# Hosting an Unreal Engine dedicated server

> NetCraftGames is designed to host a packaged Unreal Linux dedicated server over UDP. Epic requires a source build of the engine and a C++ project for dedicated servers, so the main work is yours before submitting. Not certified yet.

*NetCraftGames (NCG) by Charging Bull Software. Last updated: 2026-10-03. Canonical page: https://netcraftgames.com/engines/unreal-engine/*

## Short answer

Yes, by design, for a **packaged Linux dedicated server** that already implements Unreal replication. Epic's documentation says a dedicated server needs a source build of Unreal Engine and a C++ project, with a `<Project>Server.Target.cs` file, and that a dedicated server listens on port 7777 by default. NetCraftGames deploys the packaged server, checks it, and gives clients the address. It has not been certified with a live Unreal game yet.

## What you must have before submitting

- A source-built Unreal Engine and a C++ project with a server target. Blueprint-only projects cannot produce a dedicated server in the standard binary engine.
- A Linux server package, cooked and staged, with a start script that takes the map and port.
- Matching client and server versions. Replication across mismatched builds fails.
- A UDP port declared in the manifest, usually 7777, plus a health reply and a join probe.

Unreal servers tend to be heavier than a small Unity or Godot server. Our example manifest uses the large profile (4 vCPU, 8 GiB), which spends two plan hours per hour, so measure before you choose.

## Steps


1. **Build the engine from source and add a server target.** Follow Epic's dedicated server setup: use a source build of Unreal Engine, a C++ project and a `<PROJECT_NAME>Server.Target.cs` file in the project Source folder.
2. **Package a Linux server.** Cook and stage the server for the Linux platform with the server-only option, then archive the output. Test the staged server with a separate client before moving on.
3. **Start with a fixed map and port.** Use a start script such as `./YourGameServer.sh /Game/Maps/Lobby -port=7777 -log`, and make sure the server is not bound to localhost.
4. **Add health and join probes.** Reply to a UDP health request and a join request with known answers on the declared port, so a join can be proven.
5. **Choose the profile.** Declare the standard profile if it runs well in 2 vCPU and 4 GiB, or the large profile if you measured a need. Large counts double against your hours.
6. **Pack, submit and test.** Pack the staged folder as a `.tar.gz` without links or secrets, submit after launch, and join from a client built from the same version.


## Honest gaps

- **Not certified.** A packaged Linux server with remote replication clients, persistence and restart still needs real testing.
- **We do not build your project.** You package it; we host the result.
- **Map travel and large replicated worlds** are the owner's to verify.
- **Client platforms** you declare are intent only; they are not tested by us.
- **No anti-cheat**, no host migration, no Windows server builds.

## Frequently asked questions


### Can I host an Unreal dedicated server from a Blueprint-only project?

Not with the standard launcher engine. Epic's dedicated server documentation requires a source build of Unreal Engine and a C++ project with a server target file. Once you have a packaged Linux server, NetCraftGames can host it, but producing that package is your step and is not something we do for you.

### Which port does an Unreal dedicated server use?

By default, Epic's documentation says a dedicated server listens on port 7777. The transport is UDP. You can change the port with a launch argument such as -port, but whatever the server actually listens on must be the port you declare to NetCraftGames, and it must not be bound only to localhost.

## Sources

- [Epic Games: Setting up dedicated servers in Unreal Engine](https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/unreal-engine/setting-up-dedicated-servers-in-unreal-engine), accessed 2026-10-03

## Related pages

- [Unreal Engine Linux dedicated server checklist](https://netcraftgames.com/guides/unreal-linux-dedicated-server-checklist/): A checklist for packaging an Unreal Engine dedicated server for Linux: source build, server target, cook and stage, port 7777, start script, versions.
- [What a connection config file must contain](https://netcraftgames.com/guides/connection-config-file-contents/): What a deployment manifest and a player connection config must contain for a hosted multiplayer server, with a real example and the rules that cause rejections.
- [Pricing built on honest server hours](https://netcraftgames.com/pricing/): NetCraftGames plans are $49, $79 and $99 a month for weighted server hours, with a $19 boost. What an hour buys, what expires and what is not included.