Necesse Server on VPS: Setup Guide for Co-op & Mods

For comfortable Necesse gameplay with friends and mod support on a VPS, 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, and a 40 GB NVMe disk are sufficient, ensuring smooth co-op and flexible server setup with autostart via systemd.

Necesse is an engaging 2D sandbox game with RPG and survival elements that has captured players' hearts with its deep gameplay, building mechanics, and, of course, cooperative mode. Playing with friends is always more fun, and while Necesse offers the option to create a local server, a truly stable, 24/7 accessible, and fully customizable experience is only achieved with your own `necesse dedicated server` on a VPS. This allows you to be independent of the host, experiment with mods (`necesse server mods`), and ensure maximum performance for your team.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover all aspects of installing and configuring a Necesse server on a Linux VPS: from choosing the optimal configuration and step-by-step installation to fine-tuning your world, managing mods, and automating startup with systemd. You'll learn how to migrate your single-player world to the server and how to secure it with backups.

Why a Necesse VPS is Your Best Choice for Co-op Gaming

Playing Necesse with friends brings a lot of enjoyment, but the limitations of built-in hosting quickly become apparent. Your own server on a VPS eliminates these problems, providing you with full control and stability. This allows you to create your `necesse server setup` that runs by your rules.

Benefits of Hosting Your Own Necesse Server on a VPS

• 24/7 Availability: Your Necesse server will run continuously, regardless of whether your home computer is on. Friends can join anytime.
• Stability and Performance: VPS servers are hosted in professional data centers with high-speed internet and stable power. This guarantees minimal latency and no lag, even with many players and complex mods.
• Full Control Over Settings: You get complete access to server files, allowing you to customize the world, game rules, passwords, and player limits (`necesse server config`) according to your preferences.
• Mod Support: Installing mods on your Necesse server becomes a straightforward task, unlocking new gameplay possibilities and customization. You'll easily manage your mod collection.
• Security: VPS providers typically offer basic DDoS protection, making your server more resilient to external threats.

VPS vs. Home PC: Stability and Security for Your Necesse Server

Hosting a Necesse server on your home computer, while seemingly simple, comes with several challenges. First, your PC must be constantly on, consuming power and increasing wear. Second, your home internet connection speed and ISP stability might be insufficient for comfortable gameplay with multiple people. Finally, opening ports on your home router can create potential security risks for your home network. A VPS, on the other hand, offers an isolated environment, guaranteed bandwidth, and professional infrastructure.

If you want to understand the differences between Cloud VPS and Cloud Server more deeply and choose the optimal solution for your needs, check out our overview of terminology and pricing: Cloud VPS vs Cloud Server: Terminology and Pricing 2026.

Minimum VPS Requirements for Necesse: How Many Resources Do You Need?

Necesse, unlike some other sandbox games, is not an excessively resource-intensive game. However, for comfortable gameplay with friends and the use of mods, it's important to choose the right VPS configuration. The main factors affecting the load are the number of concurrent players and the complexity of installed mods.

For 10-20 concurrent players, Necesse requires 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, and a 40 GB NVMe disk.

Players	vCPU	RAM	Disk	Bandwidth	Price (approx., April 2024)
1-5	1	2 GB	20 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	from $5/month
6-15	2	4 GB	40 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	from $10/month
16-30	4	6 GB	60 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	from $15/month
30+ (with mods)	4-6	8 GB	80 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	from $20/month

Impact of Mods and Player Count on Server Load

• Player Count: Each new player increases CPU consumption and network traffic. The server has to process more data about movements, actions, and inventory.
• Mods: Modifications can significantly increase RAM and CPU requirements. Complex mods that add new mechanics, objects, or world generation will consume more resources. Always consider this when planning.
• Disk Type: NVMe disks provide significantly higher read/write speeds compared to traditional SSDs or HDDs, which is critical for fast world loading and saving progress. Valebyte.com offers VPS with NVMe disks, ensuring excellent performance.
• Network: A stable and fast connection is crucial for a game server. A 1 Gbps port is standard and more than sufficient for Necesse.

While a VPS is sufficient for Necesse in most cases, other, more demanding games or very large communities might require a dedicated server. Reviews of such solutions, like Namecheap Dedicated Server, can help you understand their features.

Installing Necesse Dedicated Server on a Linux VPS: A Step-by-Step Guide

The process of installing `necesse dedicated server` on a Linux VPS is quite straightforward and involves several key steps. We will use Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS, one of the most popular and stable operating systems for servers.

VPS Preparation: OS, Java, and Dependencies

1. Connect to your VPS via SSH:

ssh user@your_vps_ip

2. Update your system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

3. Install Java Development Kit (JDK) 17: Necesse requires Java 17. We will use OpenJDK.

sudo apt install openjdk-17-jre-headless screen wget -y

screen allows you to run the server in the background and disconnect from your SSH session, while wget is needed for downloading files.

4. Configure the firewall (UFW): Open port 14100/tcp, which Necesse uses by default.

sudo ufw allow 14100/tcp
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status

Ensure UFW status is "active" and port 14100 is allowed.

5. Create a dedicated user for the Necesse server (recommended): This enhances security.

sudo adduser necesse
sudo usermod -aG sudo necesse # Add to sudo group if admin privileges are needed for the user
su - necesse # Switch to the new user

All subsequent actions will be performed as the necesse user.

Downloading and First Launch of the Necesse Server

1. Navigate to the necesse user's home directory:

cd ~

2. Download Necesse server files: You can find the current link on the official Necesse website or their Steam page. Example link (may change):

wget https://cdn.playnecesse.com/NecesseServer.zip

3. Unpack the archive:

sudo apt install unzip -y # If unzip is not yet installed
unzip NecesseServer.zip -d necesse_server
cd necesse_server

4. First server launch: Start the server in a screen session.

screen -S necesse_server
java -Xmx2G -Xms1G -jar NecesseServer.jar

The -Xmx2G -Xms1G parameters allocate 2 GB maximum and 1 GB initial RAM to the server. Adjust these values according to your VPS configuration and player count.

On the first launch, the server will prompt you to create a new world or load an existing one, and set basic parameters such as server name, password, and maximum player count. Follow the on-screen instructions.

To exit the screen session without stopping the server, press Ctrl+A, then D. To reattach to the session, use screen -r necesse_server.

For a more detailed dive into the basic steps of installing and configuring a Necesse server on a VPS/dedicated server, we recommend checking out our comprehensive article: Your Own Necesse Server: Setup and Configuration on VPS/Dedicated.

The principles of installing game servers on Linux, such as using screen and systemd, also apply to other popular games, for example, Source Dedicated Server (SRCDS) for TF2, CS:S, and GMod.

Necesse Server Configuration: World, Password, Limits

After the first launch, Necesse creates the necessary configuration files. These files allow you to fine-tune your `necesse server config`, including world parameters, access, and game limits.

Configuration Files: server.cfg, world.cfg

The Necesse server stores its configuration files in a directory, which by default is located at ~/.necesse/servers/ (for the user running the server) or in the directory you specified during the first launch. Inside this directory, a subdirectory is created for each server with the following files:

• server.cfg: The main server configuration file.
• world.cfg: The configuration file for a specific world.

Example server.cfg:

# Your server name, displayed in the list
servername=Мой Valebyte Necesse Сервер

# The port the server runs on (must be open in the firewall)
port=14100

# Password for connecting to the server (leave empty for a public server)
password=мой_секретный_пароль

# Maximum number of players
maxplayers=10

# Message of the day, displayed upon connection
motd=Добро пожаловать на сервер Necesse от Valebyte!

# Automatic world save every X seconds (default 600)
saveinterval=600

# Enable/disable PvP (true/false)
pvp=false

# Enable/disable friendly fire (true/false)
friendlyfire=false

# Allow players to create new worlds via the server console (true/false)
allowcreatenewworld=false

# Allow players to load worlds via the server console (true/false)
allowloadworld=false

# Allow players to delete worlds via the server console (true/false)
allowdeleteworld=false

# Default world difficulty (NORMAL, HARD, HARDCORE)
defaultdifficulty=NORMAL

# Default world size (SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE)
defaultworldsize=MEDIUM

# Default world seed (leave empty for random)
defaultworldseed=

# Allow players to install their own mods (true/false)
allowclientmods=true

# Enable server auto-update (true/false)
autoupdate=false

Example world.cfg:

This file is generated when a world is created and contains parameters specific to that save. Typically, you don't need to edit it manually unless you want to change something like the Seed or Difficulty after the world has already been created.

# World name
worldname=МойПервыйМир

# World seed
seed=123456789

# Difficulty level (NORMAL, HARD, HARDCORE)
difficulty=NORMAL

# World size (SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE)
worldsize=MEDIUM

# Last save time
lastsave=1678886400000

# Other world parameters, such as generation, versions, etc.

Important Settings for Private and Public Servers

• Server Password (password): For a private server, be sure to set a password. Leave it empty if you want the server to be public.
• Maximum Players (maxplayers): Adjust this value according to your VPS configuration and desired number of participants. Do not set too high a value if you have limited resources.
• Server Name (servername): Choose a unique and memorable name so friends can easily find your server in the list.
• PvP and Friendly Fire (pvp, friendlyfire): Decide if you want to allow players to fight each other.
• Automatic Saving (saveinterval): Ensure the server regularly saves progress to avoid data loss in case of crashes. 600 seconds (10 minutes) is a good default value.

After any changes to server.cfg or world.cfg, you must restart the Necesse server for the changes to take effect.

Necesse Server Mods: Installation and Synchronization

Mods significantly expand Necesse's capabilities, adding new content, mechanics, and improvements. Installing `necesse server mods` requires attention to detail, especially regarding synchronization with clients.

How to Install Mods on Your Necesse Server

Installing mods on a Necesse server is relatively simple:

1. Find mods: Most Necesse mods can be found on Nexus Mods. Ensure the chosen mod is compatible with your current game and server version.
2. Download mod files: Mods are usually .jar files. Download them to your VPS. For example, using wget if you have a direct link.
3. Create a mod directory: If it doesn't exist, create a mods folder in your Necesse server directory (e.g., ~/.necesse/mods/).

mkdir -p ~/.necesse/mods

4. Move mod files: Copy all downloaded .jar mod files into this directory.

mv /path/to/downloaded/mod.jar ~/.necesse/mods/

5. Restart the server: After adding or removing mods, the Necesse server must be restarted for them to load.

Mod Synchronization with Clients and Compatibility Issues

This is the most important aspect of working with mods on a Necesse server:

• Full Synchronization: All players connecting to your server must have the exact same mods (and their versions) as those installed on the server. If a client is missing a mod that is on the server, or vice versa, they will not be able to connect.
• Client-side Mod Management: Players must manually install mods into their client directory ~/.necesse/mods/ (or %APPDATA%\Necesse\mods on Windows).
• Issues with Game Updates: When the Necesse game updates, old mods may stop working due to changes in the game's API. Always check mod compatibility with the new game version before updating the server. Ideally, wait until mod developers release updated versions.
• Recommendations:
  • Create a list of mods with their versions and share it with players.
  • Use the same source for downloading mods (e.g., Nexus Mods) to avoid different versions.
  • Before major game updates, back up your world and mods.

Autostarting Necesse Server with systemd: Reliability and Convenience

Running the Necesse server via screen is convenient for manual management, but for stable 24/7 operation and automatic restarts after crashes or VPS reboots, it's better to use systemd — the initialization system and service manager in Linux.

Creating a systemd Unit for Necesse

1. Create the systemd unit file: Open a text editor with superuser privileges.

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/necesse.service

2. Insert the following content: Ensure that the paths and username match your installation.

[Unit]
Description=Necesse Dedicated Server
After=network.target

[Service]
User=necesse
WorkingDirectory=/home/necesse/necesse_server
ExecStart=/usr/bin/java -Xmx4G -Xms2G -jar NecesseServer.jar
Restart=always
RestartSec=5
StandardOutput=journal
StandardError=journal

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Explanations:

• User=necesse: The server will be run as the necesse user.
• WorkingDirectory=/home/necesse/necesse_server: The server's working directory.
• ExecStart=/usr/bin/java -Xmx4G -Xms2G -jar NecesseServer.jar: The command to start the server. Adjust -Xmx and -Xms parameters according to the allocated RAM.
• Restart=always: The server will automatically restart upon crashes.
• RestartSec=5: A 5-second pause before restarting.
• StandardOutput=journal, StandardError=journal: Server output will be directed to the systemd journal.
3. Save the file and close the editor (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X).

Managing the Necesse Service: Start, Stop, Restart

After creating the unit file, you need to inform systemd about its existence and manage it:

1. Reload systemd to recognize the new unit:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload

2. Start the Necesse service:

sudo systemctl start necesse

3. Enable the service to start automatically on VPS boot:

sudo systemctl enable necesse

4. Check the service status:

sudo systemctl status necesse

You should see "active (running)".

5. Stop the service:

sudo systemctl stop necesse

6. Restart the service (e.g., after changing configs or mods):

sudo systemctl restart necesse

7. View server logs:

sudo journalctl -u necesse -f

This command will show the latest service logs in real-time. Press Ctrl+C to exit.

Necesse World Backup and Restoration

Regularly backing up your Necesse world is a critically important practice. This will protect you from losing progress in case of crashes, file corruption, or unforeseen mod issues.

Manual World File Backup

Necesse world files are stored in the ~/.necesse/saves/ directory (relative to the home directory of the user running the server).

1. Stop the server: Always stop the server before copying to avoid file corruption.

sudo systemctl stop necesse

2. Navigate to the saves directory:

cd ~/.necesse/saves/

3. Create a world archive:

tar -czvf /path/to/backup/necesse_world_$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S).tar.gz MyWorldName/

Replace /path/to/backup/ with the path where you want to store backups (preferably on a different disk or cloud storage), and MyWorldName/ with the name of your world folder.

4. Start the server back up:

sudo systemctl start necesse

Automating Backups with cron and Scripts

For regular automatic backups, you can use cron and a simple bash script.

1. Create a backup script:

nano /home/necesse/backup_necesse.sh

Insert the following content:

#!/bin/bash

# Path to the Necesse saves directory
NECESSE_SAVES_DIR="/home/necesse/.necesse/saves"
# Path to the directory where backups will be stored
BACKUP_DIR="/home/necesse/necesse_backups"
# World name for backup (if you want to back up a specific world, otherwise leave empty for all worlds)
WORLD_NAME="MyWorldName" # Leave empty ("") to back up all worlds

# Create the backup directory if it doesn't exist
mkdir -p "$BACKUP_DIR"

# Stop the Necesse server
echo "Stopping Necesse server..."
sudo systemctl stop necesse

# Wait for the server to fully stop (add sleep if needed)
sleep 10

# Create the backup
TIMESTAMP=$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S)
if [ -z "$WORLD_NAME" ]; then
    # Backup all worlds
    echo "Backing up all Necesse worlds..."
    tar -czvf "$BACKUP_DIR/necesse_all_worlds_$TIMESTAMP.tar.gz" -C "$NECESSE_SAVES_DIR" .
else
    # Backup a specific world
    echo "Backing up Necesse world: $WORLD_NAME..."
    tar -czvf "$BACKUP_DIR/necesse_world_${WORLD_NAME}_$TIMESTAMP.tar.gz" -C "$NECESSE_SAVES_DIR" "$WORLD_NAME"
fi

# Start the Necesse server
echo "Starting Necesse server..."
sudo systemctl start necesse

# Remove old backups (e.g., older than 7 days)
echo "Removing old backups..."
find "$BACKUP_DIR" -type f -name "necesse_*.tar.gz" -mtime +7 -delete

echo "Backup process finished."

Make the script executable:

chmod +x /home/necesse/backup_necesse.sh

2. Configure cron to run the script: Open crontab for the necesse user.

crontab -e

Add a line for daily backup, for example, at 3 AM:

0 3 * * * /home/necesse/backup_necesse.sh > /home/necesse/backup_necesse.log 2>&1

This line will run the script every day at 03:00 and write the output to the log file backup_necesse.log.

Migrating a Single-Player World to Your Necesse Dedicated Server

Do you want to continue your adventures in your single-player Necesse world, but now with friends on a dedicated server? It's easy to do!

Exporting Your World from the Client Game

1. Locate your save files:
   • Windows: Open File Explorer, type %APPDATA%\Necesse\saves, and press Enter.
   • Linux: ~/.necesse/saves/
   • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Necesse/saves/
2. Copy the world folder: Inside the saves directory, you'll see folders named after your worlds. Copy the desired world folder to your local computer (e.g., to your desktop), then upload it to your VPS using SCP, SFTP (e.g., via WinSCP or FileZilla), or any other convenient method.

Uploading the World to Your Server and Launching It

1. Stop the Necesse server:

sudo systemctl stop necesse

2. Move the world folder to your VPS: Upload the world folder (e.g., MyOldWorld) to the ~/.necesse/saves/ directory on your VPS.

mv /path/to/uploaded/MyOldWorld /home/necesse/.necesse/saves/

3. Configure the server to use the new world:
   • Ensure there are no specific settings in server.cfg that would prevent this world from loading.
   • If you want the server to automatically load this world, ensure the world folder name matches the defaultworldname parameter (if used) or simply select the "Load World" option and specify the name of your migrated world during the first server launch after migration.
   • If you are using systemd, the server will prompt you to select a world upon startup if it's not explicitly specified.
4. Start the server:

sudo systemctl start necesse

Your old world is now available for playing with friends on your dedicated server.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much RAM is needed for a Necesse server with 10 players?

For comfortable gameplay with 10 players on a Necesse server without many complex mods, a minimum of 4 GB RAM is recommended. This will ensure stable performance and prevent lag, even when all players are actively exploring and interacting with the world. If resource-intensive mods are planned, it's better to consider 6 GB RAM.

Can I use mods on a Necesse server?

Yes, the Necesse server fully supports mods. To install them, you need to upload the mod files (usually in .jar format) to the ~/.necesse/mods/ directory on the server and restart it. It's crucial that all players connecting to the server have the exact same mods and their versions; otherwise, they won't be able to join the game.

How do I protect my Necesse server with a password?

To protect your Necesse server with a password, you need to edit the server.cfg file. Find the parameter password= and enter your desired password after the equals sign, for example, password=мой_секретный_пароль. After saving the file and restarting the server, all players will need to enter this password when connecting.

What should I do if the Necesse server doesn't start?

If the Necesse server doesn't start, check several things: ensure the correct Java version is installed (Necesse requires Java 17), check server logs with the command sudo journalctl -u necesse -f for the systemd service, and verify that port 14100/tcp is open in the VPS firewall (e.g., using sudo ufw status). Also, check the correctness of the path to NecesseServer.jar in your systemd unit.

Which operating system is best for a Necesse server?

For a Necesse server on a VPS, Linux is the optimal choice, particularly Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS. These operating systems are known for their stability, low resource consumption, and strong community support. They are ideal for deploying game servers due to their performance and security.

Conclusion

Deploying your own Necesse server on a VPS from Valebyte.com is the optimal solution for stable and customizable cooperative gameplay with friends, as well as for experimenting with mods. By following this comprehensive guide, you can easily install, configure, and automate the launch of your `necesse dedicated server`, ensuring uninterrupted operation and full control over the game experience. Choose a suitable VPS plan with NVMe disks from Valebyte.com to get maximum performance and reliability for your Necesse world.