Discord’s Game Servers feature lets you transform your Server Boosts into dedicated game servers for popular titles, creating seamless multiplayer gaming experiences for your community.

What is the Game Servers Feature?

Discord's Game Servers feature lets you create dedicated game servers for popular titles — either by unlocking one for your whole community using Server Boosts, or by subscribing to your own directly in the Shop — creating seamless multiplayer gaming experiences for your community.

How to Create a Game Server

There are two ways to create a Game Server: unlock one for your whole community using Server Boosts, or subscribe to unlock your own directly in the Shop. Pick whichever fits how you want to play.

How to Use Server Boosts to Enable Game Servers as a Server Owner/Admin

The server owner or admin can use any available applied Server Boosts to unlock Game Servers.

1. With the correct server selected, navigate to the Server Boosts tab in the upper-left corner. Only server admins and owners can view this tab.
 

Example of Server Boosts tab in a server

2. In the upper-right, you’ll see how many Server Boosts are available and recent activity of Server Boosts. If you have enough Server Boosts available, you can enable this perk right away.

Example of Available Server Boosts

3. To apply Boosts to Game Servers, hover over the perk and press Create Game Server. A window will appear where you can configure your game server!

Create Game Server option

4. From here, you can select which game you want for your server. You can also see the minimum Server Boost cost for each game.

5. After selecting your game of choice, you can choose the following customizations for your game server setup: 

• Game server name: Pick a name that will help members identify this game server. If you plan to make multiple game servers for the same game, this will help distinguish them from each other.
• Location: Pick a location to host your game server. Tip: locations closer to your players will have lower latency during gameplay.
• Plan: Select the plan that works best for your desired gaming needs. Game Server plans are available in three tiers across all supported games:
  • Starter: Entry-level option, best for small groups or lightweight setups
  • Pro: Mid-tier plan with more resources for mods or larger player counts
  • Ultimate: Highest-tier plan with the most power and flexibility

6. Select Enable Game Server to confirm your setup and create the game server.

Game server setup settings

7. You’ll then see a confirmation message letting you know your game server has been set up!

Confirmation that your game server has been created

How to Purchase a Game Server Directly

Any Discord user can subscribe to unlock their own Game Server with a payment method on file, without needing a server's Boosts.

Since you've subscribed to the Game Server, you're fully in control of the game server management — including whether and with whom you share it. Keep it private for solo play, share it with a few friends, or post the link somewhere bigger; it's entirely your call.

This is a good option if you want to game with friends outside of an existing Discord server, or if your server hasn't unlocked Game Servers through Boosting.

1. Open the Shop, then select the Game Servers tab.

2. Under "Start your own game server," choose the game you want to host.

3. In the Game server setup window, enter a name for your server, choose a location, and select a plan.

If you have an active Nitro subscription, you'll see a discounted Nitro price for eligible plans in addition to the standard price.

4. Press Continue, then choose your payment method and confirm your subscription purchase on the Checkout screen.

5. Once you've completed checkout and your payment is processed, your Game Server subscription is ready to go! You can manage your subscription anytime from the Game Servers tab in the Shop, or from User Settings > Subscriptions > Game Servers, and your Game Server subscription will renew on a monthly basis until you cancel.

6. Once your Game Server is set up, you can share it with anyone — in a channel, a DM, or a group DM — using a shareable link. Selecting the link shows the server's info so others can join, without needing to be in a shared Discord server with you.

How to Manage Your Game Server Subscription

Applies only to Game Servers you pay for directly — Boost-unlocked servers are still managed through How to Modify a Game Server as a Server Owner/Admin above.

1. Open User Settings and go to the Subscriptions section.

2. Find the Game Server subscription you want to manage.

Upgrading your plan:

• If you upgrade to a higher plan, you're charged a prorated amount immediately, and your Game Server is upgraded right away.

Downgrading your plan:

• If you downgrade, your Game Server stays on its current plan until your next renewal. At renewal, you're charged the lower price and your Game Server is downgraded at that time.

Canceling your subscription:

• Canceling doesn't stop your Game Server right away. You'll keep access until the end of your current billing period, after which your server is spun down and we won't charge you for any subsequent billing periods after you have cancelled.

What to Know Before Joining Game Servers

Game servers accessed through Discord are hosted by third-party providers and aren’t moderated by Discord. Without Discord's standard safety features, you should take extra precautions to protect yourself in these external spaces.

Before You Join: Avoid joining servers hosted by people you don’t know and trust in real life or from well-known groups you trust. Be selective—these servers may have different safety features from those you’re used to on Discord, so your choice of which servers to join becomes your primary safety measure.

Protect Your Privacy: Refrain from sharing personal information like your real name, location, age, school, or contact details on game servers. Be especially cautious of anyone who tries to move conversations to other platforms, offers unexpected gifts or special treatment, or asks you to keep interactions secret. These are red flags for potentially harmful behavior that can escalate quickly in unmoderated spaces.

Use Available Safety Tools: Consider enabling any safety features the server offers like chat filters, allowlist controls, and moderation plugins. When creating your own server, use allowlist controls to limit access to known friends, enable moderation tools, and establish clear behavioral expectations from the start. Remember that these tools may differ from what you're used to with Discord's built-in protections.

Trust Your Instincts: If someone makes you uncomfortable, leave immediately. Your safety is more important than game progress, maintaining friendships, or avoiding awkwardness. It's never your fault if someone acts inappropriately toward you. Report concerning behavior happening in the game server to the server admin if you trust them, or use the game host's reporting system (like Shockbyte's support form). If you see behavior that violates our Terms of Service or Community Guidelines happening on Discord, please report it directly to us.

Stay Alert: These servers exist outside Discord's safety ecosystem, meaning the automatic detection systems and rapid response teams you might expect aren't available. Maintain strong boundaries, be skeptical of unusual requests, and prioritize your wellbeing over gameplay.

How to Join a Game Server

Once created, game servers will appear in the new Game Servers tab at the top of your server. This tab becomes visible to all members after the first game server is set up. You can also join directly using a shared link, without needing to be in the associated Discord server.

1. Navigate to the server you want to join the game server for and press on Game Servers.

Game Servers tab

2. Select Join Game Server for the game server you’re wanting to join. 

Join Game Server button 

3. Follow the steps listed in the instructions pop-up to join the Game Server!

Instructional steps on how to join a Game Server

How to Connect to Game Servers by Game

Once you've joined a Game Server, follow the steps for your specific game below to connect and start playing.

Palworld

1. Launch Palworld.
2. Choose Join Multiplayer Game.
3. Enter the IP:Port of the server.
4. Select Connect.

Rust

1. Press F1 to open the in-game console.
2. Type client.connect <IP:Port> and press Enter.

Enshrouded

1. In Steam: go to View → Game Servers → Favorites.
2. Select the + Add a Server button and enter the IP:Query Port.
3. The server will appear in Steam → Favorites and will show up in-game.

7 Days to Die

1. Launch the game and select Join a Game from the main menu.
2. Press Connect to IP.
3. Enter the IP before the colon, and the port after.

Terraria

1. Launch Terraria, select the Multiplayer option, then select the Join via IP option.
2. From the character selection screen, either select a character you have previously made or make a new character.
3. Enter your Server's IP address (this is the part before the colon) and your Server's Port (this is the part after the colon). (Example: 000.00.00.000:0000)
4. Press Accept (or the Enter Key) to connect to your server.

Valheim

1. Launch Valheim and select Start Game in the main menu.
2. Select the character you want to join your server on. If you haven't made one yet, you'll need to do this before continuing.
3. After selecting or creating your character, press Start.
4. Change to the Join Game tab, and then press the Add Server button.
5. Paste your server IP into the box that pops up, and press the Connect button.
6. After a brief moment, you will be prompted for your server password. You will need to get this password from your Discord Server Admin. Paste your server password into the box, then press Enter.

Counter Strike 2

1. In the Steam client, navigate to View > Game Servers.
2. Select Favorites, then press the + button.
3. Enter your server's IP & port then press OK.
4. Select your server, then press Connect.

Hytale

1. Open Hytale.
2. Select on Servers.
3. Press on Add Server.
4. Paste your server IP address, enter a server name and press Add Server.
5. Double click your server in the list to join.

Stardew Valley

1. Open Stardew Valley.
2. Select the CO-OP button.
3. Select Join LAN Game.
4. Enter your Server IP and Port then click OK.

Minecraft

For Java:

1. Launch Minecraft, then select Multiplayer.
2. Select Add Server, give the server a name, enter the server's IP address, and press Done.
3. Back in the server list, find the new entry, then double-click it to connect.

For Bedrock:

1. Launch Minecraft, then select Play.
2. Select Servers, then Add Server.
3. Enter a server name and the server's IP address, then press Add and Play.

Satisfactory

1. Launch Satisfactory and select the Server Manager button from the main menu.
2. Press Add Server.
3. Enter your server IP into the Address box, and port into the Port box, then press Confirm.
4. Select the newly added server from the list and press Join Game.

Necesse

1. Launch Necesse.
2. Select Multiplayer.
3. Select Direct Join.
4. Enter your server's IP address and port separately, then press Connect.

V Rising

1. Press Play.
2. Press Online Play.
3. Press Show All Servers.
4. Press Direct Connect.
5. Enter your IP and port, then press Connect.

Factorio

1. Launch Factorio.
2. Navigate to Multiplayer.
3. Select Connect to address.
4. Enter the server's IP and press Connect.

Vintage Story

1. Launch Vintage Story.
2. Select Multiplayer.
3. Select Add New Server.
4. Enter your server details. The server name in this section is just for your own reference and doesn't need to match your actual server name.
5. Select your server to connect.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds

1. Launch RuneScape: Dragonwilds.
2. Press Play.
3. Go to the Public tab and search for the server by name.
4. Press Enter World.
5. Enter the password if prompted. You can get this from your Discord Server Admin.

How to Modify a Game Server as a Server Owner/Admin

Once you're an admin in the server, you can open the Game Servers tab to view your server and manage its settings.

1. Navigate to the server that has the game server you want to modify and press on Game Servers.

Game Servers tab

2. Select View Game Panel to open the Game Server’s options. The Game Panel is your control center for advanced game server management. This includes adjusting game configurations and customizing various server settings beyond what's available on Discord.

3. You'll be redirected to a web browser where you'll need to log into Discord and authorize Shockbyte to sign into their app. Each game server has its own independent Game Panel with settings specific to that game server. You can learn more about navigating the Game Panel from Shockbyte’s website.

Important: For any questions about Game Panel features, settings, or technical issues within the panel itself, please use the Contact Us button within the Game Panel to reach Shockbyte's specialized support team

Game Server panel

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is divided into sections:

• Creating and Managing your Game Server
• Billing and Subscriptions
• Sharing and Gifting
• Troubleshooting and Support

Creating and Managing your Game Server

Q: How many Game Servers can be created in one Discord server?

A: You can have a maximum of 10 Game Servers per Discord server.

Q: Do I need extra Boosts to unlock Game Servers for my server?

A: Game Servers are a separate feature from your server's Boost level. Boosts used to level up your server do not count toward unlocking Game Servers. To enable Game Servers, you'll need to apply Boosts specifically toward creating a game server. Once a game server is created, the Game Servers tab will appear in your server.

Q: How many Boosts does it cost to create a Game Server?

A: The number of Boosts required depends on the game and plan you choose. The least expensive option starts at 3 Boosts, with certain games and higher-tier plans requiring more. All Boosts allocated go directly toward that game server, there's no extra Boost cost just to unlock the feature.

Q: What happens to my game server if I no longer have the Server Boosts to maintain it?

A: If you do not apply the necessary Server Boosts to maintain the server, the Game Server will be deleted after 3 days.

Q: How can I disable my game server?

A: As a server admin or owner, head to the Server Boosts tab > View Game Servers and then press Disable Perk under the specific game server you want to disable.

Billing and Subscriptions

Q: What's the difference between using Server Boosts and paying directly for a Game Server?

A: With Server Boosts, a server owner or admin unlocks a Game Server for their whole community using Boosts already applied to the server. Signing up through the Shop lets any Discord user subscribe to create a Game Server with their own payment method and share it with whoever they choose, without needing a server's Boosts.

Q: Do I need Nitro to pay for a Game Server directly?

A: No. Anyone can pay the standard price for a Game Server. If you have an active Nitro subscription, you'll see a discounted Nitro price on eligible plans.

Q: Can I get a refund for my Game Server subscription?

A: No, Game Server payments are final and non-refundable.

If you encounter any technical issues with a Game Server subscription you've purchased, contact us at dis.gd/support.

Q: What happens when I upgrade my Game Server plan?

A: You're charged a prorated amount right away, and your Game Server is upgraded immediately.

Q: What happens when I downgrade my Game Server plan?

A: Nothing changes right away. At your next renewal, you're charged the lower price and your Game Server is downgraded at that time.

Q: How many Game Servers can I subscribe to directly?

A: Each Discord user can have up to 5 active Game Server subscriptions at a time.

Sharing and Gifting

Q: Can I gift a Game Server subscription to someone else?

A: No, Game Server subscriptions can't be gifted.

Q: Can I share a Game Server I subscribed to with people outside of a Discord server?

A: Yes. You can share your Game Server using a shareable link in a channel, DM, or group DM, and others can view its info and join without needing to share a Discord server with you.

Troubleshooting and Support

Q: What does the current game server's status mean?

Server Status of a Game Server 

A: Depending on the state of the server, you may see a variety of different Server Statuses. Here are all of the available Server Statuses: 

• Online: Server is online and available to join.
• Offline: Admin manually stopped the server.
• Sleeping: Server is in hibernation (≥7 days of no activity).
• Starting: Server is in the process of coming online or restarting. This can take a few minutes.
• Startup Failed: Configuration is required. An admin of the server must visit the Game Panel to change the configuration.
• Missing Stock: Server location is out of capacity. An admin of the server must select a new location in the Game Panel to resolve.
• Unavailable: Other error. An admin of the server can visit the Game Panel for more information.
• Unknown Error: An admin of the server will need to reach out to Shockbyte support to resolve this issue.
• Deleted: Server is in the process of being deleted. Once deleted, it will disappear from view.

Q: Why can't I create a Game Server right now?

A: New Game Servers may not always be available to create, for example during high demand or while this feature is still an experiment.

If you see a message saying new Game Servers can't be created right now, check back later.

Q: I need help with my Game Server that I created, who can I reach out to? 
A: If you’re an admin of the server, you can reach out to Shockbyte directly through one of the following ways:

For Game Server issues:

1. Go to the Game Servers tab in your Discord server

2. Press 3 dots [] next to your game server

3. Select Get Support to be directed to the appropriate support channel

Get Support option

For Game Panel issues:

1. Navigate to Game Servers tab > View Game Panel

2. Press Get Support from the left sidebar within the panel

Get Support option