Lan Party Game Hosting

Hosting multiplayer games on LAN

07-06-23

Counter-Strike: Source

System Info:

• OS: Arch Linux
• Proton version: N/A

Configuration

Open the following ports:

• 27015 (TCP/UDP)
• 27020 (UDP)
• 27005 (UDP)
• 26900 (UDP)

iptables -A INPUT -p <tcp/udp> --dport <port> -j ACCEPT

Starting the server

On the host:

1. “Create Server”
2. Host joins spectators
3. Console: sv_lan 1

Joining the server

On the client:

1. Open console
2. connect <ip>

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

System Info:

• OS: Arch Linux
• Proton version: Latest (8.0-2)

Configuration

• NAT type: Open

Starting the server

On the host:

1. “Private Match”
2. Invite on Steam
3. Join a team
4. Change team -> Spectators

Joining the server

On the client:

1. Accept invite

Notes

• From what I’ve gathered, there’s no way to host this on LAN.
• MW2sa, a popular kick tool, has been discontinued, but there are alternatives. This doesn’t pertain to what I’m trying to accomplish, but it’s also interesting to me.
  • It’s understandably restricted, but I can’t help but feel a little sketched out to sign up to get access to a black-box .exe. Probably won’t be trying that one out.
• MW2 Lobby Tools also exists, and I may give that a try

Star Wars Battlefront II (2005)

System Info:

• OS: Arch Linux / Windows 10
• Proton version: Latest (8.0-2)

Configuration

N/A

Starting the server

On the host:

1. “Multiplayer” -> “Create”
2. “LAN” dropdown
3. Set a password
4. Host joins spectator

Joining the server

On the client:

1. LAN game will appear on “Multiplayer” tab
2. Enter password

Notes

• Issues with peer-to-peer Linux (Steam Deck hosting), but it doesn’t occur anymore

Tagged: homelab linux networking