Run your own game server on a German VPS

Updated 2026-10-30

You can run your own game server on a Wolkra KVM VPS in Frankfurt: you get root access, unmetered traffic and a location in central Europe, and you install the dedicated server software for the game yourself.

This page explains what works well, how to size a server, and what we don't promise.

What you get for a game server

• A full KVM virtual machine with root access and its own kernel, so server software and tools install like on any Linux machine.
• Unmetered traffic with fair use. Player traffic, mod downloads and map transfers carry no per-GB fees.
• Ports up to 10 Gbit/s, shared. Plenty for game traffic, which is usually small packets, many times a second.
• Central Europe. Frankfurt gives low latency across Europe from the centre of Europe, which suits groups of players spread over several countries.
• Hourly billing. Run a server for a weekend event and pay for the hours it existed.

What we don't promise

• No game-specific guarantees. We don't test or vouch for particular games, and we can't promise how a given game performs. That depends on the game's server software, mods and player count.
• No DDoS protection. Servers have no DDoS filtering from us. If your community is a likely target, plan for that yourself.
• Linux only. Game servers that need Windows don't fit our images.
• Fair use. Traffic is unmetered, but servers that put unusual load on the platform can be limited under the Acceptable Use Policy.

Sizing a game server

Game servers vary a lot. Many run game logic on one or two threads, so per-core speed matters more than core count. Memory grows with players, world size and mods.

• Small private servers for friends: a Standard (s) plan with 2 to 4 GB of memory is often enough.
• CPU-bound games or busier servers: a CPU-optimised (c) plan.
• Large worlds or heavy mod packs: a memory-optimised (m) plan.

Start with the game's published requirements, watch the CPU graph in the console during a real session, and resize up if needed. The disk can grow with the plan but not shrink.

Setting up a server

1. Create a server from a Linux image, such as Ubuntu or Debian. See operating systems.
2. Add your SSH key and apply updates. See first steps on a new VPS.
3. Create a dedicated user for the game server instead of running it as root.
4. Install the server software with the game's official tools, or run it in a container with the Docker app. Many community images exist for popular dedicated servers.
5. Open the game's ports in a free Wolkra firewall. Only open the TCP and UDP ports the game needs, plus SSH.
6. Run it as a service with systemd or Docker's restart policy, so it comes back after a reboot.

Saves and worlds

Keep saves, worlds and configs on a block storage volume, so they survive a rebuild and can move to a bigger server. Turn on daily backups for 20% of the server price, with 7 restore points, and take a snapshot before updating the game or mods.

A stable address

Give players a domain name instead of a raw address, and use a floating IP if you might move the server. Players then keep the same address when you switch to a new machine.

Several servers and communities

• Run a lobby or website on one server and game instances on others, all in a private network.
• Use placement groups to keep instances on different hosts.
• Give admins access through teams and projects, with roles that limit who can delete servers.
• Run a WireGuard VPN so admin panels and RCON ports are never public.

Saving money between sessions

Because billing is hourly, a server that only runs on weekends doesn't need to exist all week:

1. After a session, take a snapshot.
2. Delete the server.
3. Before the next session, create a new server from the snapshot.

Snapshots are billed per GB. A floating IP keeps the address the same between rebuilds.

Why host your game server on Wolkra

• Unmetered traffic, no bandwidth bill. See unmetered bandwidth.
• KVM virtualisation with full control. See KVM VPS.
• Germany, central Europe. See VPS Frankfurt.
• Prepaid, no contract, by card or crypto. See crypto VPS.

Start your game server

Sign up, add balance, and launch a Linux server in Frankfurt for your community.