How to Host a Project Zomboid Server for Friends

Hey Dev, are you tired of playing Project Zomboid alone? Do you want to host a server for you and your friends? Look no further, because we have got you covered. In this article, we will walk you through the process of hosting a Project Zomboid server, step by step. Let’s get started.

Requirements

Before we begin, here are the requirements:

Requirements	Description
Operating System	Windows, Linux or Mac
Processor	1.5GHz or faster
RAM	At least 2GB
Storage	At least 1GB of free disk space
Internet Connection	At least 1Mbps upload and download speed

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Download SteamCMD

The first step is to download and install SteamCMD. SteamCMD is a command-line tool that is used to install and update game servers. You can download SteamCMD from the official Valve website. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the official Valve website: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
2. Click on the “Windows” link if you’re using Windows, or “Linux” if you’re using Linux.
3. Download the SteamCMD installer to your computer.
4. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Create a Project Zomboid Server Folder

The next step is to create a Project Zomboid server folder. This is where all the server files will be stored. Here’s how to do it:

1. Create a new folder on your computer. You can name it whatever you like, but for this tutorial, we’ll call it “ProjectZomboidServer”.
2. Open the newly created folder.
3. Create a new folder called “Server”.

Step 3: Download the Project Zomboid Dedicated Server Files

The next step is to download the Project Zomboid dedicated server files. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open SteamCMD.
2. Type the following command: login anonymous
3. Type the following command: force_install_dir C:\Path\To\ProjectZomboidServer\Server
4. Type the following command: app_update 380870 validate
5. Wait for the download to complete.

Step 4: Configure the Server

The next step is to configure the server. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the “ProjectZomboidServer\Server” folder.
2. Open the “server.ini” file using a text editor.
3. Change the following lines:
   • Public=true to Public=false (this will make the server private)
   • Password= to Password=yourpassword (this will set a password for the server)
   • MaxPlayers=8 to MaxPlayers=4 (this will limit the number of players to 4)
4. Save the file and close it.

Step 5: Run the Server

The final step is to run the server. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open SteamCMD.
2. Type the following command: login anonymous
3. Type the following command: force_install_dir C:\Path\To\ProjectZomboidServer\Server
4. Type the following command: app_update 380870 validate
5. Type the following command: cd C:\Path\To\ProjectZomboidServer\Server
6. Type the following command: start ProjectZomboidServer.bat
7. The server should now be running.

FAQs

Q1. How do I connect to the server?

A1. To connect to the server, open Project Zomboid and click on “Multiplayer”. Enter the server IP address and password and click “Join”.

Q2. How do I change the server settings?

A2. To change the server settings, go to the “server.ini” file and edit the lines as per your preference.

Q3. How can I customize the server?

A3. You can customize the server by installing mods and plugins. You can find a wide variety of mods and plugins on the official Project Zomboid forums.

Q4. Can I host a server on a dedicated server?

A4. Yes, you can host a Project Zomboid server on a dedicated server. Just follow the same steps as mentioned in this article.

Q5. Can I host a server on a VPS?

A5. Yes, you can host a Project Zomboid server on a VPS. Just make sure the VPS meets the requirements mentioned earlier.

Conclusion

Congratulations, Dev! You have successfully learned how to host a Project Zomboid server for you and your friends. We hope this article helped you in setting up the server. Happy gaming!