Soulmask Server Hosting Guide
Soulmask supports dedicated servers with up to 70 concurrent players, giving communities full control over their world settings, PvP rules, and tribe dynamics. This guide covers everything you need to host a Soulmask server, from hardware requirements to daily administration.
Hardware Requirements
Soulmask is a demanding survival game with large open worlds and complex AI-driven tribe systems. Plan your hardware accordingly.
Minimum Specifications
- CPU: 4 cores at 3.0 GHz
- RAM: 16 GB (the server requires at least 11 GB free to start)
- Storage: 20 GB SSD
- Network: 100 Kbps per connected player
- OS: Windows or Linux (macOS is not supported)
RAM is the primary bottleneck. With 16 GB, you can comfortably run a single server instance. Running multiple instances on the same machine requires proportionally more memory.
Installing the Server
Soulmask distributes its dedicated server through SteamCMD using App ID 3017310.
Step 1: Install SteamCMD
Download and install SteamCMD from the official Valve developer portal. Extract it to a clean directory.
Step 2: Download Server Files
Run SteamCMD and install the Soulmask server:
./steamcmd.sh +force_install_dir /opt/soulmask-server +login anonymous +app_update 3017310 validate +quit
This downloads approximately 20 GB of server files.
Step 3: Verify Installation
Confirm that the StartServer.sh (Linux) or StartServer.bat (Windows) file exists in your installation directory.
Port Configuration
Soulmask requires two UDP ports to be forwarded through your firewall and router.
| Port | Protocol | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 8777 | UDP | Game traffic |
| 27015 | UDP | Steam query |
An optional maintenance port can be configured for remote server management using the -EchoPort parameter.
Firewall Setup on Linux
sudo ufw allow 8777/udp
sudo ufw allow 27015/udp
Server Configuration
Launch Parameters
The server is configured primarily through command-line parameters in the startup script:
./StartServer.sh -SteamServerName="My Soulmask Server" -MaxPlayers=50 -PSW="serverpassword" -adminpsw="adminpassword" -pve -Port=8777 -QueryPort=27015 -EchoPort=18888
Key Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
-SteamServerName | Display name in the server browser |
-MaxPlayers | Maximum concurrent players (up to 70) |
-PSW | Server join password |
-adminpsw | Admin/GM password |
-pve | Enable PvE mode (omit for PvP) |
-Port | Game port (default 8777) |
-QueryPort | Steam query port (default 27015) |
-EchoPort | Maintenance/RCON port |
Configuration File
Advanced settings live in the Engine.ini file:
- Windows:
WS\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\Engine.ini - Linux:
WS/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/Engine.ini
This file controls port bindings, server name, max players, PvP/PvE mode, backup intervals, and save frequency:
[URL]
Port=8777
[OnlineSubsystemSteam]
GameServerQueryPort=27015
[Dedicated.Settings]
SteamServerName=My Soulmask Server
MaxPlayers=50
pvp=False
backup=900
saving=600
The backup value sets the auto-backup interval in seconds (900 = every 15 minutes), and saving controls the world save frequency.
Server Administration
Proper Shutdown
Always shut down your Soulmask server gracefully to prevent save corruption. Press Ctrl+C in the server console to trigger a save and clean shutdown. Alternatively, issue the gm exit command from within the game while connected with admin privileges.
Admin Commands
Connect to your server and use the admin password to access GM commands. These let you manage players, adjust world settings, and handle moderation without restarting the server.
Backups
Configure the backup parameter in Engine.ini to enable automatic backups. For additional safety, set up an external backup script that copies your world save directory on a schedule. World data is stored in the WS/Saved/ directory.
Performance Tuning
Player Density
Large tribe battles and dense player clusters are the heaviest workload. If you experience server lag during peak hours, consider lowering MaxPlayers or spreading tribes across the map using gameplay rules.
Save Frequency
More frequent saves increase disk I/O. A save interval of 600 seconds (10 minutes) balances data safety against performance. Reduce this only if you have NVMe storage.
Regular Updates
Keep your server current by re-running the SteamCMD update command before each restart. Soulmask receives frequent patches during early access, and version mismatches prevent player connections.
Summary
Hosting a Soulmask dedicated server requires SteamCMD (App ID 3017310), at least 16 GB of RAM, and two forwarded UDP ports (8777 and 27015). Configure your server through launch parameters and Engine.ini, always shut down gracefully, and keep your files updated. A dedicated server gives your community a persistent world that stays online around the clock.