5.1. Joining and Hosting Servers
Garry's Mod thrives on its multiplayer experience, allowing players to connect with others from around the globe. the essentials of finding, joining, and hosting your own game servers, opening up a world of collaborative play and community-driven fun.
Multiplayer in Garry's Mod can range from casual hangouts on community servers to organized events and custom gamemodes. Whether you want to join a server already filled with players or set up your own space for friends, understanding the server browser and hosting options is key.
Joining a Server:
- From the Garry's Mod main menu, select 'Find Multiplayer Game'.
- This will open the server browser, displaying a list of available servers.
- You can filter servers by gamemode, map, player count, ping, and more.
- Key Filters to Consider:
- Gamemode: Choose servers running the gamemode you're interested in (e.g., Trouble in Terrorist Town, Prop Hunt, DarkRP).
- Ping: A lower ping indicates a more responsive connection. Aim for servers with a ping below 100ms if possible.
- Player Count: Select servers that are neither too empty nor completely full to ensure a good experience.
- Double-click on a server to join. If the server uses custom content (addons) not present on your system, the game will prompt you to download them. This can take time depending on the size and number of addons.
Hosting a Server:
Hosting a server allows you to control the game environment, rules, and who can join. Garry's Mod offers two main ways to host:
- Listen Server (Host Game): This is the simplest method, ideal for playing with a few friends. Select 'Host New Game' from the main menu, choose your gamemode and map, and configure basic settings. Your computer acts as both the game client and the server. This is generally less stable and performant than a dedicated server.
- Dedicated Server: For a more robust and scalable experience, you can set up a dedicated server. This requires downloading the Garry's Mod dedicated server files from Steam and configuring server files. Dedicated servers are ideal for larger communities or if you want to host a server that runs independently of your gaming session.
When hosting, you can set passwords, adjust game rules, and manage connected players. Remember that hosting a server, especially a dedicated one, requires adequate internet bandwidth and system resources.