How to Add Custom Maps to a SoF2 Server

To add a custom map to a Soldier of Fortune II server, put its .pk3 file in the server’s base folder (or the mod’s folder), then add the map to your rotation. Every player needs the same file. SoF2’s built-in download is slow, so link players to a download page, such as SOF2MP.com’s maps page, and favour maps people already have.

Install the map on the server

Get the .pk3 file. Download it from a trusted source, such as our maps page. Don’t rename it: players’ copies must match exactly.
Upload it to the server’s base folder. If your server runs a mod and you only want the map with that mod, the mod’s folder (for example rocmod) works too.
Find the map’s name. Open the .pk3 with any zip program and look in its maps folder. The .bsp file’s name, without .bsp, is what you type, for example mp_example.
Test it: through rcon, type /rcon map mp_example. If the server loads it, the install worked.
Add it to your rotation. See SoF2 map rotation.

Getting players the map

A player without the map gets an error when they join, or downloads it if downloads are on. There are three ways to help them:

Ways players can get a custom map
Method	Good	Not so good
In-game download	Automatic, nothing for players to do	Very slow on the original server, and players must allow downloads
A download page	Fast, and players can get everything before joining	Players have to install the file themselves
Popular maps only	Most players already have them	Less variety

In-game downloads

Players can only download from your server if they allow it with cl_allowDownload (on by default), and your server allows it with sv_allowDownload 1. The original 2002 server sends files slowly, so a large map can take minutes. The SoF2Plus engine adds faster downloads and can send only the files the current map needs. See versions and cross play.

Link to a download page

Put a link in your server’s message of the day, your website and your Discord. Every map on SOF2MP.com has its own page with a direct download, so you can link to the exact maps you run. Players can follow how to install SoF2 maps.

Run maps people already have

Players are more likely to stay when they don’t have to download anything. These are the most played maps on public servers this month:

mp_shop1,438.7h
mp_kam11,251.9h
inf775.2h
mp_italy671.7h
shop8630.9h
mp_kam2619.0h
col1597.0h
mp_hk1594.1h
mp_jor1553.2h
mp_col1502.5h

Good practice

Don’t overwrite official files. Never replace the game’s own .pk3 files in base.
Keep file names unique. Two different maps in two .pk3 files with the same .bsp name will clash.
Don’t stuff everything into one huge pack. A player who wants one map shouldn’t have to download fifty.
Remove maps you no longer run. Every .pk3 in base is loaded when the server starts.
Large maps may need more memory: add +set com_hunkMegs 128 to your start command. See Hunk_Alloc errors.

“Missing map” or “couldn’t load” on your server

Check the map name matches the .bsp inside the .pk3, not the .pk3‘s file name.
Make sure the file is in the right folder: base, or the folder of the mod the server runs.
Restart the server after adding files, so it loads the new .pk3.
Check the server’s console log for the exact error. See server logs.

Frequently asked questions

Where do custom maps go on a SoF2 server?

In the server’s base folder, or in the mod’s folder if you only want them with that mod.

How do players download maps from my SoF2 server?

Turn on sv_allowDownload 1. Players need cl_allowDownload 1, which is the default. Downloads are slow on the original server, so also link to a download page.

How do I find a map’s name inside a .pk3?

Open the .pk3 with a zip program and look in the maps folder. The name of the .bsp file, without the extension, is the map name.

Do I need to restart the server after adding a map?

Yes, so the server loads the new .pk3 file.