A Counter-Strike server is one of the classic self-host projects. Here's how the pieces fit — the dedicated server, SourceMod, maps and tickrate — without the guesswork.
Which Counter-Strike?
Counter-Strike dedicated servers are deployed via SteamCMD , and the Source-engine lineage (CS:GO, and its successor CS2) shares the same general hosting model: a dedicated server binary, SourceMod/MetaMod for plugins, and config files you control. We provision CS:GO / Source-engine servers on the panel; if you need a specific build, message support@overnight.host before ordering and we'll confirm what we can run for you. We'd rather be straight than over-promise a particular client version.
Step 1 — Size your plan
- 2 GB — a small competitive/practice server.
- 4 GB — the sweet spot once you add SourceMod, bots and more slots.
Step 2 — Deploy
- Order a Counter-Strike plan and pick it at checkout.
- Your Pterodactyl panel login arrives by email within minutes; the egg pulls the dedicated server via SteamCMD.
- Set your hostname, map and max players in the startup variables and start the server.
Step 3 — SourceMod & MetaMod
Most community features (admin menus, retakes, surf/bhop timers, warmup, custom commands) come from SourceMod running on top of MetaMod. With full file access you install MetaMod then SourceMod into the game's addons/ folder, then drop plugins into addons/sourcemod/plugins/ and configure them under addons/sourcemod/configs/. Add yourself as admin in admins_simple.ini with your SteamID.
Step 4 — Maps & tickrate
Upload custom maps to the maps/ folder and set your map cycle/rotation in the config. You control the launch parameters, so you can run 64- or 128-tick as you prefer and set your game mode (competitive, casual, deathmatch, surf, etc.).
Step 5 — rcon & going live
Set an rcon_password in your server config and you can administer live from the in-game console or the panel. Share your connect IP:port with players, or add it to a community list. That's it — your server's on.
A Steam Game Server Login Token (GSLT) is required for public Source-engine servers — it's free from Valve's Game Server Account Management page; paste it into your server config. Our Counter-Strike hosting runs on SSD bare metal with DDoS protection, full file access and instant setup.
FAQ
Do you host CS:GO or CS2?
We provision Counter-Strike: Global Offensive / Source-engine dedicated servers via SteamCMD. If you need a specific game build, contact support before ordering and we'll confirm what we can run.
How much RAM do I need?
2 GB runs a small server; 4 GB is the comfortable sweet spot once you add SourceMod, bots and more player slots.
Can I run SourceMod and set the tickrate?
Yes — full file access means SourceMod/MetaMod, plugins and custom maps work, and you control launch parameters so you can run 64- or 128-tick.
Do I need a GSLT token?
Yes, for a public Source-engine server. It's free from Valve's Game Server Account Management page; add it to your server config.
Originally published at overnight.host. We run a small, honest hosting company on dedicated bare metal — Linux & Windows VPS, game servers, web hosting. Live status at up.overnight.host.
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