CSGO: Server configuration

This guide was created with the following products:

(Details may vary with products from different providers but the main concepts remain the same)

Cloud-Gameserver

caution

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has been updated to Counter-Strike 2. Servers for Counter-Strike 2 can be found here. Currently, it is possible to continue playing on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive servers and rent servers for Counter-Strike: GO through the Steam Beta feature. However, this can change at any time in case Valve disables this. We recommend switching to the new version as soon as possible.

Introduction

Counter-Strike servers can be configured widely. Basic settings can be configured via the Server.cfg Config and via the settings page in the web interface. The advanced configuration is carried out via the gamemode config files such as gamemode_competitive.cfg, gamemode_custom.cfg, gamemode_casual.cfg, gamemode_cooperative.cfg, gamemode_demolition.cfg, etc.

Under the settings you can choose the gamemode you want to use. The commands of this Config are then accordingly loaded. These can be managed either in the game server administration or manually via FTP under gXXXXXX/csgo/csgo/cfg/.

Configuration

Configuration via the interface (Settings)

At the settings page you can adjust basic settings for the GSL token, gametype/gamemode, mapgroup, tickrate and more.

GSL Token

Gameserver Login Tokens (GSLTs) is a procedure that Steam has implemented as a protective measure. To run gameservers of certain Steam Games (mainly source games) it is necessary to generate a token. More detailed information can be found here:

GSL-Token

Gametype

There are different gamemodes. In the following you see a list of all available options:

• Classic Casual
• Classic Competitive
• Arms Race
• Demolition
• Deathmatch
• Wingman

Mapgroup

Mapgroups are groups of maps which normally correspond to a certain category. By default there are the mg_active, mg_armsrace, mg_demolition, mg_allclassic groups. Optionally you can create your own. This has to be added to the Gamemodes_server.txt. The structure of such a mapgroup is easy to build and looks like this:

{	 	 	 	 
 	"mg_meine_mapgroup"	 	 	 
 	{	 	 	 
 	 	"name"	"mg_meine_mapgroup"	 
 	 	"maps"	 	 
 	 	{	 	 
 	 	 	"de_map1"	""
 	 	 	"de_map2"	""
 	 	 	"de_map3"	""
 	 	 	"de_map4"	""
 	 	}	 	 
 	}	 	 	 
}

Tickrate

The set tick rate determines the frequency of the server sending the position of one player to the other players. The higher the value, the better the gaming experience. The following values can be set: 33, 64, 100 and 128 (best value).

Startmap

The start map is used to determine which map should be loaded during the startup process. It is important that the name of the map is written completely and correctly. The file extension is not necessary.

Pingboost

Pingboost is a way to change the feel of the game by various methods to achieve the lowest possible ping.

Configuration via server.cfg

In the server.cfg you can change the settings for server name, rcon password and server password.

hostname

The host name defines the name of the server. The name will be displayed in the server list and in scoreboard.

**rcon_password **

The rcon_password is needed to execute server commands in the game or via Rcon tools like HLSW. This can be done with the following commands:

rcon_password YourPassword
rcon command // For example: rcon changelevel de_dust2

sv_password

If you want to use your server privately or if you only want certain people to have access to it, you can set a server password. You will be prompted for the password when you connect to the server.

sv_cheats

Certain commands are protected and can therefore only be used if cheats are enabled. The command can be enabled or disabled with the value 0 (disabled) or 1 (enabled). Protected commands include, for example:

• god, sv_infinite_ammo, noclip, r_drawothermodels 2, mat_wireframe 2, enable_skeleton_draw 1, mat_fullbright 3 and a few more.

Gamemode specific configuration

As described at the beginning you can define the gamemode/gametype you want to use in the interface at the settings page. After that you have to adjust your settings and modify the corresponding config file. In the gamemode-configs you can make detailed changes to the gameplay, bot behaviour etc.

Bot Commands

bot_chatter This command defines what the bots are allowed to say in the game. It can be set either to off, radio, minimal or normal.

bot_difficulty This command defines how difficult bots are. The following values can be set:

• 0 - easy
• 1 - normal
• 2 - hard
• 3 - expert

bot_quota This command defines the maximum number of bots you can have on your server. The default value is 10.

bot_quota_mode This command defines the mode that is used to control the amount of bots. The options are: normal, fill and match. Normal is normal behavior. Fill fills the server with as many bots as is set for "bot_quota". Match fills player slots. For example, if 3 players are connected and 10 bots are set, then only 7 bots are used.

Money Commands

cash_player_bomb_defused This command defines how much money a player earns for defusing a bomb. You can' t give more than the maximum amount of money you can get on the server.

cash_player_bomb_planted This command defines how much money a player receives for planting the bomb.

cash_player_damage_hostage This command defines how much money is deducted or earned for the injury of a hostage. By default the player is charged $30 for each time the hostage gets injured.

cash_player_interact_with_hostage This command defines the money earned or lost for interaction with a hostage.

cash_player_killed_enemy_default This command defines how much money is earned or lost by killing an enemy player with a default weapon.

cash_player_killed_enemy_factor This command defines how much money is earned by killing an enemy player with one of the main weapons (standard pistols, primary rifles like the AK/M4 etc.).

cash_player_killed_hostage This command defines how much money is earned or lost when a player kills a hostage.

cash_player_killed_teammate This command defines how much money is earned or lost for killing a teammate.

cash_player_rescued_hostage This command defines how much money is earned or lost for safely rescuing a hostage in Hostage Mode.

cash_team_elimination_bomb_map This command defines how much money each team member earns if all 5 enemies on a bomb defusing map like Mirage or Dust II get killed.

cash_team_elimination_hostage_map_t This command defines how much money each terrorist earns for winning a round in a hostage map by elimination.

cash_team_elimination_hostage_map_ct This command defines how much money each team member earns on the CT side if they eliminate all 5 terrorists on a hostage map.

cash_team_hostage_alive This command defines how much money is earned or lost if a hostage survives the round.

cash_team_hostage_interaction This command defines how much money is earned or lost for a player interacting with a hostage.

cash_team_loser_bonus This command defines the initial money a team earns for losing a round. This increases in fixed steps, which is controlled by a separate command.

cash_team_loser_bonus_consecutive_rounds This command defines how much money should be increased for a sequence of losses. If this value is $500 (default setting), this means that each successive round of losses will give the losing team $500 more than the previous one. This applies to up to 5 successive rounds of losses.

cash_team_planted_bomb_but_defused This command defines the amount of money the Terrorist team earns for planting a bomb that is ultimately defused. This stacks along with the round loss bonus. The default value is $800.

cash_team_rescued_hostage This command defines the amount of money that the whole team earns for one player rescuing the hostage.

cash_team_terrorist_win_bomb This command defines the amount of cash won by each player on the Terrorist team when they win a round by the bomb exploding.

cash_team_win_by_defusing_bomb This command defines the amount of money the CT team earns for winning a round by defusing the bomb.

cash_team_win_by_hostage_rescue This cheat command defines the amount of money won by team members when they win a round by rescuing a hostage.

cash_team_win_by_time_running_out_hostage This command defines the amount of money won by the team guarding the hostages if they win the round by not allowing any hostages to be rescued within the time limit.

cash_team_win_by_time_running_out_bomb This command defines how much money the players of the counter-terrorists earn by winning a round when time expires. This means that the terrorists have not placed a bomb or eliminated all counter-terrorists in the required time.

Gameplay Befehle

mp_afterroundmoney This command defines how much money is paid to each player of each team at the end of a round, regardless of victory or defeat. The default value is 0 (the win/loss bonus is set with another command).

mp_buytime This command defines the time (in seconds) that players have to buy equipment after the start of a round.

mp_buy_anywhere This command defines whether players can access the buy menu outside of the buy zone. Keep in mind that the buy time still applies.

mp_death_drop_defuser This command defines if defuse kits are dropped on death or not.

mp_death_drop_grenade This command defines which grenade (if any) is dropped when a player is killed:

• Value: 0 - Drop no grenades on death
• Value: 1 - Drop the best most valueable grenade on death

mp_death_drop_gun This command defines which weapon should be dropped when a player is killed. The default setting is 1 ( the best ). Choose one of the following options:

• Value: 0 - Drop no guns on death
• Value: 1 - Drop the best gun on death
• Value: 2 - If there is a gun in the hand of the player at the time of death, drop that, if not, drop their most valuable gun

mp_defuser_allocation This command defines whether players should receive a defuser for free at the beginning of the round or not, and if so, who should receive the defusers:

• Value: 1 - No free defusers
• Value: 2 - Random players receive a defuser
• Value: 3 - All players receive a defuser

mp_force_pick_time

This command defines the duration in seconds that a player has to select a team. After this time a team is automatically selected. The default duration is 15 seconds.

mp_forcecamera

This command sets the scope spectators have (i.e. who players can spectate when they die). See argument information for scopes:

• Value: 0 - Dead players can watch every player
• Value: 1 - Dead players can watch their teammates
• Value: 2 - The screen turns black until the next round.

mp_free_armor

This command defines whether a player receives free armour and helmet at the beginning of the round:

• Value: 0 - Disabled
• Value: 1 - Enabled

mp_freezetime

This command defines how long players are frozen for at the start of each the round. This freeze time allows players to buy their gear and discuss tactics before the round begins. Default is 15 seconds.

mp_friendlyfire

This command defines whether friendly fire is enabled or disabled. When friendly fire is activated, players can cause damage to their own teammates. The default setting for this command depends on the game mode. In competitive game modes, friendly fire is activated, but not in casual games.

mp_win_panel_display_time

This command defines the time (in seconds) in which the scoreboard is to be displayed between rounds. The default setting is 3 seconds.

mp_respawn_immunitytime

This command defines how many seconds players are immune after their respawn. This command is used for the Deathmatch game mode.

mp_halftime

This command defines whether the teams are changed at half time or not. The default value is set to 1.

mp_maxmoney

This command defines the maximum amount of money a player can have.

mp_maxrounds

This command defines the maximum amount of rounds that the server will play for.

mp_roundtime

This command defines the maximum number of minutes a round lasts before it is won/lost. If the round is abandoned after this time, the victory of the round is handed over to the counter-terrorists. The seconds are given in decimal digits, 1.92 = 1m55s.

mp_solid_teammates

This command defines whether you can collide with your teammates or not:

• Value: 0 - Collision disabled
• Value: 1: Collision enabled

mp_startmoney

This command defines how much money a player receives at the beginning of a half. The default value is $800.

mp_timelimit

This command defines the maximum duration of each game in minutes. By default this is disabled (set to 0).

mp_warmuptime

This command defines how long the warm-up period lasts before the actual game starts. The time is defined in seconds.

sv_allow_votes

This command defines whether voting (e.g. timeout voting) is allowed or not:

• Value: 0 - Disabled
• Value: 1 - Enabled

sv_infinite_ammo

This command defines whether players get unlimited ammunition or not:

• Value: 1 - Infinite ammunition that can be fired without reloading.
• Value: 2 - Infinite number of ammunition magazines. However, the magazine must be reloaded when it's empty.

ammo_grenade_limit_flashbang

This command defines how many flash grenades a player can carry.

ammo_grenade_limit_total

This command defines how many grenades a player can carry in total.

Esport-Ready Configuration (ESL Configs)

If you want to use the server for e-sports purposes, it is worth to upload the configs provided by ESL. You can download them from the official site of the ESL: Download

Configs have to be uploaded to the cfg directory and can be executed in the game with the following commands:

rcon_password YourPassword // Login via rcon to execute rcon commands
rcon exec esl5on5

After that, all ESL command values will be loaded and the game can start!