How to Host a Server on Project Zomboid

Hello Dev, welcome to our guide on how to host a server on Project Zomboid. If you’re a fan of survival games and love playing with friends, then hosting your own server on Project Zomboid can be an amazing experience. In this guide, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to set up a server on Project Zomboid, as well as tips on how to manage and customize it to your liking.

What You’ll Need

Before we get started, there are a few things you’ll need to set up a server on Project Zomboid. These include:

Item	Description
Project Zomboid Game	You will need to purchase and download the game on Steam or GOG.
Server Hosting Software	You can use either SteamCMD or PZServerLauncher to host your server.
Computer	You will need a computer to run the server.
Internet Connection	You will need a stable internet connection to host the server.

Once you have all of these items, you’re ready to begin setting up your own Project Zomboid server.

Step 1: Installing SteamCMD or PZServerLauncher

The first step in hosting a server on Project Zomboid is to install the server hosting software. You can use either SteamCMD or PZServerLauncher to host your server.

Using SteamCMD

If you choose to use SteamCMD, follow these steps:

1. Download and install SteamCMD on your computer.
2. Open SteamCMD and login with your Steam account.
3. Type in the following command: app_update 380870 validate
4. Wait for the download and installation process to complete.

Using PZServerLauncher

If you choose to use PZServerLauncher, follow these steps:

1. Download and install PZServerLauncher on your computer.
2. Open PZServerLauncher and click on the “Install/Update Server” button.
3. Wait for the download and installation process to complete.

Step 2: Configuring Your Server

Once you have installed the server hosting software, you will need to configure your server. This involves setting up your server options, including the game mode, player limit, and other settings.

SteamCMD Configuration

If you are using SteamCMD, follow these steps to configure your server:

1. Open SteamCMD and type in the following command: login anonymous
2. Type in the following command: force_install_dir C:\pzserver
3. Type in the following command: app_update 380870 validate
4. Create a new file called “server.ini” in the following directory: C:\pzserver\ProjectZomboid\Server\
5. Edit the “server.ini” file with the following options:

Option	Description
UserName	Your username for the server.
Password	Your password for the server.
Public	Set to “true” to make your server public, or “false” to make it private.
ServerPort	The port number for your server. Default is 16261.
ServerMaxPlayers	The maximum number of players on your server. Default is 8.
ServerName	The name of your server.

PZServerLauncher Configuration

If you are using PZServerLauncher, follow these steps to configure your server:

1. Open PZServerLauncher and click on the “Server Settings” button.
2. Edit the server options, including game mode, player limit, and other settings.
3. Click on the “Save and Launch” button to start your server.

Step 3: Starting Your Server

Once you have configured your server, you are ready to start it. Follow these steps to start your server:

SteamCMD Server Start

If you are using SteamCMD, follow these steps to start your server:

1. Open SteamCMD and type in the following command: login anonymous
2. Type in the following command: force_install_dir C:\pzserver
3. Type in the following command: app_update 380870 validate
4. Type in the following command: cd C:\pzserver\ProjectZomboid\Server\
5. Type in the following command: start ProjectZomboidServer.bat

PZServerLauncher Server Start

If you are using PZServerLauncher, follow these steps to start your server:

1. Open PZServerLauncher and click on the “Launch Server” button.
2. Wait for the server to start.

Step 4: Customizing Your Server

Now that you have successfully set up and started your server, you can start customizing it to your liking. This includes adding mods, changing the game mode, and adjusting the server settings.

Adding Mods

To add mods to your server, follow these steps:

1. Download the mod files from the internet.
2. Extract the mod files to the following directory: C:\pzserver\ProjectZomboid\mods\
3. Edit the “servertest.ini” file with the following options:

Option	Description
modName	The name of the mod.
modId	The ID of the mod.
steamWorkshop	Set to “true” if the mod is from the Steam Workshop.

Changing the Game Mode

To change the game mode on your server, follow these steps:

1. Open the “servertest.ini” file.
2. Find the “GameMode” option and change it to your desired game mode.

Adjusting Server Settings

To adjust the server settings, follow these steps:

1. Open the “servertest.ini” file.
2. Edit the server options, including game mode, player limit, and other settings.

FAQs

Q: Can I host a server on Project Zomboid if I don’t own the game?

A: No, you cannot host a server on Project Zomboid if you do not own the game. You will need to purchase and download the game before you can host a server.

Q: Can I host a server on Project Zomboid for free?

A: No, you will need to purchase and download the game on Steam or GOG. Additionally, you may need to pay for server hosting services if you do not have a stable internet connection.

Q: How many players can join my server?

A: The default player limit is 8, but this can be changed in the server configuration settings.

Q: How do I add mods to my server?

A: Follow the “Adding Mods” section of this guide to add mods to your server.

Q: How do I change the game mode on my server?

A: Follow the “Changing the Game Mode” section of this guide to change the game mode on your server.

Thank you for following our guide on how to host a server on Project Zomboid. We hope you found this guide helpful and informative. If you have any additional questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.