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Half-Life

Half-Life Deathmatch Server as Docker image

Probably the fastest and easiest way to set up an old-school Half-Life Deathmatch Dedicated Server (HLDS). You don't need to know anything about Linux or HLDS to start a server. You just need Docker and this image.

Quick Start

Start a new server by running:

docker run -it --rm -d -p27015:27015 -p27015:27015/udp spezifanta/hldm

Change the player slot size, map or rcon_password by running:

docker run -it --rm -d --name hldm -p27015:27015 -p27015:27015/udp spezifanta/hldm +map crossfire +maxplayers 12 +rcon_password SECRET_PASSWORD

Note: Any server config command can be passed by using +. But it has to follow after the image name spezifanta/hldm.

The following default maps are available:

  • boot_camp
  • bounce
  • crossfire
  • datacore
  • frenzy
  • gasworks
  • lambda_bunker
  • rapidcore
  • snark_pit
  • stalkyard
  • subtransit
  • undertow

Advanced

In order to use a custom content like maps or server config file, create a directory named gamedir and place your files there. For an example of a custom server.cfg run:

mkdir gamedir && echo 'echo "Executing custom server.cfg"' > gamedir/server.cfg

Add your settings to the server.cfg and mount the directory as volume by running:

docker run -it --rm -d -p27015:27015 -p27015:27015/udp -v gamedir:/gamedir spezifanta/hldm

You should see Executing custom server.cfg in the server log when starting the server.

About this Docker image

This image uses the latest version of Half-life, which can be installed via SteamCMD and patched versions of:

Patches: https://github.com/spezifanta/metamod-p

But why?

Speed

Setting up a new HLDS from scratch can be a bit tedious because since a few years now SteamCMD will fail to download all the files on the first try. The general workaround is just by retrying. And retrying, and retrying, and... 🔫. A more promising workaround is replacing certain files and forcing a redownload. But even this can fail sometimes. Anyway, just searching for the download link of SteamCMD takes longer than just copying & pasting the Docker run command from above (yes, this assumes you have Docker installed. But why haven't you already?).

Also, there are a couple of server commands, which need tweaking, and plugins, that need to be installed and configured.

So this image saves a lot of time.

Sustainability

Half-Life is more than 20 years old now. Many major community pages and tutorials are offline. I am not saying, that Half-Life will die, but the sites with the step by step instructions, workarounds and plugins might not be around for ever. Furthermore not everybody, who likes playing Half-Life and wants to set up a server, is a Linux geek. You don't need to know anything about Linux or HLDS to start a server by using this image. That's why I build this image.

I want HLDM to live forever!

Other reasons

  • In most cases, you have to wrap hlds_run anyway by using something like screen, tmux, wmux or systemd, because the server will exit as soon as you close your terminal. So why not add Docker to that list.
  • Decoupling. To set up a HLDS you need to install 32bit libraries. On a 64bit system, this is somewhat less than perfect. On a company PC, you might need extra permissions to do so. With Docker on the other hand... I hope you get my point ;).
  • Scalability.

License

MIT

Test Server

Connect to steamcalculator.com:27015 to give it a try.

HLDM Docker