Welcome Devs, in this article we will guide you through the process of hosting your own 7 Days to Die game server. 7 Days to Die is a popular multiplayer survival game that involves surviving hordes of zombies while scavenging and building your own fortress. Creating your own server will give you more control over your gameplay experience and allow you to play with your friends without the limitations of public servers. Follow this 7-day guide and you’ll be hosting your own 7 Days to Die server in no time!
Day 1: Planning and Preparation
The first step to hosting your own 7 Days to Die game server is to properly plan and prepare for the setup process. Below are some things you should consider before moving forward with your server setup.
Choose Your Hosting Provider
Before you begin, you will need to choose a hosting provider to host your server on. There are many hosting providers that specialize in game servers, but you want to choose one that provides reliable and efficient hosting services at a reasonable price. Some popular hosting providers for 7 Days to Die include:
Hosting Provider |
Price per Month |
Features |
|---|---|---|
Blue Fang Solutions |
$13.99 |
Dedicated IP, FTP Access, Custom Control Panel |
Survival Servers |
$14.99 |
24/7 support, DDos Protection, Mod Support |
GameServers.com |
$12.95 |
Instant Setup, Custom Control Panel, Mod Support |
Choose Your Server Location
Choosing a server location is important as it affects the ping or latency of your game server. You want to choose a server that is closest to your location and your potential players. This will ensure that the latency is low and the gameplay experience is smooth. If you have players from different regions, you can choose a server location that is central to all players. Most hosting providers offer server locations in different regions, so choose wisely.
Server Configuration
Before creating your server, you should consider the type of server you want to create. There are two types of servers you can create – a dedicated server or a peer-to-peer server.
A dedicated server is a server that is run on a remote machine and is constantly active, even when no players are connected. This is the recommended type of server for 7 Days to Die as it provides a stable and reliable gameplay experience.
A peer-to-peer server is a server that is run on a player’s own machine and requires that player to be online for other players to connect. This type of server is less stable and reliable compared to dedicated servers and is not recommended for 7 Days to Die.
Hardware Requirements
The hardware requirements for hosting a 7 Days to Die game server vary depending on the number of players and the difficulty settings of the game. Below are the minimum hardware requirements for hosting a server:
- 4 GB RAM
- 2 GHz Dual-core CPU
- 100 Mbps Network Speed
- 10 GB Free Disk Space
Make sure that your hosting provider meets these hardware requirements before setting up your server.
Software Requirements
Aside from the hardware requirements, you will also need to install the necessary software for hosting your own 7 Days to Die game server. Below are the software requirements:
- 7 Days to Die Dedicated Server
- SteamCMD
- Notepad++
Make sure to download and install these software on your server before moving to the next step.
Day 2: Installing 7 Days to Die Dedicated Server
With the planning and preparation out of the way, it’s time to move on to the installation process. Follow the steps below to install your 7 Days to Die dedicated server:
Step 1: Downloading SteamCMD
The first step is to download SteamCMD from the official website. SteamCMD is the software that allows you to install and manage dedicated game servers on Steam. You can download SteamCMD from the following link: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
Step 2: Installing SteamCMD
After downloading SteamCMD, extract the folder and place it in a directory where you want your server installed. Open the extracted folder and run the steamcmd.exe file. SteamCMD will start downloading the necessary files.
Step 3: Login to SteamCMD
After downloading SteamCMD, you will need to login to SteamCMD using your Steam account credentials. Enter the following commands:
login anonymous
force_install_dir
app_update 294420 -beta latest_experimental validate
The first command logs you in as an anonymous user. The second command specifies the directory where you want your server installed. The third command installs the 7 Days to Die dedicated server in the specified directory.
Step 4: Configure Your Server
After installing the game server, you need to configure your server settings. Open the “serverconfig.xml” file in the “Data” folder of your server directory using Notepad++. You can configure various server settings such as server name, difficulty, password, and more. Refer to the official 7 Days to Die wiki for more information on configuring your server.
Step 5: Start Your Server
After configuring your server, save the file and start your server using the following command:
7DaysToDieServer.exe -configfile=serverconfig.xml -logfile=server_log.txt
Your server should start and be visible on the server list in the game.
Day 3: Port Forwarding and Firewall Configuration
Now that you have your server installed and running, you need to allow players to connect to your server. Port forwarding and firewall configuration are required for players to connect to your server. Follow the steps below to configure port forwarding and firewall on your server:
Step 1: Port Forwarding
Port forwarding is required to allow players to connect to your server. You need to forward port 26900 in your router’s settings to your server’s internal IP address. Refer to your router’s manual for instructions on port forwarding.
Step 2: Firewall Configuration
You need to allow 7 Days to Die through your server’s firewall to allow players to connect to your server. Follow the steps below to configure your server’s firewall:
- Open the Control Panel and click on System and Security.
- Click on Windows Firewall and click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall”.
- Click on “Change settings” and check the box next to 7 Days to Die.
- Click on OK to save the changes.
Your server should now be accessible to players.
Day 4: Mod Installation
7 Days to Die supports mods that add new gameplay features and mechanics to the game. Installing mods on your server is easy and can greatly enhance your gameplay experience. Follow the steps below to install mods on your server:
Step 1: Downloading Mods
You can download mods from various websites such as Nexus Mods and Mod Nexus. Choose a mod that you want to install and download it to your server’s directory.
Step 2: Installing Mods
After downloading the mod, extract the mod files to the “Mods” folder in your server’s directory. Start your server and the mod should be active.
Day 5: Server Administration
As the server admin, you have control over your server’s settings and gameplay experience. Below are some common server administration tasks that you should be familiar with:
Server Settings
You can configure various server settings such as difficulty, time settings, zombie settings, and more. Open the “serverconfig.xml” file in the “Data” folder of your server directory using Notepad++. Refer to the official 7 Days to Die wiki for more information on server settings.
Player Management
You have control over the players that connect to your server. You can ban or kick players that violate your server’s rules or cause disruption in the gameplay experience.
Gameplay Monitoring
As the server admin, you should keep an eye on the gameplay and ensure that everything is running smoothly. You should also address any issues or concerns that players may have.
Day 6: Regular Maintenance and Backups
Hosting a game server requires regular maintenance to ensure that everything is running smoothly. Below are some maintenance tasks that you should perform on a regular basis:
Server Updates
7 Days to Die receives regular updates that add new features and fixes bugs. You should regularly update your server to ensure that you have the latest version of the game.
Backup Your Server
Regularly backing up your server is important in case of server crashes, hardware failures, or other issues. Make sure to backup your server files on a regular basis.
Day 7: FAQ
Q: Can I run the server and play the game on the same machine?
A: Yes, but it’s not recommended as it can affect the performance of your machine and your gameplay experience.
Q: Can I install mods on my server?
A: Yes, you can install mods on your server to enhance your gameplay experience. Refer to Day 4 for instructions on how to install mods.
Q: How many players can connect to my server?
A: The number of players that can connect to your server depends on your server’s hardware specifications and the server settings. Make sure to choose a hosting provider that meets the hardware requirements and configure your server settings accordingly.
Q: Can I play on my own server?
A: Yes, you can play on your own server by connecting to the server’s IP address.
Q: How do I become a server admin?
A: You can become a server admin by adding your Steam account to the server’s admin list. Open the “admins.xml” file in the “Data” folder of your server directory using Notepad++. Refer to the official 7 Days to Die wiki for more information on adding admin accounts.
Conclusion
Hosting your own 7 Days to Die server can be a rewarding experience that provides more control over your gameplay experience and allows you to play with your friends without the limitations of public servers. Follow this 7-day guide and you’ll be hosting your own 7 Days to Die server in no time!