Empyrion: Galactic Survival lets you build spaceships, explore planets and survive in a vast universe. With a dedicated server you play together with friends on your own terms: your universe, your rules. This guide takes you through the setup from start to finish.
System requirements
An Empyrion dedicated server needs the following specifications:
- 4 CPU cores (the game uses multiple threads)
- 8 GB RAM minimum (12 GB recommended)
- 15 GB free disk space for the base installation
- Windows or Linux (via Wine or native, depending on the version)
Memory usage depends heavily on the number of loaded planets and the size of player-built structures. Large bases and capital ships require more RAM.
Installation via SteamCMD
Install the Empyrion Dedicated Server via SteamCMD:
app_update 530870 validateThe server installs as anonymous; you do not need an Empyrion license on the Steam account. After the download, the server files are in the installation directory.
Configuration
The server configuration lives in the dedicated.yaml file. Key parameters to set:
- ServerName: the name in the server browser.
- MaxPlayers: maximum player count (default 8).
- GameName: the name of the save game.
- CustomScenario: choose a scenario. The default is "Default Multiplayer", but community scenarios are also available.
- DecayTime: how long abandoned structures remain.
- PlayerLoginParallelCount: how many players can log in simultaneously.
Ports and networking
Empyrion uses the following default ports:
- UDP 30000 for game traffic
- TCP 30001 for Telnet (RCON-style management)
Open both ports in your firewall. Telnet provides basic server management: kicking players, sending messages and stopping the server. Secure Telnet access with a password in the configuration.
Scenarios and universe
Empyrion offers multiple scenarios that determine how the universe looks. The default scenario generates a large universe with dozens of star systems and planets. Community scenarios like Reforged Eden add hundreds of new planets, enemies and blueprints and are popular on multiplayer servers.
Choose your scenario before the server generates a world for the first time. Switching afterward requires a new world. Download community scenarios from the Steam Workshop and place them in the Content/Scenarios/ folder.
Performance optimization
- Limit structure size: set a maximum block count per structure in the config. This prevents a single mega-build from slowing down the entire server.
- Limit simultaneously loaded playfields: the more planets and space areas active at once, the heavier the server load.
- Schedule restarts: a daily restart keeps memory usage manageable.
- Use NVMe storage: loading playfields is IO-intensive. NVMe storage makes it significantly faster.
Which scenario should I choose for my Empyrion server?
The default scenario is a good starting point for newcomers. It offers a balanced universe without too much complexity. Reforged Eden is the most popular community option and adds a huge amount of content, but it is also more demanding on hardware and can be overwhelming for new players. Start with the default and switch when your group is ready.
How much storage space do I need?
The base installation is about 15 GB. The save game grows as players explore and build. An active server with 10 players can have 30 to 50 GB of save data after a month. Plan for at least 50 GB total and monitor the growth. Regularly remove abandoned structures with the decay setting to limit growth.
Can I add mods to an Empyrion server?
Empyrion supports scenarios and configuration changes but does not have a traditional mod system like Minecraft. Most extensions come in the form of community scenarios and config tweaks. EAH (Empyrion Admin Helper) adds management features that the game does not include by default. The Steam Workshop contains scenarios and blueprints you can use on your server.
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