Space Engineers is a sandbox game where you build spaceships and stations in a fully destructible voxel world. On your own dedicated server you build megastructures together with friends, without the host needing to be online.
Requirements
Space Engineers is demanding on both CPU and RAM. For 4 to 8 players you need at least 4 vCPU cores and 8 GB RAM. With larger builds and more players RAM usage grows considerably, making 16 GB a wise choice. Use a KVM VPS with fast storage for the best experience. The server only runs on Windows or via Proton/Wine on Linux.
Installation
- Install SteamCMD on your Windows VPS.
- Download the server:
steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\SpaceEngineers +login anonymous +app_update 298740 validate +quit - Open
SpaceEngineers-Dedicated.cfgand adjust the server name, password and world. - Start the server via
SpaceEngineersDedicated.exe -console.
PCU limits
PCU (Performance Cost Units) is the system Space Engineers uses to measure the load of constructions. Each block has a PCU value and the server tracks the total per player and globally. In the server settings you configure:
- TotalPCU: the total PCU budget for the entire server.
- BlockLimitsEnabled: enables or disables PCU limits.
- MaxGridSize: the maximum number of blocks per construction.
Set these values based on your VPS capacity. Limits that are too high lead to low sim speed when the physics engine cannot keep up.
Physics optimisation
The physics engine is the biggest source of server load. Some tips to improve performance:
- Limit the number of loose objects (floating debris) via
FloatingObjectsandMaxFloatingObjects. - Disable or limit scripts that run every tick using the
MaxBlocksPerPlayersetting for Programmable Blocks. - Use a cleanup script or plugin to periodically remove abandoned grids.
Worlds and scenarios
The server starts with an empty Star System world by default. You can also upload an existing singleplayer world by copying the save folder to the server's Saves folder and pointing to it in the configuration.
Frequently asked questions
What is sim speed and why does it drop?
Sim speed is the ratio between physics calculations and real time. A value of 1.0 is ideal. When it drops below 0.8 the game feels sluggish. This is usually caused by too many blocks, active physics (collisions) or heavy scripts. Lower the PCU limits and clean up unused grids.
Can I use mods on the server?
Yes, add the Workshop IDs of mods to the world's configuration file. The server downloads them automatically on startup and players receive them when connecting. Keep in mind that each mod adds additional load.
Does Space Engineers run on a Linux VPS?
The dedicated server is officially available for Windows only. Running it on Linux via Proton or Wine is sometimes possible, but may cause stability issues. For a reliable server we recommend a Windows VPS.