Space Engineers is a sandbox game about building ships, stations and planetary bases with realistic physics. A dedicated server lets your engineering group collaborate on massive projects around the clock.
Requirements
- RAM: 6 to 10 GB. Large grids (ships, stations) use significant memory.
- CPU: 4 cores recommended. Physics simulation for large grids is CPU-heavy.
- Storage: 10 to 20 GB depending on world complexity.
- Port: 27016 UDP (default).
Installation
- Select Space Engineers in the game panel, or install via SteamCMD (app ID 298740) on a VPS.
- Configure
SpaceEngineers-Dedicated.cfg(XML format) with server name, world settings and admin Steam IDs. - Start the server. First boot loads the world scenario.
World settings
- Scenario: Star System (planets), Empty World (space only), or a custom scenario.
- Inventory Size Multiplier: 1x (realistic) to 10x (casual). Most servers use 3x to 5x.
- Assembler/Refinery Speed: 1x to 10x. Higher means faster production.
- Welding/Grinding Speed: 1x to 5x. Higher for faster construction.
- Block Limits: PCU (Performance Cost Units) per player or faction. Critical for server performance.
PCU limits
Every block has a PCU cost. Complex blocks (thrusters, weapons, programmable blocks) cost more. Setting PCU limits prevents individual players from building grids so large they crash the server.
- Small server (4 to 8 players): 100,000 to 200,000 PCU per player.
- Medium server (8 to 16 players): 50,000 to 100,000 PCU per player.
- Large server (16+ players): 25,000 to 50,000 PCU per player.
Mods
Space Engineers uses Steam Workshop mods. Add Workshop IDs to the server configuration file. The server downloads mods automatically. Players receive mods when connecting.
Popular mods: WeaponCore, Defense Shields, Build Info, Aerodynamic Physics.
Why is my server sim speed dropping?
Sim speed drops below 1.0 when the server cannot keep up with physics calculations. The main causes: too many grids, unanchored floating objects, complex piston/rotor setups, and script-heavy programmable blocks. Set PCU limits and clean up abandoned grids regularly.
Can I run planets and space together?
Yes. The "Star System" scenario includes multiple planets and moons. However, planets increase RAM usage by 2 to 4 GB. A space-only server runs lighter.
Space Engineers servers run on KVM VPS plans at HostValues. We recommend 8+ GB RAM for planet scenarios.
