Gameserver

A game server (also sometimes referred to as a host) allows you to create your own instance or "domain" that you directly control in a multiplayer video game. The server allows connections from players ( clients ). They also receive and process each player's input.

Types

Dedicated server

Dedicated servers simulate game worlds without supporting direct input or output, except that required for their administration. Players must connect to the server with separate client programs in order to see and interact with the game. You can rent a dedicated game server with citadel servers that will achieve this, so you do not need to host it yourself, instead you rent the server and connect to it like any other player but have full control to configure, mod and moderate/admin your server

Listen server

Listen servers run in the same process as a game client. They otherwise function like dedicated servers, but typically have many disadvantages of having to communicate with remote players over the residential internet connection of the hosting player. Residential connections rarely support the upload or download networking requirements of games with many players and have no protection against DDoS attacks. Listen servers will also go down if the person hosting the listen server closes the game. A dedicated game server will be up 24/7 if hosted with a game server provider such as citadel servers.