Soulmask is a survival game where you wear a mysterious mask and build a tribe in a dangerous open world. The game combines survival, base building and NPC management. A dedicated server lets you play with friends without anyone needing to be the host. This guide covers installation and configuration from start to finish.
Minimum requirements
A Soulmask dedicated server needs the following minimum specifications:
- 4 CPU cores
- 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended for more than 20 players)
- 20 GB free disk space
- Windows or Linux
- A stable internet connection
The server is fairly memory-intensive due to the open world and the NPC system. Each player can have multiple NPC followers, all of which are simulated by the server.
Installation via SteamCMD
Download and install SteamCMD. Log in as anonymous (no license required) and install the server:
app_update 3017310 validateThe download is roughly 15 GB. After installation, the server files are in your specified install directory.
Starting and configuring the server
Start the server using the included startup script. On first launch, the configuration files are created automatically. The main parameters can be passed as command-line arguments:
- -MaxPlayers: maximum player count (default 40).
- -SteamServerName: the name shown in the server browser.
- -Port: game port (default 7777).
- -QueryPort: query port for the server list (default 27015).
- -adminpassword: password for in-game admin commands.
Open the specified ports (both UDP and TCP) in your firewall. Without correct port forwarding your server will not appear in the server list and players cannot connect.
Advanced settings
In the server configuration files you can adjust various gameplay aspects:
- Day/night cycle: how fast time passes.
- Harvest rate: how quickly players gather resources.
- NPC difficulty: the strength of hostile NPCs and tribes.
- PvP or PvE: enable or disable player-versus-player combat.
- Building decay time: how long abandoned buildings remain before they disappear.
Adjust these to suit your player group. A small friend group typically wants higher harvest rates and PvP disabled, while a public server benefits from default values and clear rules.
Backups and maintenance
The server saves the world periodically. Create your own backups by copying the save folder as well. In case of a crash or corruption you can fall back to an earlier state. Schedule backups at least daily and keep multiple versions.
Soulmask is still in development (Early Access), which means updates arrive frequently. After a game update you must also update the server files via SteamCMD with the same command used for installation. Always back up before an update, because saves are sometimes incompatible with new versions.
How much RAM does a Soulmask server need?
For a server with 10 players, 8 GB RAM is sufficient. At 20 to 40 players, 16 GB is recommended, especially because each player can have NPC followers that are simulated by the server. Memory usage also grows as more buildings exist in the world.
Does Soulmask support crossplay between Steam and other platforms?
Currently Soulmask does not support crossplay. The dedicated server is only available for the Steam version. If the developer adds crossplay in the future, the server configuration will likely gain an extra option to enable it.
Can I run the server on Linux?
Yes, Soulmask offers a Linux version of the dedicated server. Installation via SteamCMD is identical to Windows. On Linux the server typically uses slightly less memory. Use screen or tmux to keep the server running in the background after closing your SSH session.
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