Project Zomboid – How to Host a Server for Friends

Hi Dev! Welcome to this guide on how to host a Project Zomboid server for your friends. Project Zomboid is an open-world survival game that lets players scavenge for food, medicine, and weapons while fighting off zombie hordes. Hosting a server for your friends is a great way to enjoy the game together, and this guide will teach you how to get started.

What is Project Zomboid?

Project Zomboid is a survival game that was first released in 2011. The game is set in an open-world environment and features zombies as the main enemy. Players must scavenge for food, medicine, and weapons while fighting off zombie hordes. The game is known for its intense difficulty and realistic survival mechanics.

If you haven’t played Project Zomboid before, it’s worth checking out. The game is available on Steam and is regularly updated with new content.

Why Host a Server?

Hosting a server for your friends is a great way to enjoy Project Zomboid together. With a server, you can play together and explore the game’s world without having to worry about other players. You can also customize the game to your liking, adding mods and adjusting settings to create a unique experience.

Hosting a server is also a great way to ensure that everyone can play together. If you’re playing with friends from different parts of the world, it can be difficult to find a server that everyone can play on. By hosting your own server, you can ensure that everyone can connect and play together.

Setting Up a Server

Setting up a Project Zomboid server is relatively straightforward. You’ll need to have a computer that meets the game’s system requirements and a stable internet connection. You’ll also need to download the server files from the official website.

Step 1: Download the Server Files

The first step in setting up a server is to download the server files from the official Project Zomboid website. You can find the download link on the main page of the website. The server files are available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Step 2: Install the Server Files

Once you’ve downloaded the server files, you’ll need to install them on your computer. The installation process is relatively straightforward and will vary depending on your operating system. Follow the instructions provided on the website to install the server files.

Step 3: Configure the Server

After you’ve installed the server files, you’ll need to configure the server settings to your liking. The server configuration file can be found in the same directory as the server files. You can open the file in any text editor.

Setting
Description
Default Value
MaxPlayers
The maximum number of players that can connect to the server.
8
Map
The name of the map that the server will use.
muldraugh
Public
Whether or not the server will be shown in the public server list.
true
Passworded
Whether or not the server will be password protected.
false
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These are just a few of the settings that you can adjust in the server configuration file. You can find a complete list of settings on the official wiki.

Step 4: Port Forwarding

In order for your friends to connect to the server, you’ll need to set up port forwarding on your router. Port forwarding allows traffic to be directed to your computer from the internet. Each router is different, so you’ll need to consult your router’s documentation to learn how to set up port forwarding.

Connecting to the Server

Once you’ve set up your server and configured it to your liking, your friends can connect to it by entering your IP address into the “Connect to IP” field on the main menu of the game. They can also find your server in the public server list if you’ve enabled that option in the server configuration file.

FAQ

How many players can join my server?

The default maximum number of players is 8, but you can adjust this in the server configuration file.

Can I use mods on my server?

Yes, you can use mods on your server. Simply install the mods on your computer and they will be applied to the server when it’s started up.

Can I adjust the difficulty of the game on my server?

Yes, you can adjust the difficulty of the game by adjusting the settings in the server configuration file.

Do I need a powerful computer to host a server?

No, you don’t need a powerful computer to host a server. The game’s system requirements are relatively low, so most computers should be able to handle hosting a server.

That’s it, Dev! You’re now ready to host your own Project Zomboid server for your friends. Have fun and stay alive!