How to Host the Forest Dedicated Server

Hello Dev, are you looking to host your own dedicated server for the popular survival game, The Forest? Hosting your own server can give you more control over the game settings and provide a better overall gaming experience for you and your friends. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to host the Forest dedicated server on your computer.

Step 1: System Requirements

Before you host a dedicated server for The Forest, it is important to make sure your computer meets the necessary system requirements.

Minimum System Requirements

Component	Minimum Requirement
CPU	Intel Dual-Core 2.4 GHz
RAM	4GB
GPU	Nvidia GTX 560
OS	Windows 7/8/10 64-bit

Recommended System Requirements

Component	Recommended Requirement
CPU	Intel Quad-Core i5 3.0 GHz
RAM	8GB
GPU	Nvidia GTX 960
OS	Windows 10 64-bit

Make sure you have a stable internet connection and enough storage space to host the dedicated server.

Step 2: Download and Install SteamCMD

In order to host a dedicated server for The Forest, you will need to download and install SteamCMD, a command-line version of the Steam client.

Download and Install SteamCMD on Windows

1. Open the SteamCMD website: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
2. Click the “Windows” link to download SteamCMD for Windows
3. Extract the downloaded file to a location on your computer

Download and Install SteamCMD on Mac

1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac
2. Enter the following command: /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_osx.tar.gz)"
3. SteamCMD will be installed in the current directory

Step 3: Download and Install the Forest Dedicated Server

Now that you have SteamCMD installed, you can use it to download and install the dedicated server files for The Forest.

1. Open SteamCMD
2. Enter the following command: login anonymous
3. Enter the following command to download the dedicated server files: app_update 346110 validate
4. Wait for the download and installation to complete

Step 4: Configure the Dedicated Server

Now that you have downloaded and installed the dedicated server files, you need to configure the server to your liking.

Server Configuration File

The server configuration file is located in the server installation directory under the “forest_server_Data” folder. The file is called “dedicated.cfg” and can be opened with any text editor.

Game Settings

The game settings can also be configured in the “dedicated.cfg” file. The file contains settings for game rules, player limits, and more. Some of the most popular game settings are:

• maxplayers – sets the maximum number of players allowed on the server
• difficulty – sets the difficulty level of the game (peaceful, normal, hard)
• daycycle – sets the length of a day in the game
• maxanimals – sets the maximum number of animals allowed on the server

Admin Settings

The “dedicated.cfg” file also contains settings for server administration, such as:

• adminpassword – sets the password for the admin account
• banlistfile – sets the file used to store banned player information
• antihack – turns on or off the anti-cheat system on the server
• kickafktime – sets the time limit for kicking inactive players

Step 5: Start the Dedicated Server

Now that you have configured the dedicated server to your liking, you can start the server and invite your friends to join.

Start the Dedicated Server on Windows

1. Open the Windows Command Prompt
2. Change directory to the server installation directory
3. Enter the following command to start the server: start forest_server.exe -batchmode -nographics -config dedicated.cfg

Start the Dedicated Server on Mac

1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac
2. Change directory to the server installation directory
3. Enter the following command to start the server: ./forest_server.app/Contents/MacOS/forest_server -batchmode -nographics -config dedicated.cfg

FAQ

Q: How many players can join my dedicated server?

A: The maximum number of players that can join a dedicated server is 8.

Q: Can I play on my own dedicated server?

A: Yes, you can play on your own dedicated server by starting the game and joining the server with the IP address “localhost”.

Q: Can I change the game settings while the server is running?

A: Yes, you can change the game settings in the “dedicated.cfg” file while the server is running. However, some settings may require a server restart to take effect.

Q: Can I host the dedicated server on a remote machine?

A: Yes, you can host the dedicated server on a remote machine by following the same steps outlined in this article. However, you will need to forward the necessary ports on your router and provide your friends with the IP address of the remote machine.