MW3 Dedicated Server: Basics

by Sledgehammer Games

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This document provides the basic steps to setup, host, and join a dedicated server in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3!

Table of Contents

Introduction

Recipes

Dedicated Server Playlist

Going Live!

Joining a Dedicated Server

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h1. Introduction

Welcome to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3! This is a quick look at how to setup, host, and join a dedicated server! You will learn about creating a recipe, a playlist, installing them on the server, and pushing the server live. SHG will be releasing part 2 of our guide soon detailing the more "Advanced" features of Dedicated Server including RCON, Voting, and more!

The "basic" steps of running a dedicated server are:

Create a set of recipes

Create a playlist

Start the dedicated server executable

Invoke the playlist on the server

Start the map rotation

Enjoy!

h1. Recipes

1. A recipe is the match rules for a given map. In this section we show you how to create, save, modify, and load recipes. Using the Private Match feature you can easily create recipes to your liking. Additionally you can modify recipes in a text editor if you prefer. We've shipped with several example recipes found here: Creating a Recipe:

*2. Access the recipe via the Private Match Game Setup Screen. *

Select: PLAY ->PRIVATE MATCH ->GAME SETUP

3. Now select what type of mode you want to create a recipe for.

Select: MODE

*4. Depending on the mode different options to tweak are available. Tweak those options on the Game Setup screen.* Select: OPTIONS ** 5. Tweak the options to your liking *

*

*6. Now save it to the Admin folder to be used by the Dedicated Server. The save location is:* a. +Select: SAVE RECIPE TO DISK+

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* *

*7. Your newly created recipe is now saved to the admin folder in the game root.*

* a. \steamapps\common\modern warfare 3\admin\++ ++ b. Most likely corresponds to: C:\Program Files (x86)\++ ++ c. The .dsr files are text files editable in notepad*

*8. If you want to modify a previously saved recipe select the Load option from the main menu. And repeat step 4.*

*Select: LOAD RECIPE TO DISK ++ +!http://cdn2.callofduty.com/sledgehammer/assets/library/gallery/113/947_medium.jpg!+ ++

h1. +*Dedicated Server Playlist*+

*A Dedicated Server Playlist is a text file with a collection of map recipe pairs defining your map rotation. Additionally you determine a weight for each map recipe pair allowing you to increase or decrease the frequency a given pair is rotated to. The Playlist files have the extension .dspl (Dedicated Server Playlist)*

* *

*A .dspl is a simple text file with the following format:*

* *

*<level_name>, <recipe_name>, <weight>*

*

*2. You can use a * to denote a random map++ +3. We shipped with an example .dspl that has more info found+ +<SteamRoot>\steamapps\common\modern warfare 3\admin\default.dspl+ ++ +4. While playing, editing the playlist or a recipewill not be reflected untilthe next map rotate.+<div> h1. ++Going Live!*++

*Now that you've made your recipes and playlist, it's time to install them on the server. Ensure all relevant files are in the admin directory:*

*\steamapps\common\modern warfare 3\admin*

*1. Launch the dedicated server from the Steam->Tools Menu*

*