How to Configure Your Quake 3 Server (server.cfg)
Complete Quake 3 server.cfg reference — hostname, game types, maps, RCON, and the pak0.pk3 requirement.
Quake 3 uses server.cfg inside the baseq3/ directory. This is a standard id Tech 3 config file with seta commands.
How to Edit server.cfg
Stop the server
In the XGamingServer Panel, go to Console and stop your server.
Open server.cfg
Click Files in the sidebar and navigate to baseq3/server.cfg.
Edit and save
Make your changes, click Save Content, then start from Console.
Key Settings
seta sv_hostname "My Q3 Server"
seta sv_maxclients 16
seta g_gametype 0
seta rconPassword "YourSecureRconPassword"
seta sv_pure 1
seta fraglimit 25
seta timelimit 15| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
sv_hostname | Server name shown in the browser |
sv_maxclients | Max simultaneous players |
g_gametype | Game mode (see table below) |
rconPassword | Remote console password — set this for admin access |
sv_pure | 1 requires pure clients (no custom files), 0 allows mods |
fraglimit | Frags needed to win a match |
timelimit | Match time limit in minutes |
Game Types
| Value | Mode |
|---|---|
0 | Free For All |
1 | Tournament (1v1) |
3 | Team Deathmatch |
4 | Capture The Flag |
pak0.pk3 Requirement
The server requires pak0.pk3 from a legitimate Quake 3 installation in the baseq3/ directory. Without it, the server cannot start.
Get pak0.pk3 from your Quake 3 install
Locate pak0.pk3 in your local Quake 3 install at:
<Quake 3 install dir>/baseq3/pak0.pk3Upload to the server
In Files, navigate to baseq3/ and upload pak0.pk3.
Custom Maps
Upload .pk3 map files to baseq3/. Add map names to mapcycle.txt for rotation between matches.
RCON
Set rconPassword in server.cfg and connect with any Q3 RCON tool. Send commands prefixed with rcon:
\rcon YourPassword status
\rcon YourPassword map q3dm6Required Ports
| Port | Protocol | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 27960 | UDP | Game traffic |
Related Guides
How is this guide?
