Generate a Left 4 Dead 2 server.cfg

Tweaking Left 4 Dead 2 is complicated by the AI Director, which puts back many of the values people try to change here.

Visual Settings

source Format

Identity

hostname

Server name in the browser.

Gameplay

sv_gametypes

Comma-separated game modes the server offers.

z_difficulty

Campaign difficulty. Impossible is Expert.

sv_alltalk

Both teams hear each other on voice.

sv_cheats

Cheat commands. Many pacing and difficulty values are re-applied by the Director once a campaign starts, so they will not stick from this file alone.

Players & Access

sv_password

Join password.

Network

sv_setsteamaccount

Game server login token for public listing.

sv_allow_lobby_connect_only

On, players can only arrive through a Steam lobby and direct connections are refused — the usual reason a reachable server rejects friends joining by address.

RCON & Query

rcon_password

Remote console password.

server.cfg

rcon_password — This is still the example RCON password. Change it, and keep the RCON port off the public internet.

sv_setsteamaccount — Without a game server login token the server will not appear in the public browser, however your ports are configured.

hostname "My L4D2"
sv_password ""
rcon_password "changeme"
sv_setsteamaccount 
sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0
sv_gametypes coop,versus,survival
z_difficulty Normal
sv_alltalk 0
sv_cheats 0

The server.cfg format

Normal Source command syntax. What complicates it is the order things load in — server.cfg first, then configs specific to the gamemode, and then the Director layering its own values on top for anything to do with pacing and difficulty.

The mistake that wastes an evening

Difficulty and spawn settings placed in server.cfg are often overridden as soon as a campaign begins. If a value will not stay put, move it into the gamemode-specific config instead of the general one — and be aware that some of it cannot be changed at all without a plugin.

How much RAM a Left 4 Dead 2 server needs Check a Left 4 Dead 2 server’s status Left 4 Dead 2 server hosting All games

Visual Settings

server.cfg

The server.cfg format

The mistake that wastes an evening

Rather not run the server yourself?