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Habbo Retro Essentials ​

A private server for Habbo Hotel (aka "retro") is your own virtual hotel where people can play, interact, and have fun. To create a retro, you need to set up several important parts.

Let's explore what these parts are and a brief overview of the steps involved in setting them up.

Server Side ​

The server side of a retro refers to the parts that power the back-end of the game.

The server side includes:

Database ​

The database is the service which stores all the data related to your retro, such as the accounts, rooms, items and more. The majority of retros use MySQL as their database server, as this is the server most supported by Emulators and CMS solutions.

Setting up the database involves:

  1. Installing the database server required by your chosen Emulator and CMS.
  2. Configuring the database server, such as setting up users and databases.
  3. Importing the tables and data required by the Emulator and CMS.

Emulator ​

The Emulator is the service which controls the game itself. It allows players to connect to the game, control their avatars, build rooms, interact with items and more. It's called an emulator because it's replicating the functionality of the Habbo Hotel game.

Setting up an Emulator involves:

  1. Picking a suitable Emulator to use, such as Arcturus Morningstar.
  2. Installing the Emulator.
  3. Configuring the Emulator by linking it to your database server, altering the settings to your preference and setting up the network settings.
  4. Customizing the Emulator by changing the texts/messages seen by players and installing plugins.

Web Server ​

The web server is the service which hosts and serves your CMS and Client files. A web server needs to be set up with security in mind to protect players information and to ensure the website is available for players to access at any time.

Setting up a web server involves:

  1. Deciding which web server to use, ensuring it's compatible with the CMS. Popular web servers include NGINX, Apache & IIS.
  2. Installing the required programming languages and software components to the web server. For most CMS solutions, this will include PHP or NodeJS.
  3. Configuring the web server to handle requests for your website. This includes setting up domain names, SSL certificates (HTTPS), and configuring settings according to the needs of your CMS and client files.
  4. Testing to ensure everything is functioning correctly. This means checking that your CMS and client are reachable through the internet and that pages/files load without errors.

Client Side ​

The client side of a retro refers to the parts that players directly interact with.

The client side includes:

CMS (Content Management System) ​

The CMS is the software installed onto the web server which players use to sign up and login to your retro, manage their account settings, launch the client and read information about your retro.

Customizing the look and feel of your CMS is a great way to get your retro to stand out!

Setting up a CMS involves:

  1. Deciding if you’ll be making your own or using a ready-made CMS like Atom or Orion.
  2. Installing or building the CMS.
  3. Configuring the CMS, to link it to your database, client and domain name.
  4. Customizing the CMS with your retro's name, logo and theme.

Client ​

The client is the interface players see and interact with, it's the game itself! Of course, it's important that the client is appealing and works well.

You'll need to ensure that the client you pick is compatible with your chosen emulator, by comparing the Emulator's supported versions match the client version.

Setting up a client involves:

  1. Downloading the client files, which includes the game assets, furniture, clothes, etc.
  2. Configuring the files with the Emulator's network address, retro name, website URL and other relevant settings.
  3. Uploading the files to your web server or a CDN service.
  4. Linking the client to your CMS, so your players can start using it.

Domain Name ​

You'll likely want to use a domain name to allow players to connect to your website. A domain is the URL users use to access your website, such as my-hotel.org.

Setting up a domain involves:

  1. Buying a domain name from a reputable domain registar such as GoDaddy/Namecheap
  2. Pointing your domain name to your Web Server
  3. Securing your website with an SSL certificate (https)

💡 TIP:

You can use Cloudflare to protect your website from attacks and to get a free SSL certificate.