Hosting a Rocket League LAN Server

Greetings Dev! If you are a fan of Rocket League and want to play with your friends in a LAN party, then hosting your own LAN server is the way to go. A LAN server allows you to play with your friends without an internet connection, providing a smoother and more stable game experience. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up and hosting a Rocket League LAN server. Let’s get started!

System Requirements

Before we begin, let’s take a look at the system requirements for hosting a Rocket League LAN server:

Requirement	Minimum
Operating System	Windows 7 or later, 64-bit
Processor	2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 or equivalent
Memory (RAM)	8 GB
Network	Gigabit Ethernet

Make sure that your system meets these minimum requirements before proceeding.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Download and Install SteamCMD

To host a Rocket League LAN server, you need to install SteamCMD, which is a command-line tool that allows you to download and install Steam games and dedicated servers. Follow these steps to download and install SteamCMD:

1. Download SteamCMD from the official website: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
2. Extract the contents of the zip file to a folder of your choice, for example, C:\SteamCMD
3. Open a command prompt as an administrator
4. Navigate to the SteamCMD folder by typing: cd C:\SteamCMD
5. Run SteamCMD by typing: steamcmd.exe

Step 2: Install Rocket League Dedicated Server

Now that you have SteamCMD installed, you can use it to download and install the Rocket League dedicated server. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to Steam with your account by typing: login your_username your_password
2. Set the installation directory by typing: force_install_dir C:\RLServer (change the directory to a folder of your choice)
3. Download and install the Rocket League dedicated server by typing: app_update 252950 validate
4. Wait for the download and installation to complete
5. Exit SteamCMD by typing: exit

Step 3: Configure the Server

Now that you have the Rocket League dedicated server installed, you need to configure it for LAN play. Follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the installation directory by typing: cd C:\RLServer\Binaries\Win64
2. Open the file rocketleaguepreference.cfg with a text editor
3. Edit the following lines:

LANMatchmaking=trueAllowJoinInProgress=truebAllowPrivateMatch=truebOfflinePlayWithBots=true

4. Save the file

Step 4: Start the Server

You are now ready to start the Rocket League LAN server. Follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the installation directory by typing: cd C:\RLServer\Binaries\Win64
2. Start the server by typing: RocketLeagueServer.exe
3. You should see the server console output, indicating that the server is running

FAQ

Q1: Can I host a Rocket League LAN server without SteamCMD?

No, you need to install SteamCMD to download and install the Rocket League dedicated server.

Q2: Can I use a wireless network to play on a Rocket League LAN server?

It is not recommended to use a wireless network for LAN play, as it may cause lag and disconnections. Use a wired Gigabit Ethernet network for best performance.

Q3: How many players can join a Rocket League LAN server?

A Rocket League LAN server can host up to 8 players.

Q4: Can I customize the Rocket League LAN server settings?

Yes, you can customize the server settings by editing the rocketleaguepreference.cfg file.

Q5: Can I host a Rocket League LAN server on a Mac or Linux?

No, the Rocket League dedicated server is only available for Windows.

That’s it, Dev! You now know how to host a Rocket League LAN server. Gather your friends and enjoy playing Rocket League without the lag and instability of online play. Have fun!