How do you create a RedM server? The complete 2026 guide

You know the Wild West of Red Dead Redemption 2, and you dream of seeing your own community come alive in it: sheriffs, outlaws, saloon owners. That's exactly what RedM makes possible — the RP flavour of RDR2 from CitizenFX, the western counterpart to FiveM. Before writing a single line of configuration, let's start with the big picture: what a RedM server is really made of.

The three building blocks of a RedM server

A RedM server always rests on three pieces that fit together:

• The CitizenFX server artifact: the engine that runs everything, working exactly like the one behind FiveM.
• A cfx.re license key generated from the Keymaster portal: it's your server's identity with CitizenFX.
• An RP framework, almost always VORP on RedM, which brings characters, inventory and economy.

Step 0: what your players will need to own

An often-forgotten point: every player (and you) must own a legal copy of Red Dead Redemption 2 to connect. RedM attaches to the game, it doesn't replace it. Warn your community before opening day to avoid disappointment on launch night.

Deciding where the server will run

Two paths lie ahead of you. Run the artifact at home, on a machine that stays on around the clock, with open ports and Anti-DDoS on your shoulders. Or hand all of that to a ready-to-use RedM host that pre-installs the artifact and txAdmin. The first teaches you a lot, the second saves you entire evenings.

Creating a RedM server isn't installing a piece of software: it's assembling a CitizenFX engine, a cfx.re license and a VORP framework that all need to speak the same language. Every missing block brings the whole thing to a halt.

The logical next step in the journey

Once the vision is set, it's time to get practical: the details of the install (artifact, txAdmin, VORP) are covered step by step in How to install RedM on your server. And if you're still unsure which machine to pick, our guide which host for a RedM server lays out the right criteria.

The Fly-Serv shortcut

At Fly-Serv, the technical block is already assembled: RedM artifact, txAdmin and the FlyPanel panel delivered pre-installed, on Ryzen 9 7950X3D processors built for RP. You paste your cfx.re key, you deploy VORP, and your saloon opens its doors. Launch your RedM server from 1,99 €/month, instant delivery and no commitment.