How To Configure Your Nuclear Option Server

Complete guide to configuring your Nuclear Option dedicated server — DedicatedServerConfig.json reference with all settings.

Nuclear Option server configuration is managed through DedicatedServerConfig.json in the server root directory. This file is auto-generated on first launch.

Using the Panel Startup Settings

For common settings, use the panel's Startup page:

Log in to the XGamingServer Panel
Click Startup in the sidebar
Adjust fields like Server Name, Max Players, Password
Restart from the Console page

Editing DedicatedServerConfig.json

For full control, edit the config file directly. Stop your server first.

In the panel, click Files
Open DedicatedServerConfig.json
Edit the settings below
Save and start your server

⚠️ Important: This is a JSON file — syntax matters. A missing comma or bracket will prevent the server from starting. Double-check your formatting before saving.

Server Identity

Setting	Type	Default	Description
`ServerName`	string	`"Nuclear Option Server"`	Display name in the server browser
`Password`	string	`""`	Join password (empty = public)
`Hidden`	boolean	`false`	Hide from the public server browser
`MaxPlayers`	integer	`16`	Maximum player count
`ModdedServer`	boolean	`false`	Flag the server as modded

📝 Note: Player counts above 16 trigger an in-game performance warning. The game can handle more, but performance may degrade in large battles.

Network

Setting	Type	Default	Description
`Port`	object	`{"IsOverride": false, "Value": 0}`	Game port (UDP) — set `IsOverride: true` to use a custom value
`QueryPort`	object	`{"IsOverride": false, "Value": 0}`	Query port (UDP) — same override format

Default ports when not overridden:

Port	Protocol	Default	Purpose
Game	UDP	7777	Player connections and game traffic
Query	UDP	7778	Steam server browser listing
Command	TCP	7779	Remote command system (optional)

📝 Note: On XGamingServer, ports are assigned by the panel — you generally don't need to override these.

Mission Rotation

The MissionRotation array controls which missions the server cycles through:

"MissionRotation": [
  {
    "Key": { "Group": "BuiltIn", "Name": "Escalation" },
    "MaxTime": 7200.0
  },
  {
    "Key": { "Group": "BuiltIn", "Name": "Terminal Control" },
    "MaxTime": 7200.0
  }
]

Group — "BuiltIn" for official missions, "User" for custom/workshop missions
Name — mission name (must match exactly)
MaxTime — maximum mission duration in seconds (7200 = 2 hours)

Available Built-In Missions

Name	Type	Description
`Escalation`	Large Scale War	War of attrition — unlock progressively stronger aircraft, navy, and nuclear weapons
`Terminal Control`	Island Capture	Island-hopping campaign — capture and hold airbases
`Confrontation`	Combined Arms	Smaller aircraft only — one main airbase per side plus forward bases
`Domination`	Air Superiority	All high-end aircraft from the start — destroy enemy aircraft factories
`Altercation`	Small Scale	Low-intensity — no medium/long-range air-to-air missiles
`Breakout`	Naval Defense (Co-op)	PvE — defend airbase from naval assault

Rotation Types

`RotationType` Value	Behavior
`0`	Sequential — plays missions in order
`1`	Pure Random — allows repeats
`2`	Random Queue — no repeats until all missions have been played

Timing Settings

Setting	Type	Default	Description
`NoPlayerStopTime`	float	`30.0`	Seconds to wait before unloading the mission when the server is empty
`PostMissionDelay`	float	`30.0`	Seconds between mission end and loading the next mission

Ban Management

Setting	Type	Default	Description
`BanListPaths`	array	`["ban_list.txt"]`	Paths to ban list files (one SteamID per line)
`DisableErrorKick`	boolean	`false`	Prevent auto-kicking players who cause errors
`ErrorKickImmuneListPaths`	array	`[]`	SteamID files for error-kick immunity

Custom Missions

Setting	Type	Description
`MissionDirectory`	string	Path to folder containing custom mission files

For custom/Workshop missions, set the Group to "User" in the rotation and point MissionDirectory to the folder containing the mission files.

Example Full Configuration

{
  "ServerName": "XGaming Air Combat",
  "MaxPlayers": 16,
  "Password": "",
  "Hidden": false,
  "ModdedServer": false,
  "Port": { "IsOverride": false, "Value": 0 },
  "QueryPort": { "IsOverride": false, "Value": 0 },
  "NoPlayerStopTime": 30.0,
  "PostMissionDelay": 30.0,
  "RotationType": 0,
  "BanListPaths": ["ban_list.txt"],
  "DisableErrorKick": false,
  "MissionRotation": [
    {
      "Key": { "Group": "BuiltIn", "Name": "Escalation" },
      "MaxTime": 7200.0
    },
    {
      "Key": { "Group": "BuiltIn", "Name": "Terminal Control" },
      "MaxTime": 7200.0
    },
    {
      "Key": { "Group": "BuiltIn", "Name": "Confrontation" },
      "MaxTime": 3600.0
    }
  ]
}

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How To Configure Your Nuclear Option Server

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