Nuclear Option dedicated server hosting
Keep your Nuclear Option missions flying around the clock. The official dedicated server rotates built-in, custom and Workshop missions, and you control it with a JSON config and remote commands.
- Official dedicated server for Windows and Linux
- Built-in, custom and Steam Workshop missions
- Ban lists, vote kick and remote commands
- Sequence, random or shuffled mission rotation
- PlayersAbove 16, the server list shows players a performance warning.
- 16 by default (MaxPlayers)
- PortsGame and query ports; override them in the config. Remote commands use TCP 7779 when enabled.
- 7777 UDP · 7778 UDP
- Server
- Dedicated server for Windows and Linux
- Config
- DedicatedServerConfig.json
- Missions
- Built-in, user and Workshop
- Status
- Early Access (0.33 in 2026)
Options
- Escalation
- Terminal Control
- Workshop missions
- Mission rotation
- Vote kick
- Remote commands
Game facts from Shockfront’s official server tools on GitHub and the Steam app data, checked in October 2026.
- DDoS protection
- 20 game server locations
Nuclear Option plans are being prepared
Tell us how many pilots you expect and which missions you want to rotate, and our team will reply with the options. Or open a ticket and we will let you know when the plans are online.
How much does a Nuclear Option server need?
The default is 16 players. Large missions and more players raise the load; Shockfront warns players when a server allows more than 16.
Find your size
| Feature |
Squadron
Up to 8 players
|
Recommended Default
Up to 16 players
|
Large
More than 16 players
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory (RAM)Working memory for the world, the players and every mod. Leave headroom: memory use grows as players explore. | 4 GB | 6 GB | 8 GB+ |
| CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Disk spaceRoom for the game files, the world and its backups, plus updates and mods. | 15 GB | 15 GB | 20 GB |
| Mission timeEach rotation entry has a MaxTime; the default is 7200 seconds, two hours. | 7200 s (default) | 7200 s (default) | Shorter for busy servers |
| Typical use | A squadron flying co-op missions | A public server with the default limit | Large PvP battles |
-
Squadron
Up to 8 players
- Memory (RAM)Working memory for the world, the players and every mod. Leave headroom: memory use grows as players explore.
- 4 GB
- CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores.
- 2
- Disk spaceRoom for the game files, the world and its backups, plus updates and mods.
- 15 GB
- Mission timeEach rotation entry has a MaxTime; the default is 7200 seconds, two hours.
- 7200 s (default)
- Typical use
- A squadron flying co-op missions
-
Recommended
Default
Up to 16 players
- Memory (RAM)Working memory for the world, the players and every mod. Leave headroom: memory use grows as players explore.
- 6 GB
- CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores.
- 3
- Disk spaceRoom for the game files, the world and its backups, plus updates and mods.
- 15 GB
- Mission timeEach rotation entry has a MaxTime; the default is 7200 seconds, two hours.
- 7200 s (default)
- Typical use
- A public server with the default limit
-
Large
More than 16 players
- Memory (RAM)Working memory for the world, the players and every mod. Leave headroom: memory use grows as players explore.
- 8 GB+
- CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores.
- 4
- Disk spaceRoom for the game files, the world and its backups, plus updates and mods.
- 20 GB
- Mission timeEach rotation entry has a MaxTime; the default is 7200 seconds, two hours.
- Shorter for busy servers
- Typical use
- Large PvP battles
Shockfront publishes no server hardware figures; these starting points are our estimate. Keep MaxPlayers at 16 unless your hardware has room to spare.
Missions, rotation and server control
Everything is set in DedicatedServerConfig.json, which the server creates at the first start.
Mission groups
Rotate built-in missions such as Escalation and Terminal Control, your own missions from MissionDirectory and missions from the Steam Workshop.
Workshop missions
Add a mission with the Workshop group and its published file ID; the server downloads and updates it on its own.
Rotation types
RotationType 0 plays missions in sequence, 1 picks at random and 2 shuffles them so every mission plays before one repeats.
Bans and vote kick
Ban lists are plain files of Steam IDs. Vote kick is on by default and needs 60% of the votes and at least three voters.
Remote commands
Start with -ServerRemoteCommands to accept JSON commands over TCP: chat messages, next mission, player list, kicks and ban list changes.
Official server tools
Shockfront’s GitHub tools add a web control panel and an auto-updater that tells the server when a new version is out.
Set up your Nuclear Option server
Four steps to your first sortie.
-
Pick a size
Decide on your player limit and pick a size from the table above; 16 is the default.
-
Pick a location
Choose the one closest to your players from our 20 game server locations.
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Plan your rotation
Set ServerName, a password if you want one, and the missions in MissionRotation, including Workshop IDs.
-
Find it in the server list
Players find the server in the in-game server browser and join with the password.
Other game servers you might like
Stormworks: Build and Rescue
Build and rescue together with up to 32 players and Workshop addons.
Learn moreFrequently asked questions
Does Nuclear Option have a dedicated server?
Yes. The Nuclear Option Dedicated Server runs on Windows and Linux and installs with an anonymous SteamCMD login. Shockfront documents it in its official server tools on GitHub.
Which ports does the server use?
UDP 7777 for the game and UDP 7778 for queries. Both can be changed in the config, where Port and QueryPort only apply when IsOverride is true.
How many players can join?
MaxPlayers is 16 by default. You can set more, but players then see a performance warning in the server list, so make sure the server has room for the extra load.
Which missions can the server run?
Missions from the game files, such as Escalation and Terminal Control, your own missions from the MissionDirectory folder and missions from the Steam Workshop. Each entry in MissionRotation has a MaxTime, 7200 seconds by default.
How do I add Workshop missions?
Add an entry with the group Workshop and the mission’s published file ID as its name. The server downloads the mission and keeps it up to date.
How do I add my own missions?
Put each mission in its own folder under MissionDirectory, with a JSON file of the same name inside, and add it to the rotation with the group User.
Can the missions play in random order?
Yes. RotationType 0 keeps the order, 1 picks a random mission each time and may repeat one, and 2 shuffles the list so every mission plays once before the order repeats.
How do I ban players?
List their Steam IDs in the ban file, ban_list.txt by default, or use the banlist-add remote command. Players can also vote to kick: by default a vote needs 60% and at least three voters.
Can I control the server remotely?
Yes. Start it with -ServerRemoteCommands and it accepts JSON commands over TCP, on port 7779 by default: send chat messages, set the next mission, list players, kick players and edit the ban list.
Is Nuclear Option still in Early Access?
Yes. In October 2026 the game is in Early Access on Steam, with regular updates in the 0.33 series. Update the server whenever the game updates so players can join.
Ready to take off?
Tell us your player count and missions, and we will help you pick the right Nuclear Option server.