Quick Start

Get your first game server running in under 10 minutes.

Step 1: Sign Up

1. Visit arcadiumpanel.com
2. Click Sign Up in the top right
3. Choose your sign-up method:
   • Email & Password - Create a standard account
   • Steam - Sign in with your Steam account
   • Discord - Sign in with your Discord account

TIP

We recommend using Steam or Discord for faster setup and automatic player linking.

Step 2: Create Your Cluster

After signing in, you'll be prompted to create your first cluster.

1. Enter a cluster name (e.g., "My Gaming Community")
2. Enter a slug (URL-friendly name, e.g., "my-gaming-community")
3. Click Create Cluster

Your cluster is your workspace where all your servers, players, and settings will be organized.

Step 3: Add a Machine

Before you can create game servers, you need to connect a machine (server) where they'll run.

Get Your Server Ready

You'll need:

• A server running Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+ recommended) or Windows Server
• At least 4GB RAM (8GB+ recommended)
• 20GB free disk space (more for larger games)
• Root/Administrator access

WARNING

The agent requires elevated permissions to install games and manage processes.

Register the Machine

1. In your cluster dashboard, click Machines in the sidebar
2. Click Add Machine
3. Enter a name for your machine (e.g., "Dedicated Server #1")
4. Click Create

You'll see installation instructions with a unique token for your machine.

Install the Agent

On Linux:

curl -fsSL https://arcadiumpanel.com/install/agent.sh | bash -s -- YOUR_TOKEN_HERE

On Windows (PowerShell as Administrator):

iwr https://arcadiumpanel.com/install/agent.ps1 -useb | iex

The script will:

• Download the agent binary
• Install it as a system service
• Start the agent and connect to Arcadium

After 30 seconds, refresh your dashboard - the machine should show as Online with green status.

Step 4: Deploy Your First Server

Now for the fun part - deploying a game server!

1. Click Servers in the sidebar
2. Click Create Server
3. Fill in the details:
   • Name: Give your server a name (e.g., "ARK Island Server")
   • Machine: Select the machine you just added
   • Game: Choose from the dropdown (e.g., "ARK: Survival Evolved")
   • Ports: Default ports are pre-filled (you can change them)
4. Configure game-specific settings:
   • Max players
   • Map name
   • Server password (optional)
   • Admin password
5. Click Create & Install

Installation Progress

The agent will now:

1. Download SteamCMD (if needed)
2. Download the game server files
3. Apply your configuration
4. Start the server

This takes 5-15 minutes depending on the game size and your internet speed. You can watch the progress in real-time.

Step 5: Manage Your Server

Once the server is online, you can:

Start/Stop/Restart

Use the action buttons at the top of the server page.

View Players

See who's currently connected, their playtime, and connection history.

Use RCON Console

Execute commands directly to the game server:

ListPlayers
Broadcast Hello everyone!
SaveWorld

Monitor Performance

View real-time CPU, RAM, and player count graphs.

Schedule Tasks

Set up automated restarts, backups, and announcements.

What's Next?

Now that your server is running, explore these features:

• Player Management - Ban, whitelist, and track players from the dashboard
• Task Automation - Schedule restarts and backups using the Tasks page
• RCON Console - Execute commands directly to your game servers
• Discord Integration - Connect your Discord server for notifications
• Shop System - Monetize your community with the built-in shop

Need Help?

If something isn't working:

1. Check the machine logs in the Machines page
2. Check the server logs in the server's Logs tab
3. Visit our Discord community for help
4. Contact support at support@arcadiumpanel.com