How to Host a Server on Starbound: A Comprehensive Guide for Devs

Welcome Devs! Are you having trouble hosting a server on Starbound? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Starbound is an open world sandbox game that allows players to explore the vast universe and build their own creations. Hosting your server allows you to invite friends to join in on the exploration and creativity. In this guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of hosting a server on Starbound. So, let’s get started!

Prerequisites for Hosting a Starbound Server

Before we dive into the actual process of hosting a server on Starbound, let’s go through the prerequisites that you’ll need to have in order to set up your server.

1. A Copy of Starbound

The first and foremost requirement for hosting a Starbound server is a copy of the game. You can purchase the game on Steam or through the official Starbound website.

2. A Dedicated Server

In order to host a Starbound server, you will need access to a dedicated server. This can either be a physical server or a virtual server hosted by a third-party provider.

3. Basic Knowledge of Command Line Interface

In order to set up and configure your Starbound server, you will need to have basic knowledge of command line interface (CLI) and be comfortable with navigating and executing commands in a terminal.

4. A Text Editor

You will need a text editor to create and edit configuration files for your Starbound server. Popular text editors include Notepad++, Sublime Text, and Atom.

Step-by-Step Guide to Host a Starbound Server

Step 1: Log in to Your Server

The first step is to log in to your dedicated server. You can do this through the terminal, using a SSH client such as PuTTY or through the server’s online control panel, depending on your server provider.

Step 2: Install Starbound Server

After you have logged in to your server, you will need to download and install the Starbound server software. The latest version can be downloaded from the official Starbound website.

To install the Starbound server, follow these steps:

This will create a new directory called “starbound_server” and download the latest version of the Starbound server software into that directory.

Step 3: Configure Your Server

After you have installed the Starbound server, you will need to configure your server by editing the configuration files. The configuration files are located in the “starbound_server” directory.

The two main configuration files that you will need to edit are “starbound_server.config” and “starbound_server.config.patch”. Here are the steps to configure your server:

Edit the starbound_server.config File

This file contains general settings for your server, such as the server name, server description, and port number.

To edit the starbound_server.config file, follow these steps:

Edit the starbound_server.config.patch File

This file contains settings for server mods, whitelisting, and banned players.

To edit the starbound_server.config.patch file, follow these steps:

Step 4: Start Your Server

After you have configured your server, it’s time to start your server. To start your Starbound server, execute the following command:

./starbound_server

If everything is set up correctly, you should see the server output in your terminal.

Step 5: Connect to Your Server

Once your Starbound server is up and running, you can connect to it using the game client. Launch the game client and click on “Play”. From there, click on “Join Game” and enter the IP address or domain name of your server and the port number (default is 21025).

If you have followed all the steps correctly, you should be able to successfully connect to your Starbound server and start exploring the vast universe with your friends!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I add mods to my Starbound server?

To add mods to your Starbound server, you will need to download the mods and place them in the “mods” folder in the “starbound_server” directory. You will also need to add the name of the mod to the “starbound_server.config.patch” file under the “serverModFile” setting.

2. How do I whitelist players on my Starbound server?

To whitelist players on your Starbound server, you will need to add their Steam IDs to the “allowedPlayers” setting in the “starbound_server.config.patch” file. You can find a player’s Steam ID by going to their Steam profile and looking at the URL (e.g. steamcommunity.com/profiles/XXXXXXXXX).

3. How do I ban players from my Starbound server?

To ban players from your Starbound server, you will need to add their Steam IDs to the “bannedPlayers” setting in the “starbound_server.config.patch” file. You can also add a reason for the ban under the “banReason” setting. Banned players will not be able to connect to your server.

4. How do I update my Starbound server?

To update your Starbound server, you will need to download the latest version of the Starbound server software and replace the old files with the new files in the “starbound_server” directory. Be sure to backup your configuration files before updating.

5. How do I troubleshoot issues with my Starbound server?

If you are experiencing issues with your Starbound server, you can check the server output in your terminal for any error messages. You can also check the server logs located in the “starbound_server/storage” directory for more information. If you are still having issues, you can try reaching out to the Starbound community for help.

That’s it Devs! You now have a comprehensive guide on how to host a server on Starbound. We hope that this guide was helpful and that you are now able to enjoy the full Starbound experience with your friends. Happy exploring!