0 A.D.

Self-Hosted

Open-source historical real-time strategy game

Overview

0 A.D. is a free, open-source historical real-time strategy (RTS) game set in ancient civilizations spanning 500 BCE to 500 CE. Players build empires, manage resources, train armies, and engage in tactical battles across historically accurate maps. It supports multiplayer with self-hostable dedicated servers, allowing custom games and modded content. Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, it emphasizes historical authenticity and community-driven development.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  0_a_d:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: 0-a-d
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Historical accuracy with ancient civilizations (Greeks, Romans, Persians)
Self-hostable dedicated multiplayer servers
Mod support for custom maps and gameplay
Cross-platform compatibility (Windows/macOS/Linux)

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is 0 A.D. hard to install?

No—official installers are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making setup straightforward. Advanced users can also compile the game from source code hosted on GitHub.

? Can I host my own multiplayer servers for 0 A.D.?

Yes—0 A.D. includes tools to host dedicated multiplayer servers. Documentation for setup is available on the official website, allowing you to run custom games with friends or the community.

? Is 0 A.D. completely free?

Yes—0 A.D. is 100% free to download, play, and modify. It is released under the GPLv2 open-source license, with no hidden costs or microtransactions.

Top Alternatives

Age of Empires II Compare

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Age of Mythology Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Games

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ 100% free with no microtransactions
⊕ Open-source (customizable via source code or mods)
⊕ Self-hostable multiplayer for private/community games
⊕ Historically inspired gameplay and maps

Cons

⊖ No full single-player campaign (only skirmish and multiplayer modes)
⊖ Technical setup needed for hosting dedicated servers
⊖ Active development (some features are work-in-progress)