Alpha Game Server Manager

Dedicated server guide

Empires Mod

Manage emserver with AlphaGSM. Choose a runtime supported by the recorded module capabilities.

Recorded lifecycle pass · Support evidence: 2026-10-16.

Build setup commands
Runtime familysteamcmd-linux

Declared runtimes: Docker or a Linux host process.

Network bindings

27015/UDP, 27015/TCP, clientport/UDP, sourcetvport/UDP. Named port values remain unknown; review the game guide and configuration for additional requirements.

Mods and plugins

No mod support is declared in this snapshot; review the game guide before adding mods.

Backup hook

A module-specific backup hook is declared. Review the game guide for its scope, restore procedure and shutdown requirements.

Choose a supported runtime

Linux and Docker quickstart

Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

Docker

Complete interactive setup and review game-specific configuration before starting the server. Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

  1. Start the Docker manager ./alphagsm-docker start
  2. Create the game instance ./alphagsm-docker my-emserver create emserver
  3. Complete interactive setup ./alphagsm-docker my-emserver setup
  4. Start the game server ./alphagsm-docker my-emserver start
  5. Check the instance status ./alphagsm-docker my-emserver status
./alphagsm-docker start
./alphagsm-docker my-emserver create emserver
./alphagsm-docker my-emserver setup
./alphagsm-docker my-emserver start
./alphagsm-docker my-emserver status

Host process

Complete interactive setup and review game-specific configuration before starting the server. Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

  1. Create the game instance ./alphagsm my-emserver create emserver
  2. Complete interactive setup ./alphagsm my-emserver setup
  3. Check the host prerequisites ./alphagsm my-emserver doctor
  4. Start the game server ./alphagsm my-emserver start
  5. Check the instance status ./alphagsm my-emserver status
./alphagsm my-emserver create emserver
./alphagsm my-emserver setup
./alphagsm my-emserver doctor
./alphagsm my-emserver start
./alphagsm my-emserver status

This guide covers the emserver module in AlphaGSM.

emserver is currently PASSED on the documented Ubuntu 24.04 Linux baseline. The current GitHub integration lane still exercises both process and Docker runtime selection, and the validated Linux lifecycle stays aligned across both backends while local runs remain process-backed by default unless you opt into the Docker backend.

Requirements

  • screen
  • SteamCMD runtime libraries (lib32gcc-s1, lib32stdc++6)
  • Python packages from requirements.txt

Quick Start

Create the server:

alphagsm myemserver create emserver

Run setup:

alphagsm myemserver setup

Start it:

alphagsm myemserver start

Check it:

alphagsm myemserver status

Stop it:

alphagsm myemserver stop

Setup Details

Setup configures:

  • the game port (default 27015)
  • the install directory
  • the executable name
  • SteamCMD downloads the server files
  • default configuration and backup settings

Useful Commands

alphagsm myemserver update
alphagsm myemserver backup

Notes

  • Module name: emserver
  • Default port: 27015
  • Validated support: PASSED 2026-05-23 via the focused integration lifecycle, including Source hibernation-safe info --json, A2S query/info, and clean shutdown on the anonymous SteamCMD install path.

Server variables

After create emserver, inspect or change these with set:

alphagsm myserver set --list
alphagsm myserver set KEY --describe
alphagsm myserver set KEY VALUE
Key Aliases Type What it does
map gamemap, startmap, level, worldname string The currently selected map or level. Example: con_district402.
maxplayers users integer Maximum number of player slots. Example: 62.
port gameport integer The primary game port. Example: 27015.
rconpassword rconpass, querypassword, query_administrator_password string Remote console password for administrative access. Stored as a secret.
servername hostname, name string The server's public name shown to players. Example: AlphaGSM Empires Mod.
serverpassword sv_password, password string Password required for players to join the server. Stored as a secret.

Developer Notes

Run File

  • Executable: srcds_run
  • Location: <install_dir>/srcds_run
  • Engine: Source
  • SteamCMD App ID: 460040

Server Configuration

  • Config file: empires/cfg/server.cfg
  • Key settings:
    • hostname — Server name
    • sv_maxrate — Max network rate
    • rcon_password — Remote console password
  • Default port: 27015
  • Default map: con_district402
  • Max players: 62
  • Ports:
    • Game port: 27015 (UDP)
    • Client port: 27005 (UDP)
    • SourceTV port: 27020 (UDP)
  • Template: See server-templates/emserver/

Maps and Mods

  • Map directory: empires/maps/
  • Mod directory: empires/addons/
  • Workshop support: No
  • Mod notes: AlphaGSM now supports manifest, direct archive url, gamebanana, and moddb addon sources for this server through the shared Source addon flow. The built-in manifest currently includes metamod and sourcemod. mod cleanup removes only AlphaGSM-tracked addon files and keeps cache/state under .alphagsm/mods/empires/.
  • Map install: Copy .bsp files into empires/maps/ and add to empires/cfg/mapcycle.txt.
  • Mod install: Copy addon folders into empires/addons/.

Configuration templates

Reference files from this source revision. Review paths, passwords and game-specific settings before use.

Share your server

Sector Alpha server directory

When your server is ready, you can publish its connection details and community information on Sector Alpha. Review your listing and keep the information current.

Find a community

Browse the directory for game servers and their published connection details.

Browse server directory

Publish your server

Prepare a name, address and description for your listing.

Publish a server

Manual server sharing instructions

Frequently asked questions

What support evidence is recorded for Empires Mod?

Recorded lifecycle pass. Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

Which runtimes can run Empires Mod?

Declared runtimes: Docker or a Linux host process.

Which ports does Empires Mod use?

27015/UDP, 27015/TCP, clientport/UDP, sourcetvport/UDP. Named port values remain unknown; review the game guide and configuration for additional requirements.

Can I add mods to Empires Mod?

No mod support is declared in this snapshot; review the game guide before adding mods.

How should I back up Empires Mod?

A module-specific backup hook is declared. Review the game guide for its scope, restore procedure and shutdown requirements.

Source and support evidence

This guide mirrors AlphaGSM’s upstream documentation at 32cef5ba9e03053c8e461fffa0ba133b160b528d. Commands and prerequisites can change. Check current support notes before installation.

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