Soulmask: How to create a dedicated server

Soulmask has a simple premise: build and manage tribes. While this seems to be an easy task to do, there are still elements that you must put effort into so your tribe can survive. You can automate many things, making your tribe self-sufficient and focusing on important aspects yourself. But your tribe will essentially go offline once you quit the game. This can be solved by creating a dedicated Soulmask server.

What is a dedicated server in Soulmask?

There are three ways for you to play Soulmask.

• Solo: This is when you play alone, build the world, and everything stops running when you leave

• Multiplayer: This is when a player hosts a session with friends, and it meets the same fate as solo mode when the host leaves 

• Dedicated servers: This is when you host the game independently, and the world continues even after players leave 

If you purchased Soulmask from LootBar or a similar marketplace, you can try playing using each way to see which you find best.

Why use a Soulmask dedicated server

There are several benefits of using a dedicated Soulmask server.

• Your world remains online 24/7

• The game doesn’t depend on any one player remaining online

• Your tribesmen remain active even when you are away 

• The world becomes self-sufficient

• Other players can continue joining, even when you aren’t online 

• Your bases and resources become automated when you’re offline, rather than the world stopping

These are important elements, as Soulmask requires you to:

• Build tribes

• Continue expanding 

• Collect resources 

• Manage tribesmen

A dedicated server will make these tasks seamless and continue in the background without your presence being required.

Requirements to run a dedicated Soulmask server

Before you can start setting up your server, you need to ensure your hardware is up to the mark.

The minimum requirements are the least you can use to run a Soulmask server. Your server will run all NPC AI systems, map, world simulation, and other players, which puts a load on your hardware. Even the recommended specifications will increase as the load on the server increases. More players will need more RAM, as they will use substantial memory.

How to create a dedicated server in Soulmask

Creating a Soulmask server is straightforward but requires you to complete multiple steps.

Create a server folder and download files 

The first thing you need to do is create a folder and download the server files.

• Make a folder, such as “C:\SoulmaskServer”

• Download SteamCMD from the official Valve developer wiki

• Extract SteamCMD into the Soulmask server folder

• Make a batch file named "UpdateSoulmask.bat" by utilizing steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir C:\SoulmaskServer +app_update 3017310 validate +quit

• Do a right-click on the batch file and choose Run as Administrator

• When the downloading is done, the server files will be put in the folder 

Launch the server

Once the files are downloaded, you must follow this step to launch the server.

• Create a second batch file called “StartServer.bat” with the command WSServer-Win64-Shipping.exe Level01_Main -server -log -UTF8Output -forcepassthrough -MULTIHOME=0.0.0.0 -Port=8777 -QueryPort=27015 -EchoPort=18888 -SteamServerName="My Soulmask Server" -MaxPlayers=60 -PSW="joinpassword" -adminpsw="adminpassword" -pve -saving=300 -backup=900 -online=Steam

• Replace the passwords and server name with your own

• If you don’t want to keep a password, remove the -PSW parameter 

• You can also change the -saving and -backup parameters, which are set to 5 minutes and 15 minutes, respectively 

How to configure port forwarding 

This is a crucial step, and something many players face issues with.

You must forward all four ports on your router and allow inbound traffic. 27015 UDP must be allowed, or your server won’t be found in the Steam server browser. Also, make sure you restrict the remote console to local access only, or anyone can gain admin access to your server console.

What is GameXishu.json?

GameXishu.json is a file that allows you to customize Soulmask extensively. The file is stored in the WS\Saved\GameplaySettings\GameXishu.json. But it only appears after the server’s first run. So, you need to run the server, start it fully, and shut it down properly before you can edit it.

Here are some of the elements you can customize using the file:

• Progression

• Crafting

• Survival

• Combat

How to run, join, and close your Soulmask server

Once you have successfully installed your Soulmask dedicated server, you need to understand how to start it, how to join one, and shut down the server properly. This will save you headaches and prevent glitches.

How to start the server 

To run the server:

• Go to your server folder

• Double-click StartServer.bat

• Wait for the console window to load

How to join the server

Once a server is running, players can use the following steps to join:

• Open Steam

• Go to View

• Click Game Servers

• Search the server’s name

How to close the server

It’s important to close the server properly, or you may lose progress or face file corruption.

When you want to shut down the server:

• Open the server console window

• Press Ctrl + C

• Wait as the server shuts down

Conclusion

If you want to set up a dedicated Soulmask server, it is quite easy and you can do it yourself by following the instructions step by step. By doing this, your game will keep running even when you are not playing and therefore, your tribe and world will have the opportunity to grow. Furthermore, your partner players will not be deprived of game interaction during your offline mode, which is one of the characteristics of a real multiplayer game. If you haven't played Soulmask before, you can obtain a Steam key from LootBar to create a private server.