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How to Change the Game Mode on a Rust Server

Contents

How to Change the Game Mode on a Rust Server

1. Prerequisites

Please log in to the Game Panel. For instructions on how to log in, please see here.

Revision History

  • 2.0:
    • Update Date: 2026/10/06
    • Update Content: Fixed a broken link. Added the difference from Modding Framework, the behavior of the Stop button, and the time required to start the server
    • Updated By: BESTNET-GSERVER
  • 1.0:
    • Creation Date: 2024/1
    • Update Content: Initial Creation
    • Created By: BESTNET-GSERVER

2. Please Create a Backup Before You Begin

Changing the game mode may affect the progress of your world. Please create a backup before you begin. Backups can be created from the Game Panel and restored with a single click. For the procedure, please see here.

3. Stop the Server

Click the “Stop” button in the upper right of the server page and wait until the server has stopped.

NotePlease use “Stop” to stop the server. It saves the world before shutting down (the console shows Saving complete → Config Saved). “Kill” force-terminates the server without saving, so the progress up to that point is lost. Use it only as a last resort, when “Stop” does not finish even after waiting several minutes.

4. Enter the Setting in ADDITIONAL ARGUMENTS on the Startup Tab

Select “Startup” from the left menu, and enter the following format in the ADDITIONAL ARGUMENTS field.

+server.gamemode "mode-name"

Enter one of the following as the mode name.

  • vanilla … Standard (default)
  • survival
  • softcore
  • hardcore
NoteThe Modding Framework field on the left (vanilla / carbon / oxide) is a different setting. It selects the base platform for running mods, and is not the game mode. Please be careful not to confuse the two.
Also, when you switch to carbon or vanilla after having selected oxide, the server has to be reinstalled. If you only select a different Modding Framework and restart, the server will no longer start, so please select the new framework and then run a reinstall (when you switch from vanilla to oxide, a restart alone is enough). Even when you reinstall, your world and buildings are kept as they are, as long as REGEN SERVER on the Startup tab is off. If it is left on, the world is deleted each time you reinstall.

5. Start the Server

Please start the server with the “Start” button.

NoteAfter you press the start button, it takes about 3 minutes when a saved world is loaded until you can join the game. During that time the panel keeps showing “Starting”, but this is not a malfunction.

Related Documents

If you have any other questions, please submit a ticket.

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