> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# SCP: Secret Laboratory config_gameplay.txt Settings Explained

> SCP: Secret Laboratory config_gameplay.txt explained: every section of Game settings on FREAKHOSTING, the presets, defaults, and settings you edit in the file.

SCP: Secret Laboratory keeps its gameplay rules in `config_gameplay.txt`, in `.config/SCP Secret Laboratory/config/<port>/`. On FREAKHOSTING, **Game settings** edits this file for you in seven sections: Server, Round rules, Respawn waves, Respawn tickets, Stamina and speed, Security and anti-cheat, and Announcements. Changes apply after a restart or after `config reload` in Remote Admin.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page |
| - | - | - | - |
| Beginner | 10 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING SCP:SL server | **Game settings**, **Files** |

## Before you start

* **Game settings** works once the file exists. Start the server and accept the EULA first; see [getting started](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/getting-started-with-your-scp-secret-laboratory-server.md).
* Remote Admin roles are in a different file. See [make yourself admin](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/scp-secret-laboratory-configuring-remoteadmin-ra.md).

## How to use Game settings

**1. Open Game settings**

Click **Game settings** under **GAME SETTINGS**. The **Checks** box lists problems with the file.

**2. Find a setting**

Use **Search settings**, or switch between **All** and **Changed**. Tick **Show advanced settings (11)** to see every setting.

**3. Or pick a preset**

Click **Presets**. **Friendly server** gives more tickets, no friendly fire and longer waves. **Hard server** turns friendly fire on, gives fewer tickets and slower stamina recovery. A preset only fills in the settings; nothing is saved yet.

**4. Save and restart**

Click **Review and save** to see the changes, then save. [Restart the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md), or run `config reload` in Remote Admin. **Discard** throws away unsaved changes.

![SCP: Secret Laboratory Game settings page showing Presets with Friendly server and Hard server, and the Server section](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/4aP1F1KWZ9A3tmJI/images/games/scp-secret-laboratory/scpsl-game-settings.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=4aP1F1KWZ9A3tmJI\&q=85\&s=1074c381dd5afed180ef1ff0cd9c54ee)

Game settings with the Presets menu open

## What is in each section?

| Section | Settings | Notes |
| - | - | - |
| **Server** | Server name, Player slots, Tick rate, Reserved slots, Contact e-mail, Player list title | **Player slots** shows the slots in your plan; for more, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). Tick rate 60 is the default |
| **Round rules** | Friendly fire, Next round starts after, Warhead countdown, gate, door and zone options during the countdown, No decontamination, Keep items after escaping, Tutorial role, No holiday events, grenade damage, intercom, AFK kick time, Ragdoll cleanup time, Map seed, Forced role, End the round with one player | Times are in seconds. **Map seed** `-1` gives a random facility each round |
| **Respawn waves** | Shortest and longest time between waves, Nine-Tailed Fox and Chaos wave size, Nine-Tailed Fox first, Smart class picker | Controls when and how big MTF and Chaos waves are |
| **Respawn tickets** | Respawn tickets, Starting Nine-Tailed Fox tickets, Starting Chaos tickets | The ratio between the two decides which team is more likely to spawn |
| **Stamina and speed** | Stamina use while sprinting, Stamina regeneration speed, Walk speed, Sprint speed | `0.05` stamina use is 5% per second of sprinting |
| **Security and anti-cheat** | Check players with the central server, Ban by IP address, Whitelist, Query port, Query administrator password, Same account can join twice, Same IP address for joining and signing in, Kick players who flood the server, Forward ports automatically | Leave **Check players with the central server** on; see the warning below |
| **Announcements** | Announce kicks, bans, the warhead countdown and decontamination | A message to everyone when it happens |

> [!WARNING]
>
> **Check players with the central server** must stay on. With it off, anyone can join under any name, and the server cannot be on the public list.

## Common settings and their file names

| Game settings label | Key in `config_gameplay.txt` | Default in the official template |
| - | - | - |
| Server name | `server_name` | `My Server Name` |
| Tick rate | `server_tickrate` | `60` |
| Reserved slots | `use_reserved_slots` | `true` |
| Contact e-mail | `contact_email` | `default` |
| Player list title | `player_list_title` | `default` |
| Friendly fire | `friendly_fire` | `false` |
| Next round starts after | `auto_round_restart_time` | `10` |
| Warhead countdown | `warhead_tminus_start_duration` | `90` |
| No decontamination | `disable_decontamination` | `false` |
| Intercom cooldown | `intercom_cooldown` | `120` |
| Intercom speech time | `intercom_max_speech_time` | `20` |
| AFK kick time | `afk_time` | `90` |
| Map seed | `map_seed` | `-1` |
| Forced role | `server_forced_class` | `-1` |
| Whitelist | `enable_whitelist` | `false` |
| Check players with the central server | `online_mode` | `true` |

## Settings that are only in the file

Some settings are not on **Game settings**. Edit them in **Files** in `config_gameplay.txt`, keeping the `key: value` format, and restart.

| Key | Default | What it does |
| - | - | - |
| `914_mode` | `default` | Which items SCP-914 processes; see [SCP-914 recipes](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/configuring-scp-914-recipes.md) |
| `lobby_waiting_time` | `default` | Time on the waiting-for-players screen; see [lobby](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/customizing-the-lobby-waiting-screen.md) |
| `team_respawn_queue` | `default` | The order roles are given at round start; see [SCP spawns](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/scp-health-and-spawn-scaling.md) |
| `serverinfo_pastebin_id` | | The Pastebin page with your server info |
| `spawn_protect_enabled` | `false` | Spawn protection after respawning |
| `096_destroy_locked_doors` | `true` | SCP-096 can break locked doors |
| `geoblocking_mode` | `none` | Block or allow countries |
| `transparently_modded_server` | `false` | Declares a transparently modded server under Northwood's guidelines |

Do not change player slot settings in the file. Use **Player slots** and a ticket for more slots.

## Frequently asked questions

### Where is config\_gameplay.txt on my server?

In **Files**, at `.config/SCP Secret Laboratory/config/<port>/config_gameplay.txt`. `<port>` is your server's port. The files in `ConfigTemplates` are templates and are not used.

### Do I need to restart after changing settings?

Yes, or run `config reload` in Remote Admin (needs the **ServerConfigs** permission). If a change doesn't apply, restart the server.

### What do the presets change?

**Friendly server**: more tickets, no friendly fire and longer waves. **Hard server**: friendly fire on, fewer tickets and slower stamina recovery. You see every change before you save.

### Can I edit the file by hand?

Yes. Open it in **Files**. Keep a backup, and use **Game settings** where a setting is available so the values stay valid.

## Related guides

> [card] [SCP:SL server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/scp-secret-laboratory-server-hosting-guide.md)
>
> Every SCP:SL page in one place.

> [card] [Friendly fire](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/configuring-friendly-fire.md)
>
> Team damage and the detector.

> [card] [Decontamination](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/adjusting-light-containment-decontamination.md)
>
> Light Containment settings.

> [card] [SCP health and spawns](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/scp-health-and-spawn-scaling.md)
>
> Spawn queue and waves.

> [card] [Whitelist players](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/how-to-whitelist-players-on-scp-secret-laboratory.md)
>
> The Whitelist setting.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 3 November 2026 (SCP: Secret Laboratory dedicated server with EXILED). Config keys checked against the [official SCP:SL Gameplay Config Setup guide](https://techwiki.scpslgame.com/books/server-guides/page/2-gameplay-config-setup). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** November 2026


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