project-zomboid

Dedicated multiplayer survival game server

TLDR

Start the server

$ path/to/start-server.sh

Start a server with a specific name

$ path/to/start-server.sh -servername server_name

Project Zomboid dedicated server runs a headless multiplayer server for the open-world survival horror game. The start-server.sh script launches the server without a graphical interface, making it suitable for remote hosting on Linux machines or cloud instances.The server manages multiplayer sessions including player connections, world state persistence, zombie population simulation, and loot respawn cycles. Server administrators can configure sandbox settings to control difficulty, PvP rules, player limits, and mod loading through configuration files in the server data directory.The -servername option allows running multiple server instances on the same machine, each with independent world data and settings.

PARAMETERS

-servername name

Specify a custom server name

CONFIGURATION

~/Zomboid/Server/<servername>.ini

Main server configuration file controlling game settings, player limits, PvP rules, loot respawn, and network options.

~/Zomboid/Server/<servername>_SandboxVars.lua

Sandbox settings controlling zombie population, erosion speed, loot rarity, weather, and difficulty parameters.

CAVEATS

Server configuration is stored in separate config files. Requires sufficient system resources for world simulation and player connections.

HISTORY

Project Zomboid is a survival horror video game developed by The Indie Stone. The dedicated server allows multiplayer gameplay on self-hosted infrastructure.