At game-serverhosting, you can change the game of an existing server directly in the panel without ordering a new server. Three points are important: the price preview shows you the billing before confirmation, a backup is created before the change, and worlds or plugins may not be automatically compatible depending on the game.
When Changing Games Makes Sense
Changing games is useful if you want to keep using your existing server term but want to test or permanently run a different game. Typical cases include switching from a smaller game to a more resource-intensive setup, from a survival title to another multiplayer game, or back to a cheaper package.
At game-serverhosting, the basic idea remains transparent: you do not switch blindly, but see before confirming whether costs will be incurred. This is especially suitable for servers where you want to retain technical control, but do not want to manually piece together billing, backups, and operational processes.
If you only want to change the software within a game, a full game change is often not the right approach. For Minecraft, for example, switching between Vanilla, Paper, Purpur, Forge, and Fabric is a separate process. The guide Changing the Minecraft Server Version – Vanilla, Paper, Purpur, Forge & Fabric Without Reinstalling fits this topic. If, on the other hand, you want to bring an existing Minecraft world onto a server, Uploading & Changing a Minecraft World – Your Own Map on the Server will help.
Requirements Before the Change
First check whether you really want to change the game and not just a version, modloader variant, or world. A game change installs different server software. This can make existing worlds, savegames, configurations, mods, or plugins incompatible.
You should also have access to the server panel and know whether your server runs on credit or a subscription. For credit-based servers, the panel can calculate and charge the proportional difference directly. For a server with a Stripe subscription, a change with a price adjustment is currently not yet a self-service process; for this, contact support.
As the official primary source for subscription payment logic, you can refer to the Stripe documentation on subscriptions: documentation at docs.stripe.com. For your specific server, however, the display in the game-serverhosting panel is always authoritative because that is where the game, term, credit, and price preview are brought together.
How the Change Works in the Panel
Open your server in the panel and go to the game or software selection. There you select the new game. Before you confirm, the panel shows you the billing for this specific change: free change, proportional difference, or a notice about insufficient credit.
When you confirm the change, a backup of your server is automatically created before the conversion. The system then installs the new server software. Still, plan consciously: a backup protects your previous data, but it does not automatically make it compatible with every other game.
Case 1: Switching to a More Expensive Game
If the new game costs more than your current game, you do not pay the full new monthly price again. Instead, only the difference is calculated, proportionally for the remaining term of your already paid period. This amount is immediately deducted from your credit. From the next renewal onward, the new, higher monthly price applies.
Calculation example: Your current game costs €5.00 per month, the new one costs €10.00. If your current period still has 15 of 30 days remaining, you pay the following when switching:
(€10.00 - €5.00) × 15 / 30 = €2.50
This €2.50 is deducted once from your credit. At the next renewal, the full new price of €10.00 will then be due.
If you have a discounted price, for example through a promotion, your discount remains in place. The calculation follows the delta method: new price = previous discounted price + difference between the regular list prices. Changing games is therefore not a reason to automatically lose an existing discount.
Case 2: Switching to an Equally Expensive or Cheaper Game
If you switch to a game that costs the same or less, the change is free. Nothing is deducted. Your monthly price immediately drops to the price of the new game.
Important: You do not receive a refund for the current period because it has already been paid for. However, you also do not lose any remaining term. From the next renewal onward, the lower price is applied.
If you want to generally assess ongoing hosting costs before making a decision, the overview Game Server Costs at a Glance – What Does Gaming Hosting Cost? is a useful follow-up.
Case 3: Not Enough Credit
If your credit is not sufficient for an upgrade, the panel will not carry out the change. This prevents an unclear intermediate state: the server stays on the previous game until you have topped up enough credit and confirmed the change again.
In this case, the panel directly offers you a button to top up your credit. After topping up, you can complete the game change and have the displayed difference deducted.
Case 4: Server With a Subscription
If your server runs via a subscription, meaning a Stripe subscription, changing games with a price adjustment is currently not yet possible via self-service. In this case, contact support. The change itself is free; billing will be adjusted to match the new game.
If you are unsure whether your server runs on credit or a subscription, check the payment method in the customer area or ask support before planning the change.
Checking the Result
After the change, you should check whether the new game is shown in the panel, whether the server starts, and whether the price information matches the preview shown earlier. For an upgrade, the proportional deduction should be visible in your credit. For a downgrade, the new lower monthly price for the next renewal should be recognizable.
Also check the server files. If you intentionally start with a new world or a new savegame, that is expected. If you wanted to keep using data, check whether the new game supports these files at all.
Troubleshooting
The Change Is Blocked Due to Insufficient Credit
Top up credit using the offered button and then start the change again. The deduction only takes place once you confirm the price preview.
The New Game Does Not Start as Expected
First check logs, configuration, and startup parameters in the panel. Some games require different ports, different default files, or a fresh world. If the error is not clear, contact support with the server ID, time of the change, and relevant log excerpts.
My Old World Is Not Visible
This is possible when changing games. Different games use different formats. The automatic backup saves the previous state, but it does not automatically make the data compatible.
I Have a Subscription and Do Not See a Self-Service Option
This is the current special case for subscriptions with a price adjustment. Contact support so the change can be carried out cleanly.
Checks, Limits, and a Safe Way Back
The guide “Changing Games: Costs, Billing, and Preparation” applies to the server type described in the article and the version state visible at the time of review. Menu names, available versions, mod or plugin compatibility, and required resources may differ after updates. Therefore, do not transfer values to another game, loader, or server version without checking them.
Before making changes to a world, savegame, configuration, or extensions, create a backup of the affected files. Then change only one related step and test it with the same client and server version you want to play with later.
| Checkpoint | Expected Result | Abort and Way Back |
|---|---|---|
| Server start | The server reaches the ready-to-operate state without a new error message. | If startup errors occur, undo the change and restore the latest backup. |
| Connection test | A test account can connect using the address shown in the panel. | If version or connection errors occur, compare the version, port, and permissions again. |
| Function test | The specifically changed function works without damaging existing world or game data. | If side effects occur, stop the server and restore the backed-up files. |
A successful individual test is not a guarantee of performance or availability. World size, mods, plugins, player count, network path, and simultaneous load can change the result. Document the version, change, and test result so you can trace later deviations.
FAQ
Do I Pay the Full New Price Twice When Switching?
No. When upgrading, you only pay the proportional difference for the remaining days of the current period. You only pay the full new price from the next renewal onward.
Do I Get Money Back When Downgrading?
No, there is no refund for the current period. In return, the change is free, your remaining term stays intact, and the lower price applies from the next renewal onward.
Do I Lose My Discount if I Change the Game?
No. With an existing discount, the delta method is used: previous discounted price plus the difference between the regular list prices.
Are My World and Plugins Carried Over?
Not automatically. Each game uses its own server software and its own data formats. A backup is created before the change, but compatibility depends on the respective game.
Can I Switch Back to the Old Game Afterward?
In principle, you can start another game change. Whether old data can be used again depends on the backup and the compatibility of the respective server software.
What Should I Keep in Mind About DDoS Protection and Operations?
A game change changes the game software, not automatically your general security requirements. You can find the basics in the guide DDoS Protection for Game Servers – What You Need to Know.