Starbound How to Host a Server

Greetings, Dev! Are you a fan of Starbound and want to host your own server to play with friends and fellow fans? Look no further, as this article will guide you through the process of hosting a Starbound server step-by-step. Let’s dive in!

1. System Requirements

Before we get started, it’s important to ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements to host a Starbound server. Here are the recommended specifications:

Minimum Requirements	Recommended Requirements
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon x2	CPU: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
RAM: 2 GB	RAM: 4 GB
Storage: 1 GB	Storage: 2 GB
OS: Windows 7 or higher, 64-bit	OS: Windows 10 or higher, 64-bit

If your system meets the minimum requirements, you’re good to go!

2. Downloading and Installing SteamCMD

The first step to hosting a Starbound server is to download and install SteamCMD, which is a command-line interface for installing and updating Steam games. Here’s how:

Step 1:

Go to the official SteamCMD website (https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD) and download the appropriate version for your system.

Step 2:

Extract the SteamCMD files to a location on your computer. We recommend creating a new folder specifically for SteamCMD.

Step 3:

Open the SteamCMD command prompt by double-clicking on steamcmd.exe.

Step 4:

Enter the following command to login to your Steam account:

login [username] [password]

Replace [username] with your Steam account username and [password] with your Steam account password.

Step 5:

Enter the following command to set the installation directory for the Starbound server:

force_install_dir [directory]

Replace [directory] with the path to the folder where you want to install the server files.

Step 6:

Enter the following command to download and install the Starbound server files:

app_update 211820 validate

This may take some time, depending on your internet connection and system specifications.

3. Setting Up the Starbound Server

Now that the Starbound server files are installed, it’s time to set up the server. Here’s how:

Step 1:

Navigate to the folder where you installed the Starbound server files.

Step 2:

Open the sbinit.config file in a text editor such as Notepad.

Step 3:

Configure the server settings to your liking. Here are a few important settings:

• serverName: The name of your server.
• maxPlayers: The maximum number of players allowed on the server.
• password: Set a password to restrict access to your server.
• world: The name of the world file to be used.

Step 4:

Save and close the sbinit.config file.

4. Starting the Starbound Server

Now that the server is set up, it’s time to start the server. Here’s how:

Step 1:

Open the SteamCMD command prompt again.

Step 2:

Enter the following command to start the server:

cd [directory]./starbound_server

Replace [directory] with the path to the folder where you installed the server files.

5. FAQ

Q1. How do I connect to my own server?

A1. Open Starbound and click on “Join Game”. Enter “localhost” as the server IP and the port number assigned in your sbinit.config file.

Q2. How do I port forward for other players to join?

A2. Port forwarding varies depending on your router model and internet service provider. Check out this website (https://portforward.com/) for step-by-step instructions on how to port forward for your specific setup.

Q3. Can I host a Starbound server on a dedicated server?

A3. Yes, you can host a Starbound server on a dedicated server. Follow the same steps for installing and setting up the server, but make sure your dedicated server meets the minimum requirements and has enough resources to handle the server’s workload.

Q4. Can I use mods on my server?

A4. Yes, you can use mods on your server. Simply install the mods to the “mods” folder in the server’s installation directory, and make sure all players joining the server have the same mods installed.

Q5. How can I backup and restore my server files?

A5. To backup your server files, simply copy the entire server installation directory to a safe location on your computer or external hard drive. To restore your server files, simply paste the backup files into the original installation directory.

Congratulations, Dev! You have successfully hosted your own Starbound server. Enjoy playing with friends and building your own worlds in this fantastic game.