How to Set Up a Left 4 Dead 2 Server

Overview

Left 4 Dead 2 is a co-op zombie shooter supporting dedicated servers for versus, campaign, and custom game modes.

Requirements

• A Breeze with at least 2 GB RAM
• 15 GB disk space

Step 1: Install

sudo useradd -r -m -d /opt/l4d2 l4d2server
sudo -u l4d2server steamcmd +force_install_dir /opt/l4d2/server \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 222860 validate \
  +quit

Step 2: Create a Start Script

sudo -u l4d2server tee /opt/l4d2/start.sh <<'EOF'
#!/bin/bash
cd /opt/l4d2/server
./srcds_run -game left4dead2 \
  +map c1m1_hotel \
  +maxplayers 8 \
  +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_GSLT \
  -port 27015
EOF
chmod +x /opt/l4d2/start.sh

Step 3: Configure

sudo -u l4d2server tee /opt/l4d2/server/left4dead2/cfg/server.cfg <<EOF
hostname "My L4D2 Server"
sv_password ""
rcon_password "adminpass"
mp_gamemode "coop"
sv_steamgroup_exclusive 0
EOF

Step 4: Systemd Service

sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/l4d2.service <<EOF
[Unit]
Description=Left 4 Dead 2 Server
After=network.target

[Service]
User=l4d2server
WorkingDirectory=/opt/l4d2
ExecStart=/opt/l4d2/start.sh
Restart=on-failure

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
EOF

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now l4d2

Firewall

sudo ufw allow 27015/tcp
sudo ufw allow 27015/udp

Game Modes

• coop — Campaign co-op (default)
• versus — PvP survivors vs infected
• survival — Timed survival mode
• scavenge — Team-based fuel collection