Hell Let Loose brings epic World War II battles with up to 100 players on maps based on historical battlefields. A community server gives you full control over the map rotation, rules and community. Here is how to set up and manage a Hell Let Loose server.
Getting a server
Hell Let Loose uses a closed server model: you cannot download the server files via SteamCMD yourself. Instead, you rent a server from a hosting provider approved by Team17. This ensures a minimum level of server performance and prevents underpowered machines from ruining the experience.
When renting, choose the number of slots (typically 100), the server location and the contract length. Pick a location in Western Europe for the lowest ping for European players.
Basic configuration
After renting you get access to the configuration panel or files. The most important settings:
- Server name: choose a recognizable name for your community.
- Password: optional, for private matches or clan training.
- Map rotation: set the order of maps and modes. You can choose from Offensive and Warfare across all available maps.
- Idle kick timer: how long a player can be inactive before being removed. Important on busy servers.
- Team kill penalty: configure if and when team killers are punished automatically.
RCON: remote management
RCON (Remote Console) is essential for managing a Hell Let Loose server. Through RCON you can, without being in the game:
- Kick or ban players
- Send messages to the server
- Switch the current map
- View player lists
- Assign VIP slots
CRCON (Community RCON) is a popular open-source web interface built specifically for Hell Let Loose. It offers logs, automatic messages, detailed player stats and anti-cheat features. Installation runs via Docker and is well documented.
Building a community
An empty server attracts no players. Hell Let Loose players look for full or nearly full servers. To get yours populated:
- Start with a core group (clan, Discord community) that plays daily at set times.
- Organize events: historical scenarios, tournaments or training sessions.
- Enforce clear rules consistently via RCON.
- Make sure active admins handle toxic behavior quickly.
A server with good admins and a welcoming atmosphere fills up on its own. Expect a few weeks before you have a steady player base.
Can I run a Hell Let Loose server on my own hardware?
No, Team17 does not allow you to download and run the server files yourself. You must rent a server from an approved hosting provider. This is a deliberate choice by the developer to guarantee server quality. The upside is guaranteed good hardware; the downside is that you are tied to the available hosts and their pricing.
What is CRCON and do I need it?
CRCON (Community RCON) is a free, open-source management interface built for Hell Let Loose servers. It provides a web dashboard with player statistics, automatic welcome messages, kick/ban logs and anti-cheat detection. It is not required, but virtually all serious community servers use it. You run CRCON via Docker on a separate VPS or on the same machine as your other community tools.
How much does a Hell Let Loose server cost per month?
Costs vary by hosting provider and region, but expect 30 to 80 euros per month for a 100-slot server in Europe. Some hosts offer discounts on longer contracts. The price is higher than many other games because the server must support 100 players with large maps and heavy physics calculations.
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