Black Mesa deathmatch server hosting
Bring back Half-Life deathmatch on the Source engine. Black Mesa’s free dedicated server runs its remade multiplayer maps, so your group can frag each other on Bounce, Gasworks, Stalkyard, Undertow and Crossfire.
- Free official Black Mesa Dedicated Server
- Ten multiplayer maps from the Half-Life universe
- Source server with server.cfg and RCON
- Windows and Linux server builds
- Slots
- Set with +maxplayers
- PortGame traffic and RCON on 27015 by default, changed with -port. SourceTV uses 27020 UDP.
- 27015 TCP/UDP
- Server
- Steam app 346680, free
- Config
- bms/cfg/server.cfg
- Maps
- 10 multiplayer maps
- Mods
- Steam Workshop
Maps
- Bounce
- Gasworks
- Stalkyard
- Undertow
- Crossfire
Game facts from the Black Mesa Steam store page, SteamCMD data and the Valve Developer Community, checked in October 2026.
- DDoS protection
- 20 game server locations
Black Mesa plans are being prepared
Tell us your slot count and map rotation, and our team will reply with the options. Or open a ticket and we will let you know when the plans are online.
How big should a Black Mesa server be?
A Source deathmatch server is light on memory. Slots and tick decide the CPU load; the large download decides the disk.
Find your size
| Feature |
Duel and small
Up to 8 slots
|
Recommended Deathmatch
Up to 16 slots
|
Large server
Up to 32 slots
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory (RAM)Valve’s Source server guide plans 512 MB for a basic server and recommends at least 4 GB on current operating systems. | 2 GB | 3 GB | 4 GB |
| CPU coresSource servers simulate each tick on one main thread, so fast cores matter most. | 1–2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Disk spaceThe dedicated server download is about 31 GB; keep room for Workshop maps and updates. | 40 GB | 40 GB | 45 GB |
| Typical use | Duels and small groups | Classic deathmatch nights | Busy public servers |
-
Duel and small
Up to 8 slots
- Memory (RAM)Valve’s Source server guide plans 512 MB for a basic server and recommends at least 4 GB on current operating systems.
- 2 GB
- CPU coresSource servers simulate each tick on one main thread, so fast cores matter most.
- 1–2
- Disk spaceThe dedicated server download is about 31 GB; keep room for Workshop maps and updates.
- 40 GB
- Typical use
- Duels and small groups
-
Recommended
Deathmatch
Up to 16 slots
- Memory (RAM)Valve’s Source server guide plans 512 MB for a basic server and recommends at least 4 GB on current operating systems.
- 3 GB
- CPU coresSource servers simulate each tick on one main thread, so fast cores matter most.
- 2
- Disk spaceThe dedicated server download is about 31 GB; keep room for Workshop maps and updates.
- 40 GB
- Typical use
- Classic deathmatch nights
-
Large server
Up to 32 slots
- Memory (RAM)Valve’s Source server guide plans 512 MB for a basic server and recommends at least 4 GB on current operating systems.
- 4 GB
- CPU coresSource servers simulate each tick on one main thread, so fast cores matter most.
- 2–3
- Disk spaceThe dedicated server download is about 31 GB; keep room for Workshop maps and updates.
- 45 GB
- Typical use
- Busy public servers
Based on Valve’s Source Dedicated Server guide and the 31 GB server download. Crowbar Collective publishes no separate figures for Black Mesa.
Maps, config and Workshop
Black Mesa’s server is a Source Dedicated Server: familiar tools for anyone who has run a Half-Life or Counter-Strike server.
Ten multiplayer maps
Remakes of Half-Life deathmatch maps such as Bounce, Gasworks, Stalkyard, Undertow and Crossfire.
server.cfg
Set the server name, passwords and rules in bms/cfg/server.cfg; start the server with +map and +maxplayers.
Steam Workshop
Black Mesa supports the Steam Workshop for mods, models and maps, so your group can play community maps as well.
RCON
Manage the server remotely over RCON on the game port; set an RCON password first.
Login token
If Steam refuses the connection with error 18 or 106, create or renew the token you pass with sv_setsteamaccount.
Set up your Black Mesa server
Four steps from the test chamber to a full deathmatch.
-
Pick slots
Small duels or a full deathmatch: choose the size from the table above.
-
Pick a location
Choose the one closest to your players from our 20 game server locations; ping matters in a shooter.
-
Set your rules
Edit server.cfg with the server name, passwords and rules, and choose your starting map.
-
Connect
Find the server in Black Mesa’s server browser, or open the console and type connect with the address and port.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there an official Black Mesa dedicated server?
Yes. Black Mesa Dedicated Server is a free tool on Steam (app 346680) with Windows and Linux builds. It starts as a Source Dedicated Server with -game bms.
Which ports does a Black Mesa server use?
Like every Source server: 27015 over TCP and UDP for the game and RCON, changed with -port; 27020 UDP for SourceTV and 27005 UDP as the client port.
Which maps can I play?
Black Mesa ships ten multiplayer maps from the Half-Life universe, including Bounce, Gasworks, Stalkyard, Undertow and Crossfire. Steam Workshop adds community maps.
How many players can join?
You set the slots with +maxplayers when the server starts. Valve’s guide notes that 1 GB of memory is enough for over 60 slots in total on a Source server; deathmatch maps play best with smaller groups.
Where do I put my server settings?
In bms/cfg/server.cfg: the hostname shown in the server browser, passwords and game rules. Start the server with +map and +maxplayers on the command line.
Why does Steam reject my server with error 18 or 106?
Valve’s guide says the Game Server Login Token passed with sv_setsteamaccount is invalid. Regenerate it, or create a new one, and replace it in the start parameters.
Why is the download so large?
The dedicated server includes Black Mesa’s game content: the public build is about 31 GB on Windows and Linux. Plan the disk with room for Workshop maps and updates.
How do players connect?
Through the server browser in Black Mesa, or by opening the console and typing connect followed by the address and port. Servers answer queries only once a map is loaded.
Ready for a round of deathmatch?
Tell us your slots and maps, and we will help you pick the right Black Mesa server.