project-zomboid
Dedicated multiplayer survival game server
TLDR
Start the server
SYNOPSIS
start-server.sh [options]
DESCRIPTION
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.
