◦ Comprehensive security
◦ 24/7 support
VPS → Gaming
Gaming VPS guide: Unlock faster, smoother gameplay with virtual private servers
If you’re a gamer, you know the struggle of lag, high ping, and those rage-inducing crashes at the worst possible moments. We’ve all been there, whether you’re building an empire in Minecraft, surviving against dinos in ARK: Survival Evolved, or setting up a Viking tavern in Valheim.
With a VPS, you get the speed, stability, and control you need. It’s perfect for gaming with friends, creating a Discord community, or just building a world where you set the terms.
Why a VPS is the ultimate hosting upgrade
A virtual private server (VPS) is a virtualized server spawned from an assigned set of resources on a physical server machine. It’s like establishing your own stronghold in Conan Exiles.
Imagine building your fortress in the Exiled Lands without any of the unpredictability of public servers. A VPS gives you a dedicated allocation of CPU, RAM, and storage that belongs solely to you, providing unmatched stability and performance.
In a world where managing thralls, crafting, and survival are critical, a VPS-hosted server is your guarantee of control and power, just like building a mighty citadel to withstand all challenges.
Recommended gaming VPS
Need more power and complete control? For the most demanding games, large multiplayers communities,
or mod-heavy setups, explore our dedicated game servers for unbeatable performance and customization.
Top benefits of using a VPS for gaming
Public game servers often suffer from lag and downtime. With a VPS, you get a stable and private space for hosting your multiplayer games.
- Reliable game performance: A VPS means your game server runs on dedicated resources, ensuring smooth and consistent gameplay without interruptions from other players.
- Full control for custom gaming: You have root access to install game mods, tweak settings, and create the gaming experience you want, making it perfect for private game servers.
- Scalable setup for growing player bases: As your player community grows, you can easily upgrade your VPS to handle more players and additional game content.
- Enhanced security for multiplayer games: With a VPS, your server is isolated from other users, reducing risks of DDoS attacks and providing a secure gaming environment for you and your players.
- High uptime for uninterrupted gameplay: VPS hosting ensures your game server is always available, minimizing unexpected downtime and keeping the action going for multiplayer sessions.
A VPS offers a powerful, reliable, and flexible way to host your gaming server, free from the issues of shared environments, and perfect for those who want to enjoy a seamless multiplayer experience.
How to choose the right gaming VPS
Choosing the right gaming VPS can mean the difference between smooth gameplay and constant frustration. Whether you’re building your base or leading a raid, picking the right setup is key.
1. Game requirements
Different games have different server needs. Heavy hitters like ARK: Survival Evolved or Rust require more RAM and CPU power than simpler games. Publishers list minimum requirements, but those are often not enough if you add mods or more players. For smoother experiences in games like Minecraft or Valheim, aim for at least 8GB of RAM.
2. Operating system
Gaming VPS servers typically run on either Linux or Windows. Each has its strengths:
- Linux: Ideal for stability and efficiency, especially for those comfortable with command lines. It’s great for advanced users looking for open-source tools and minimal cost.
- Windows: More user-friendly and better if the game supports it, though it uses more resources, so extra server power is needed.
3. Hosting provider
Not all hosting providers are made for gaming. Here’s what to look for:
- Uptime guarantees: Go for at least 99.9% uptime to avoid interruptions.
- Server speed: Low latency is crucial—ping times under 50ms are ideal.
- Scalability: Choose a provider that makes upgrading easy to support community growth.
- DDoS protection: Ensure robust protection to keep your server secure.
- Support: 24/7 expert support is crucial for troubleshooting issues quickly. Make sure your hosting provider offers real-time assistance, such as live chat or phone support.
- Server locations: Pick a provider with data centers near your player base to reduce lag.
- Control panel: Go for a user-friendly control panel, like cPanel or Plesk, for easy management.
Games that benefit from a VPS
Minecraft: Build, explore, and mod your Minecraft world exactly how you want with no restrictions, just total freedom.
Conan Exiles: Customize every aspect of survival in Hyboria, from difficulty levels to epic building projects.
ARK: Survival Evolved: Push ARK to its limits with massive dino armies, custom mods, and huge builds in intense survival landscapes.
Eco: Build a sustainable community in Eco, where every decision impacts the world’s ecosystem and survival.
DayZ: Create the ultimate zombie apocalypse with custom loot, larger player groups, and thrilling PvP encounters.
Rust: Experience seamless Rust survival with smooth raiding, large player counts, and custom settings to fit your style.
Valheim: Forge your Viking saga with friends, battling epic bosses and building legendary forts across sprawling worlds.
Garry’s Mod: Unlock endless creativity with custom modes, maps, and addons in GMod’s open sandbox.
Arma 3: Run ambitious Arma 3 military missions, from solo ops to massive team-based battles, with no performance dips.
Unturned: Dive into a custom zombie survival experience, fully modded with endless items and horde battles.
Squad: Enjoy smooth, tactical combat on large maps with seamless gameplay, perfect for serious team-based action.
Don’t Starve Together: Survive longer with modded co-op in Don’t Starve Together, facing endless monsters and madness.
Ready to level up your gaming experience?
A VPS gives you the power to craft your perfect server, whether it’s building in Eco, surviving in Project Zomboid, or exploring in Unturned. Gain control, reliable performance, and strong security to keep every session running smoothly.
Liquid Web’s VPS hosting offers top-tier hardware, 24/7 expert support, and high uptime to keep your game server running seamlessly. And if you’re looking for robust power and control, our gaming hosting is a great fit.
Whether you’re hosting a small group of friends or managing a large gaming community on Discord, Liquid Web has the solution to keep your gameplay smooth and reliable.
Getting started with a gaming VPS
Explore all of our cloud VPS solutions and choose or configure a virtual game server that meets your specific needs. Not sure where to start? Chat with an expert and get all your questions answered. →
Alex Napier is an Affiliate Program Manager at Liquid Web and a gaming marketing specialist. He blends data with creativity to build engaging communities. Outside of work, Alex enjoys exploring new games, crafting tabletop worlds, and connecting with the gaming community.
Additional resources
Complete guide to building a home gaming server →
Step-by-step for Steam and non-Steam games
Dedicated vs. listen servers →
What’s the difference and what does it mean for your game?
Gaming industry stats [2024] →
A world at play: Gaming industry statistics and trends