Soulmask Dedicated Server: Setup, Ports, and Hardware Specs

To run your own Soulmask server for 10 players, you'll need a VPS with at least 4 GB RAM, 2 vCPU, and a 40 GB NVMe disk, and installation is performed via SteamCMD using the command steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 3064500 validate +quit. This setup will ensure stable performance and a comfortable gaming experience for your team in the world of Soulmask.

What is a Soulmask Dedicated Server and Why Host One?

Soulmask is a new open-world survival game rapidly gaining popularity thanks to its deep crafting, building, and exploration systems. Like many similar projects, players need a reliable and powerful server to enjoy the game with friends or build their own community. A Soulmask dedicated server provides complete control over the gameplay, allowing you to customize world rules, PvP modes, difficulty, and much more, which is not possible when playing via P2P connections or on public servers.

Benefits of Hosting Your Own Soulmask Server

• Full Control: You define the game rules, PvP/PvE settings, resource gathering rates, experience gain, and other parameters.
• Stability and Performance: Eliminating reliance on one player's host and the ability to choose powerful Valebyte hardware ensures minimal latency and no crashes.
• 24/7 Availability: Your self-hosted Soulmask server runs continuously, allowing players to connect anytime, even if the administrator is offline.
• Backup Capabilities: The option to configure automatic progress saves and quick recovery in case of unforeseen circumstances.
• Mod Support: In the future, when modifications become available, your own server will allow you to install and experiment with them.

Soulmask Server: Hardware Requirements and Location Selection

Choosing the right hardware is a critical aspect for ensuring stable Soulmask server operation. Underestimating the requirements can lead to lag, crashes, and a poor experience for players. It's important to consider not only the number of players but also their activity, map size, and overall server load. For most game servers, including Soulmask, CPU performance, RAM capacity, and disk subsystem speed are crucial.

Minimum and Recommended System Requirements for Soulmask Server

Soulmask, being an Unreal Engine game, is quite resource-intensive. The server is particularly sensitive to RAM and CPU performance, as it has to process numerous game objects, player actions, and world physics. Below is a table with hardware recommendations for different scales of gaming communities. It's worth noting that these figures are approximate and may change with game updates.

For 50 concurrent players, 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, and an 80 GB NVMe disk are sufficient.

Players	vCPU	RAM	Disk	Bandwidth	Price (approx., Valebyte, May 2024)
1-5 (friends)	2 (3.0+ GHz)	4 GB	40 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	$10-15/mo
5-10 (small community)	2-4 (3.5+ GHz)	6-8 GB	60 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	$15-25/mo
10-20 (medium community)	4 (3.5+ GHz)	8-12 GB	80 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	$25-40/mo
20-30 (active community)	4-6 (3.8+ GHz)	12-16 GB	120 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	$40-60/mo
30-50 (large community)	6-8 (4.0+ GHz)	16-32 GB	200 GB NVMe	1 Gbps	$60-100+/mo

As the table shows, Soulmask server requirements scale proportionally with the number of players. We recommend using NVMe SSDs, as world loading and data processing speeds are significantly higher than with regular SSDs or HDDs. For applications requiring high network throughput, such as streaming or game servers, it's also important to consider network channel characteristics. You can learn more about bandwidth requirements in our article: Dedicated Server for Streaming: Requirements, Bandwidth, and Cost.

Choosing Your Soulmask Server Location

The geographical location of your server directly impacts ping (latency) for players. The closer the server is to the majority of your audience, the lower the ping and the more comfortable the game will be. Valebyte offers a wide selection of global locations, allowing you to choose the optimal option for your region.

• Europe: For players from Western and Eastern Europe.
• North America: For players from the USA and Canada.
• Asia: For players from the Asia-Pacific region.

How to Install a Soulmask Server on Linux Using SteamCMD

Installing a Soulmask dedicated server on Linux is done via SteamCMD — a universal tool for downloading and updating Steam game servers. This method ensures up-to-date server files and simplifies management.

Preparing Your System and Installing SteamCMD

Before starting the installation, ensure your Linux system is updated. For SteamCMD to work, it's recommended to create a separate user to enhance security and process isolation.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo useradd -m soulmaskserver -s /bin/bash
sudo passwd soulmaskserver # Set a strong password
sudo usermod -aG sudo soulmaskserver # Grant sudo privileges if needed for package installation
su - soulmaskserver

Now, let's install SteamCMD. For 64-bit Debian/Ubuntu systems:

sudo apt install lib32gcc-s1 curl -y # Required libraries
mkdir steamcmd
cd steamcmd
curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | tar xzv
chmod +x steamcmd.sh

If you have ever set up other game servers, such as those from the Source Engine family (TF2, CS:S, GMod), the SteamCMD installation process will be familiar to you. If not, we recommend checking out our detailed guide: Source Dedicated Server (SRCDS): Installing TF2, CS:S, and GMod on Linux.

Downloading Soulmask Dedicated Server Files

Launch SteamCMD and download the Soulmask server files. The application ID for Soulmask Dedicated Server is 3064500.

./steamcmd.sh
# In SteamCMD
login anonymous
force_install_dir ../soulmask_server
app_update 3064500 validate
quit

After executing these commands, all necessary files to run your Soulmask dedicated server will be located in the `soulmask_server` directory.

Soulmask Server Configuration: World and PvP Settings

After installing the server, you need to configure its parameters. All main Soulmask settings are stored in the ServerSettings.ini file. This file allows you to control almost all aspects of the gameplay.

Editing the ServerSettings.ini File

Navigate to the server files directory: cd ~/soulmask_server/Soulmask/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/. If the ServerSettings.ini file is missing, run the server once to generate it, then stop it. Open the file for editing:

nano ServerSettings.ini

Examples of important settings you can change:

[ServerSettings]
ServerName=My Awesome Valebyte Server # Name that will be visible in the server list
ServerPassword=MySecretPassword # Password for connection if the server is private
MaxPlayerNum=10 # Maximum number of players
PVPMode=0 # 0 for PvE, 1 for PvP
DamageMultiplier=1.0 # Damage multiplier
HarvestMultiplier=2.0 # Resource harvest multiplier
ExpMultiplier=2.0 # Experience multiplier
DropRatioMultiplier=1.0 # Item drop chance multiplier
DayTimeLength=1.0 # Day length (1.0 = standard)
NightTimeLength=1.0 # Night length (1.0 = standard)
PlayerDamageToPlayerMultiplier=1.0 # Player damage to player (PvP only)
PlayerDamageToStructureMultiplier=1.1 # Player damage to structures
StructureDamageToPlayerMultiplier=1.0 # Structure damage to player
FriendlyFireDamageMultiplier=0.1 # Friendly fire damage (PvP)
ServerSaveInterval=600 # Auto-save interval in seconds (10 minutes)
AdminPassword=SuperAdminPassword # Password for in-game admin commands
ServerAutoBackup=True # Enable automatic server backup
ServerAutoBackupInterval=3600 # Automatic backup interval in seconds (1 hour)

Save changes (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X). These parameters allow you to fine-tune your Soulmask server settings to your community's needs.

Manually Launching Your Soulmask Server

For the first launch or testing, you can use the following command:

cd ~/soulmask_server/Soulmask/Binaries/Linux/
./SoulmaskServer-Linux-Shipping Soulmask -log -Port=7777 -QueryPort=27015 -RCONPort=27020 -ServerName="My Awesome Valebyte Server" -MaxPlayerNum=10 -ServerPassword="MySecretPassword"

Note that parameters passed on the command line can override settings in ServerSettings.ini. It is recommended to use ServerSettings.ini for permanent settings and the command line for temporary changes or testing.

Opening Ports for Your Soulmask Server: Soulmask Server Ports

For your Soulmask server to be accessible from the internet, you need to open the corresponding ports in the server's firewall and, if necessary, on your router (if the server is on a local network behind NAT). Soulmask uses several UDP ports for game traffic and queries.

Essential Soulmask Server Ports

• 7777/UDP: Main game port.
• 27015/UDP: Port for Steam Query requests (allows the server to appear in the Steam server list).
• 27020/UDP: RCON port (optional, for remote administration).

Configuring Your Firewall (UFW)

If you are using UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) on your Linux system, open the necessary ports with the following commands:

sudo ufw allow 7777/udp
sudo ufw allow 27015/udp
sudo ufw allow 27020/udp # If using RCON
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status

Ensure UFW is enabled and the ports are open. If you are using another firewall (e.g., firewalld on CentOS/RHEL) or a cloud firewall (security groups on a VPS), configure them similarly. Proper firewall setup is part of overall server security, which you can read more about in the article: Securing a VPN Server on VPS: Fail2ban, SSH Keys, and Closed Ports.

Automating Soulmask Server Startup and Monitoring with systemd

To ensure stable 24/7 server operation and automatic startup after system reboot, it is recommended to use systemd. This is the standard initialization system in most modern Linux distributions.

Creating a systemd Service for Soulmask

Create a service file for Soulmask. Make sure you are logged in as the soulmaskserver user or have sudo privileges.

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

Insert the following content, replacing /home/soulmaskserver/soulmask_server with your actual server path if it differs:

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

[Service]
User=soulmaskserver
Group=soulmaskserver
WorkingDirectory=/home/soulmaskserver/soulmask_server/Soulmask/Binaries/Linux/
ExecStart=/home/soulmaskserver/soulmask_server/Soulmask/Binaries/Linux/SoulmaskServer-Linux-Shipping Soulmask -log -Port=7777 -QueryPort=27015 -RCONPort=27020 -ServerName="My Awesome Valebyte Server" -MaxPlayerNum=10 -ServerPassword="MySecretPassword"
ExecStop=/usr/bin/killall -TERM SoulmaskServer-Linux-Shipping
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=30
LimitNOFILE=100000

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Important notes:

• User and Group should match the user under which the server is installed.
• WorkingDirectory should point to the `Soulmask/Binaries/Linux/` directory.
• ExecStart should contain the full path to the server executable and all necessary launch parameters.
• ExecStop is used for gracefully shutting down the server when the service is stopped.
• Restart=on-failure ensures the server automatically restarts in case of a crash.

Managing Your Soulmask systemd Service

After creating the service file, you need to reload systemd, enable, and start it:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable soulmaskserver
sudo systemctl start soulmaskserver

You can check the server status with the command:

sudo systemctl status soulmaskserver

To view server logs:

sudo journalctl -u soulmaskserver -f

Now your Soulmask server will automatically start at system boot and restart in case of failures, ensuring maximum uptime.

Soulmask Server Backup and Save Restoration

Regular server data backup is insurance against losing progress due to crashes, configuration errors, or other unforeseen situations. Soulmask stores all world saves in a specific directory.

Where Soulmask Server Saves are Stored

The main save directory is located at: ~/soulmask_server/Soulmask/Saved/SaveGames/. Inside this folder, there will be a subfolder with your world's name (or default). This is the folder you need to back up regularly.

Setting Up Automatic Backups with Cron

You can set up a simple script to create save archives and run it on a schedule via cron. Create a backup script:

nano ~/backup_soulmask.sh

Add the following content to it:

#!/bin/bash
BACKUP_DIR="/home/soulmaskserver/backups"
SERVER_SAVE_DIR="/home/soulmaskserver/soulmask_server/Soulmask/Saved/SaveGames/"
DATE=$(date +%Y%m%d%H%M%S)
BACKUP_FILE="$BACKUP_DIR/soulmask_save_$DATE.tar.gz"

mkdir -p $BACKUP_DIR

echo "Starting Soulmask server backup at $DATE..."
# Optional: Stop the server before backup for consistency (if not using built-in backup)
# sudo systemctl stop soulmaskserver

tar -czf "$BACKUP_FILE" -C "$SERVER_SAVE_DIR" .

# Optional: Start the server back up
# sudo systemctl start soulmaskserver

echo "Backup complete: $BACKUP_FILE"

# Delete old backups (e.g., older than 7 days)
find $BACKUP_DIR -name "soulmask_save_*.tar.gz" -mtime +7 -delete
echo "Old backups removed."

Make the script executable:

chmod +x ~/backup_soulmask.sh

Now add a job to cron. Open crontab for the soulmaskserver user:

crontab -e

Add a line to run the backup, for example, every day at 03:00 AM:

0 3 * * * /home/soulmaskserver/backup_soulmask.sh > /home/soulmaskserver/backup_soulmask.log 2>&1

This will allow you to have up-to-date backups of your Soulmask world, providing peace of mind and the ability to quickly restore.

Common Soulmask Server Issues and Troubleshooting

Even with proper configuration, problems can arise. Knowing common errors and how to fix them will help you get your server back online quickly.

Server Not Visible in the List

This is one of the most frequent problems.

• Check Ports: Ensure that ports 7777/UDP and 27015/UDP are open on the server's firewall (UFW, iptables) and, if applicable, on your router. Use sudo ufw status or netstat -tulnp | grep 7777.
• Check IP Address: The server might be bound to the wrong IP address (e.g., a local one). Make sure you are using your VPS's public IP address.
• Steam Query: Ensure that port 27015/UDP is correctly specified in the server launch parameters. Without it, the server will not appear in the list.
• ServerName: Verify that the server name is specified in ServerSettings.ini and does not contain special characters.
• Updates: Ensure that both the server and game client have the same versions. Run app_update 3064500 validate via SteamCMD.

Out of Memory Crashes

Soulmask can be demanding on RAM, especially with many players or extended uptime.

• Increase RAM: If the server consistently crashes with Out of Memory errors, consider upgrading your VPS to a larger amount of RAM. Refer to the Soulmask server requirements table above.
• Check for Leaks: Sometimes memory leaks can be caused by bugs in the game itself. Keep an eye on server updates.
• Swap File: Ensure you have a swap file configured. While swap slows down performance, it can prevent complete server crashes during peak loads.

Slow Server Startup

Slow startup can be caused by several factors.

• Disk Speed: Ensure you are using an NVMe SSD. Slow disks (especially HDDs) significantly increase world loading times.
• CPU Performance: A weak processor can also slow down world initialization.
• Logs: Review server logs (sudo journalctl -u soulmaskserver -f) to identify at which stage the delay occurs.

Soulmask Server Hosting: Self-Hosted vs. Rented?

When it comes to hosting a Soulmask server, players and administrators face a choice: rent a pre-configured slot from a specialized game hosting provider or rent a VPS/dedicated server and set it up themselves. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.

Renting a Pre-Configured Slot from a Game Hosting Provider

Pros:

• Simplicity: Maximum ease of launch. Usually, you just choose the game, number of slots, and pay.
• Support: Game server hosts often offer specialized support for specific games.
• Control Panel: Convenient web panels for server management, without needing to use the command line.

Cons:

• Limited Control: You are restricted by the settings the host provides. Deep customization or mod installation may not be possible.
• Price per Slot: Often, the cost per slot for 10-20 players can be higher than renting a VPS with similar resources. For example, for 20 players, the approximate cost of a pre-configured slot might be $30-50/month, yet you don't get full control over the OS and hardware.
• Performance: Resources may be shared among many servers on one physical node, sometimes leading to "noisy neighbor" performance issues.

Self-Hosting on a Valebyte VPS or Dedicated Server

Pros:

• Full Control: You are the sole system administrator. You can install any mods, configure the OS, and use the server for other tasks (e.g., other game servers, VPNs, websites).
• Flexibility: Ability to scale resources (vCPU, RAM, disk) to your needs without being tied to fixed "slots."
• Cost-Effectiveness: Renting a VPS with the necessary resources is often cheaper than paying for slots from a game host, especially for larger communities (20+ players). For example, a VPS for 20 players with 4 vCPU and 8 GB RAM from Valebyte can cost approximately $25-40/month, giving you more control for a similar or lower price.
• Optimization: Ability to fine-tune the operating system and server software for maximum Soulmask performance.

Cons:

• Requires Knowledge: Basic skills in Linux, command line, and server administration are necessary.
• Setup Time: Initial installation and configuration take more time.
• Self-Support: You are responsible for updates, monitoring, and troubleshooting.

The choice between these options depends on your technical knowledge, budget, and desire for full control. For those who value flexibility and are willing to learn the basics of administration, Soulmask server hosting on a VPS from Valebyte is the most cost-effective and powerful solution. If you need a maximally simple "set it and forget it" option, a pre-configured slot might be preferable, but with limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many players can a Soulmask server handle with 8 GB RAM?

A Soulmask server on a VPS with 8 GB RAM and 4 vCPU can stably support 10 to 20 active players. However, this depends on their activity, the number of built objects, and the overall world load. For larger communities (20+ players), it is recommended to increase RAM to 12-16 GB.

Can I run a Soulmask server on Windows Server?

Yes, Soulmask Dedicated Server is also available for Windows Server. The installation process is similar to the Linux version via SteamCMD, but instead of the Linux executable, the Windows version is launched. Hardware requirements remain similar, but Windows may consume slightly more OS resources.

How do I update my Soulmask server?

To update your Soulmask server, simply stop it (sudo systemctl stop soulmaskserver), then run the SteamCMD command: steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 3064500 validate +quit. After a successful update, start the server again (sudo systemctl start soulmaskserver). Regular updates are important for compatibility with the client version of the game.

What is the best disk type for a Soulmask server?

For a Soulmask server, NVMe SSDs are highly recommended. Their high read/write speeds significantly accelerate world loading, save progress, and overall server responsiveness. Using regular SSDs or HDDs can lead to noticeable delays and "freezes" during server operation, especially with 10+ active users.

Do I need a dedicated IP address for a Soulmask server?

Yes, for your Soulmask server to be accessible from the internet and appear in server lists, it needs a public dedicated IP address. All Valebyte VPS and dedicated servers come with public IP addresses by default, making them an ideal solution for game server hosting.

Conclusion

Creating and managing your own Soulmask dedicated server on a VPS from Valebyte provides maximum control, flexibility, and performance for your gaming community. Despite the need for basic technical knowledge, the step-by-step setup via SteamCMD, systemd, and firewall ensures a stable and secure gaming environment. Investing in a quality VPS with an NVMe disk and sufficient RAM pays off with uninterrupted operation and comfort for all players, making Valebyte an optimal choice for your Soulmask dedicated server.