) - Stop
OpenTTD (openttd) - Restart

When stopped, the server saves the map to save\autosave\exit.sav. The next time it starts, it loads that saved game.

Configuration

OpenTTD settings are stored in data\openttd.cfg. Since version 15, the server name is also stored in data\private.cfg, and passwords are stored in data\secrets.cfg. When OpenTTD shuts down, it rewrites openttd.cfg with all the current values. So stop the server before editing the file, then start it again afterward.

To make your server visible in the public server list, stop the server, set server_game_type = public in the [network] section of openttd.cfg, and start it again. Alternatively, send the set network.server_game_type public command via RCON.

The installer rewrites the server name, player slots, and passwords every time it runs, including when you update. So change these values through the installer: select OpenTTD again, adjust the settings, and click Update. You can enter a password for joining the game during a command-line installation; the script will prompt for it without displaying it.

Warning

Passwords are stored in plain text in secrets.cfg and openttd.cfg, and are therefore also included in every backup. Don't share your backups.

Update the server

Updates aren't installed automatically. To update, open the Game Server Installer again and select OpenTTD. The installer detects the existing installation and displays Update. Alternatively, use the OpenTTD (openttd) - Update shortcut on the VPS. The installer is fixed to OpenTTD version 15.3, and your map and settings are preserved during updates.

Ports and firewall

Port	Protocol	Use
3979	TCP and UDP	Game and server list

The installer opens these ports in the Windows Firewall. If you start the installation from the dashboard, it also opens them in your VPS's Network Firewall. If you installed using a command, check the ports there yourself. The admin port (game port + 1, 3980 by default) is used internally only for a clean shutdown and is intentionally not opened.

Backups

Use the OpenTTD (openttd) - Backup shortcut to save your games, settings and passwords, as well as any NewGRFs, Game Scripts, and AIs you've added, to a ZIP file at C:\ZapX-GameServers\_backups\openttd\. Use OpenTTD (openttd) - 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, restores, and restricted actions.

Conclusion

Your OpenTTD server is now running on your VPS. If you have 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 OpenTTD, adjust the settings, and click Install on this VPS.

Not with the Game Server Installer, which offers OpenTTD only for Windows Server 2019 or later. If your VPS runs Linux, you can install a Windows Server template via Settings > Reinstallation. This will delete all data on your VPS.

They need exactly the same version as the server. The Game Server Installer installs OpenTTD 15.3.

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OpenTTD: Set Up a Server on Your VPS

Introduction

Requirements

Install OpenTTD

After installation

Start, stop, and restart the server

Configuration

Update the server

Ports and firewall

Backups

Conclusion

Frequently asked questions

OpenTTD

Install OpenTTD

Start, stop, and restart the server

Configuration

Update the server

Backups

Conclusion

Game Server

Servers & Hosting

ZAPX

Resources

ZAP-Hosting