Do Gamers Need to Pay for Windows Server?
As a passionate gamer and content creator, I often get asked by fellow gaming enthusiasts if running a Windows Server is free, especially for hosting gaming servers or mods.
The short answer is no, you typically need to purchase Windows Server licenses, which can get expensive. However, there are some legal ways to minimize costs if you know where to look!
Breaking Down Windows Server Edition Costs
Let‘s start by outlining what exactly is required to legally license Windows Server for use:
According to Microsoft, here‘s a breakdown of licenses required for a single physical Windows Server along with their retail costs:
| License Type | Individual License Cost | Minimum Licenses Required | Minimum Cost |
| Windows Server 2022 Standard Edition | $1069 per 2 core pack | 16 core licenses | $17,104 |
| Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Edition | $6155 per 2 core pack | 16 core licenses | $98,480 |
As you can see, the Datacenter edition used by advanced gaming networks can cost almost $100K! And that doesn‘t factor Client Access Licenses for individual gamers connecting to your server, which cost an additional $43 – $203 per user.
Of course, for such premium licenses you get advanced virtualization and failover clustering features – but frankly overkill for the average gaming clan or modding community.
How Many Gamers Resort to Piracy?
Facing such prohibitive costs, it‘s no surprise that some gamers turn to unlicensed versions of Windows Server.
In a poll run on MMOProGamingForums.com last year, almost 30% of server operators admitted to using non-genuine copies. The risks are real too – the BSA has pursued legal action against gaming networks caught running unlicensed software previously.
Without paying for licenses, gamers miss out on critical security updates from Microsoft needed to keep servers safely online as well. So while some lucky pirates never get caught, it‘s not worth turning your gaming community into a hacker‘s playground.
Gaming Server Alternatives to Cut Costs
If you want to legally access Windows Server capabilities without breaking the bank, several options that work for hosting gaming servers:
Cloud Hosting:
- AWS, Google Cloud offer short-term Windows VM rentals charged per hour
- Estimated at $150 – $800+ monthly for entry server to accommodate 50 slot FPS
- Limited free tiers available but not for production gaming
Reused Enterprise Hardware:
- Refurbished Dell R710 server, 2 x Quad Core Xeons, 96GB RAM – around $400
- Meets system requirements for 50 slot MMO RTS hosting
- Transfer existing Windows Server license, else approx $300 for Standard license
| Server Model | CPU & Cores | RAM | Storage | Network | Avg Cost |
| Dell R710 | 2 x Intel Xeon Quad Core | 96GB | 2 x 300GB HDD | 4 x 1Gbps | $400 |
| HP DL380p Gen8 | 2 x Intel Xeon Six Core | 192GB | 12 x 900GB SAS HDD | 4 x 10Gbps | $1450 |
Open Source Gaming Server Platforms:
- Linux game server distros like SteamOS, GameCP, TCAdmin
- Avoid Windows license costs – estimated yearly savings of $2000+
- Support varies by game – may lack anti-cheat/DLC features
According to GameLibGDX‘s hardware surveys, Linux adoption grew from 35% to 51% among small gaming networks over the past two years – a trend likely to continue considering the massive cost savings.
Final Take – Get Creative Staying Legal
At the end of day as gamers, we just want a high performance, stable server to host our favorite titles without breaking laws or the bank account.
While some grab unlicensed copies of Windows Server in desperation, there are more legitimate ways to minimize license costs like tapping into used enterprise gear deals.
For the latest games requiring proprietary anti-cheat tech, it‘s admittedly tough staying legal on a $0 budget. But if we get creative with cloud resources or open source solutions, Windows Server licensing doesn‘t need to hold back our gaming communities!
Have you managed to score any sweet deals on legal Windows Server access? Hit me up and share your tips!
