How to Host a Project Zomboid Server

Welcome, Dev, to this journal article that will guide you on how to host a Project Zomboid server. Project Zomboid is a popular open-world survival game that allows you to experience the thrill of surviving a zombie apocalypse. Hosting your own server gives you more control over your gaming experience, and you can even invite your friends to play with you. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Choosing a Server Hosting Provider

The first step in hosting a Project Zomboid server is to choose a server hosting provider. There are many hosting providers available, and it’s important to choose one that best suits your needs. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a hosting provider:

Server Specifications

Make sure that the hosting provider offers servers with the necessary specifications to run Project Zomboid. Project Zomboid requires at least 2GB of RAM and 1GHz CPU. Additionally, look for a hosting provider that offers SSD storage and low latency network connections.

Price

The price of hosting a server can vary significantly depending on the hosting provider. Consider your budget and look for a hosting provider that offers a reasonable price for the server specifications you need.

Customer Support

It’s important to choose a hosting provider that offers good customer support in case you encounter any issues. Look for a provider that offers 24/7 customer support and a knowledge base or community forums to help you troubleshoot problems.

Popular Hosting Providers

Here are some popular hosting providers for Project Zomboid servers:

Step 2: Installing Project Zomboid Server

Once you have chosen a hosting provider, the next step is to install Project Zomboid server. Follow these steps to install the server:

1. Download the Server Files

Go to the Project Zomboid website and download the server files. Make sure to choose the correct version for your operating system (Windows, Linux, or Mac).

2. Extract the Server Files

Create a new folder on your computer and extract the server files into it.

3. Configure the Server Settings

Open the server.ini file in a text editor and configure the server settings. Here are some important settings:

4. Start the Server

Run the ProjectZomboidServer.bat file to start the server. The server will take some time to start up, and you will see a console window with the server logs. Once the server is up and running, you can join it in the game.

Step 3: Configuring the Server Settings

Now that the server is up and running, you can configure the server settings to customize your gaming experience. Here are some important settings:

ServerSettings.ini

The ServerSettings.ini file contains the general settings for the server. Here are some important settings:

AdminSettings.ini

The AdminSettings.ini file contains the settings for server administration. Here are some important settings:

Step 4: Inviting Friends to the Server

Now that your server is up and running, you can invite your friends to play with you. Here are some ways to invite friends:

1. Direct Connect

Your friends can connect to your server directly by entering the IP address and port number in the game. Give them your public IP address and the server port number (default is 16261).

2. Steam Group

Create a steam group for your Project Zomboid server and invite your friends to join. Once they are in the group, they can join your server directly from the group page.

3. Discord Server

Create a Discord server for your Project Zomboid community and invite your friends to join. You can use Discord to coordinate game sessions and announcements.

FAQ

1. Can I host a Project Zomboid server on my own computer?

Yes, you can host a Project Zomboid server on your own computer. However, this is not recommended as it can impact your computer’s performance and you may run into issues with your internet connection.

2. Can I customize the server settings?

Yes, you can customize the server settings to suit your needs. You can edit the server.ini, ServerSettings.ini, and AdminSettings.ini files to configure the server settings.

3. How many players can join my server?

The default maximum number of players is 8. However, you can increase this by editing the MaxPlayers setting in the server.ini file.

4. Can I install mods on my server?

Yes, you can install mods on your server. You can download mods from the Project Zomboid forums and install them by adding them to the Mods folder in your server directory.

5. How can I backup my server?

You can backup your server by copying the entire server directory to a backup location. It’s recommended to backup your server regularly to avoid losing progress or data.

That’s it, Dev! We hope this guide has been helpful in hosting your own Project Zomboid server. Have fun surviving the zombie apocalypse!