Dedicated Server¶

A headless UE build with no rendering, audio, or input. Production multiplayer hosting target.

Building¶

Install source UE via GitHub (binary engines can't build server targets)

Generate project files; create <Project>Server.Target.cs:

public class MyGameServerTarget : TargetRules
{
    public MyGameServerTarget(TargetInfo Target) : base(Target)
    {
        Type = TargetType.Server;
        DefaultBuildSettings = BuildSettingsVersion.V5;
        ExtraModuleNames.AddRange(new[] { "MyGame" });
    }
}

Build target MyGameServer Development Server | Linux (or Win64)

Launching¶

./MyGameServer.exe MyMap?Listen -log -port=7777

Flag	Effect
`-log`	Print log to stdout
`-port=7777`	Game port
`-NoSound`	Disable audio mixer
`-NoSplash`	Skip splash
`MyMap?Listen`	Initial map + listen mode (or open as standalone)

Container / cloud deployment¶

Platform	Approach
GameLift	AWS-managed UE dedicated server hosting
Agones (Kubernetes)	Open source; runs your container
Containerd / Docker	Roll your own
Hathora	Managed game server hosting
PlayFab Multiplayer Servers	Microsoft-managed

The server's Docker image needs the cooked content + the executable; no GPU driver required.

Common pitfalls¶

Server is Type = Server, not Game. The .Target.cs defines this; mistakes cause client code to be compiled into the server.
Audio / UI subsystems must compile out under WITH_SERVER_CODE macros if you reference them.
Save game / replay support — verify these paths still work without rendering.

Replays¶

Demo Net Driver records gameplay on the server, replays on clients. Useful for tournaments and bug repros. Enable in DefaultEngine.ini:

[/Script/Engine.GameNetworkManager]
ReplayLengthLimit=1800