How to Make a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Server on Linux (Manually and With Game Panel)

While setting up a personal CS:GO server might seem complicated, you can actually do so in under an hour with the right tools.

In this tutorial, we’ll go over two methods on how to make a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive server on the Linux operating system. The first is via our Game Panel – a more beginner-friendly and quicker option, while the other one is manual installation.

Let’s start by explaining why you should start such a server and reviewing its different game modes.

Why Start CS:GO Server

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive relies on an internet connection to be fully functional and offer unique gameplay and updates. While playing offline is possible, the online version delivers more competitive and exciting action.

To make the most out of your online gaming experience, consider using a VPS hosting service. It offers plenty of customization options, letting you configure the server into these game modes:

• Deathmatch – gives you 10 minutes to eliminate as many enemies as possible. Respawn times are quick and completely random. Depending on the server settings, players can choose their weapons or get random ones each time they respawn.

• Gun game – players race to upgrade their weapons as fast as possible by eliminating other users. They start with weak weapons such as pistols and end with rifles such as AK-47s or AWPs.
• Casual – consists of team battles on various maps. As there are no respawns, and money is limited, it’s a great place to tailor your skills and collaborate with the team.
• Demolition – spawns players on small bomb site maps with limited inventory. The main challenge is that players can only unlock new weapons by defeating enemy combatants.
• Hide and seek – if players opt for the Counter Terrorist (CT) side, their main goal is to find where the Terrorists (T) team is hiding. Mind that CT can only use knives. Meanwhile, if players choose T, they will have to hide from CT. Furthermore, hide-and-seek maps usually have secret areas, letting you hide in secret doorways, walls, and crevices.
• Bunnyhop – once discovered as a bug, now bunnyhop serves an essential role in the CS:GO world. It works by preserving the player’s speed while in the air, allowing them to accelerate mobility. In short, bhop maps are designed as jump courses you should complete as fast as possible.
• Surf – yet another glitch that turned into one of the most popular CS:GO game modes. Surfing enables players to gain speed when hugging steep angles quickly. Thousands of surf maps are available, and players can choose the one that suits them best.
• Kreedz Climbing (KZ) – one of the oldest and most challenging game modes. The main goal is to complete a vertical obstacle course as fast as possible. To do so, players must be familiar with bunnyhop and long jumping mechanics.
• Flying scout – as the name suggests, this mode only gives players an SSG 08 (Scout) and a knife with the ability to jump around the map with significantly reduced gravity. The main objective is to eliminate enemy players.

Other benefits of starting your own server include:

• Network – since you are responsible for the server, you can choose a location suitable for you and your friends, improving the connection and playing experience.
• Control – as the server admin, you have the power to kick or ban anyone who doesn’t play by the rules. Furthermore, you can customize the server with any new updates or even completely change its type to a different mode.

For this tutorial, we will use Ubuntu 20.04 Linux VPS to make a CS:GO virtual private server. To follow along, you will need to log in to your server through SSH using your root details.

How to Start a CS:GO Server Using Game Panel

An easier and quicker way to start a CS:GO server is via our Game Panel. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Create a New CS:GO Instance

Firstly, log in to the Game Panel and click on Create Instance. Then select Counter-Strike Global Offensive and hit Create Instance again.

Once done, click on the Manage button.

Note that the components may take up to 15 minutes to download and install.

2. Configure CS:GO Server Settings

Next, it’s time to configure the server. Open the Steam server management page to create a game server account. Note that:

• App ID of the base game – type 730 for CS:GO here. Meanwhile, 740 is used specifically for a dedicated server.
• Memo – you can leave a reminder for yourself here.

Then, navigate to the Configuration → Source Server Settings window, set your preferred settings, and fill in the Game Server Account Token (GSLT).

You can obtain the GSLT from the Steam server management page under the Login Token tab.

2. Restart the CS:GO Server

Now, restart the server. To do so, navigate back to the Instances, click on Manage, and hit Restart.

Give it a couple of minutes. Once done, use the Endpoint IP to connect to the server.

How to Make a CS:GO Server Manually

Alternatively, you can create a CS:GO virtual private server manually.

1. Install Pre-Depends

First, install the lib32gcc1 runtime library to ensure that every following process will work properly. To get the package, proceed with the following command:

apt-get install lib32gcc1

2. Download and Install SteamCMD

1. We don’t recommend installing SteamCMD as a root user, since the program might mess with the system. To prevent this, create a new user with the useradd command:
   useradd -m steam
2. Once the account is created, log in as a steam user to download SteamCMD. Use the following command to log in:
   su - steam
   To make a directory structured, create and enter the Steam directory with the following command:
   mkdir ~/Steam && cd ~/Steam
3. Now, download the latest version of SteamCMD from the Valve server using the following command:
   wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
4. After that, run a tar command to unzip the file:
   tar xf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
5. Lastly, enter this line to run the program:
   ./steamcmd.sh

3. Use SteamCMD to Download Server Files

1. After installation, you should see a Steam prompt:
   Steam>
2. Use the following command and choose a folder name for the installation folder:
   force_install_dir ./cs_go/
3. Now, log in to your Steam account:
   login <username> <password>
4. Install and validate the CS:GO server files:
   app_update 740 validate
In this case, 740 is the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive dedicated server ID. This whole process can take up to 30 minutes.
5. After validation, open the Steam server management page to create a game server account. Now, type 730 for App ID of the base game – CS:GO.

4. Start Your CS:GO Server

Starting your server will differ depending on the game mode. Go to the cs_go directory and use the srcds_run application with one of the following game modes:

Classic Casual:

./srcds_run -game csgo -console -usercon +game_type 0 +game_mode 0 +mapgroup mg_active +map de_dust2 +sv_setsteamaccount YourLoginToken -net_port_try

Classic Competitive:

./srcds_run -game csgo -console -usercon +game_type 0 +game_mode 1 +mapgroup mg_active +map de_dust2 +sv_setsteamaccount YourLoginToken -net_port_try

Deathmatch:

./srcds_run -game csgo -console -usercon +game_type 1 +game_mode 2 +mapgroup mg_allclassic +map de_dust +sv_setsteamaccount YourLoginToken -net_port_try

The server IP will be your VPS IP, while the port will be 27015. If you wish to configure your server, do that with the help of files inside ~/Steam/cs_go/csgo/cfg folder.

Conclusion

Playing CS:GO online with your friends can be extremely exciting, especially when you can tailor the server to your needs.

In this tutorial, we’ve gone through the process of setting up a CS:GO server, either manually or with the help of our Game Panel. While both methods work fine, we recommend using the Game Panel option as it is easier and quicker.

In case you have any questions, leave a comment below.