Space Engineers is a sandbox game about building ships, stations and planetary bases with realistic physics. A dedicated server keeps your creations online for your group around the clock. Due to the physics simulation, a HostValues VPS with at least 8 GB of RAM and 4 CPU cores is recommended.
Installation
- Install SteamCMD on your VPS.
- Download the server:
steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/se/server +login anonymous +app_update 298740 validate +quit - The config file is
SpaceEngineers-Dedicated.cfg(or generated on first run). Key settings includeServerName,WorldName,GroupIDfor Steam group restrictions, andServerPort(default 27016). - Open UDP port 27016 in your firewall.
- Start the server:
./DedicatedServer64/SpaceEngineersDedicated.exe(on Linux, use Proton or Wine).
PCU limits
PCU (Performance Cost Units) is how Space Engineers measures the complexity of grids. Every block has a PCU value, and the total determines how much processing power it demands. In the world settings, you can set a per-player PCU limit and a global PCU limit. A typical community server uses 80,000 to 100,000 PCU per player. Lower limits keep performance stable; higher limits let builders go wild at the cost of simulation speed.
Physics and simulation speed
The simulation speed (sim speed) should ideally stay at 1.0. It drops when the server processes too many physics interactions, such as collisions, pistons, rotors and active grids. To maintain sim speed:
- Set reasonable PCU limits per player.
- Enable trash removal to automatically delete abandoned grids and floating objects.
- Limit the maximum number of active pistons and rotors per grid.
- Keep the world size manageable by restricting how far players can travel from the origin.
Mods
Workshop mods are loaded by adding their IDs to the world configuration. The server downloads them on startup. Popular mods include WeaponCore for combat overhauls, Build Info for HUD enhancements and various block packs. Keep the mod list curated, as each mod adds load time and potential instability.
Can I run a Space Engineers server on Linux?
The dedicated server is a Windows application. On Linux, it runs through Proton or Wine. Performance is generally acceptable, though some players report occasional stability issues compared to Windows. A Windows VPS avoids these quirks entirely.
How much RAM does the server need?
A fresh world with a few players uses about 4 GB. As players build more grids and explore planets, usage climbs. For an active server with 10+ players and complex builds, 12 to 16 GB keeps things running smoothly.
What is trash removal and should I enable it?
Trash removal automatically deletes floating objects, abandoned grids and respawn pods after a set time. It is essential for long-running servers, because clutter accumulates quickly and drags down sim speed. Configure the thresholds in the world settings to avoid deleting small grids players are actively using.