BAR uses SPADS for dedicated server hosting. The setup process confuses new players who want to run private matches or LAN games. Here is a walkthrough of what works and what trips people up.
Tags: SPADS server, localhost game, BAR hosting, LAN match, private server
SPADS is Beyond All Reason's multiplayer server platform. It handles matchmaking, lobby creation, and game coordination. When you want to host your own server instead of joining public lobbies, SPADS is what you need.
The official SPADS wiki on GitHub contains the full setup guide. Follow it step by step. Most people reach the end of the guide and cannot figure out how to actually connect to their own server.
After SPADS is installed and configured, start the server process. Then launch BAR normally and connect to localhost. The server runs as a separate process. You join it the same way you join any remote server.
Players report confusion at the step where they assume the server is running but it may not be. Check the SPADS console for active status. If the process is running but you cannot connect, verify the port is not blocked by Windows Firewall.
Some players report that LAN hosting broke after a recent update. If you cannot host a LAN game, the issue may be local. BAR development prioritizes online matchmaking over LAN because of privacy policy requirements.
LAN is treated as a third-party solution rather than a first-party feature. The team maintains it but does not prioritize bug reports from LAN setups. If LAN hosting breaks, open an issue on the repository.
BAR avoids commercial hosting platforms like Steam for a reason. Using third-party services creates legal headaches around data privacy and regulations. Running your own SPADS server keeps everything contained within the game's own infrastructure.
Setting up a private server gives your whole team a clean environment to practice. Creed of Champions organizes team sessions on dedicated servers where everyone focuses on improving together. Serious play without the random lobby chaos.
[Crd] The removal of toxicity, the goal of fun and learning, makes for a refreshing spot to play and spend time. It has also made a game with plenty of complexity a bit less daunting to dive into.