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Dedicated Server Hosting - Version 28 vs Version 29
Jun 4, 2026, 07:07 PM
Removed duplicate in-body wikilinks
Jun 26, 2026, 01:34 PM
Updated Linux hosting guidance: official Docker images with Linux server support added in Hotfix 0.10.0.7 (June 25, 2026)
11Windrose supports dedicated servers at the April 14, 2026 Early Access launch. The official Discord FAQ says the dedicated server build ships as a free Steam tool, and the official server guide explains both the simple install flow and the manual SteamCMD route. For groups that want a persistent world online even when the usual host is away, dedicated hosting is the intended setup.22Official Status44TopicCurrent Verified AnswerDedicated servers at launchYes. Officially supported from day oneOfficial multiplayer capUp to 8 players, per the live Steam store page and the FAQ repost from the DiscordPerformance recommendationThe official dedicated server guide recommends up to 4 players for smoother performanceSelf-hostingSupported through the official server build and guideRented hostsSupported, but provider slot counts should not be treated as higher official gameplay limits66That split between 8 supported players and 4 recommended players matters. Windrose is officially sold as an up-to-8-player co-op game, but the official server configuration guide is more conservative when it talks about smooth real-world performance.77How You Actually Get the Server Files99Install the Windrose dedicated server tool from Steam Tools, or use SteamCMD if you want a manual server box workflow.Copy the server files to a location outside the main game folder if you are using the bundled server files from the client install.Edit the JSON configuration files only while the server is shut down.Keep the dedicated server version matched to the current game client version after every patch or hotfix.1111The official guide also documents a SteamCMD install path. The command sequence is: force_install_dir to your chosen folder, login anonymous, app_update 4129620 validate, then quit.1414Core Files and Settings1616FileWhat It ControlsServerDescription.jsonInvite code, password protection, server name, selected world, max players, and socket address settingsWorldDescription.jsonWorld name, world preset, and custom difficulty or co-op parameters for that worldR5\Saved\SaveProfiles\Default\RocksDB\...\WorldsThe actual dedicated server world folders1818The most important linkage is WorldIslandId in ServerDescription.json. It must match the exact world folder ID you want the server to load.1919Hotfix 0.10.0.6 (May 18, 2026) added a SaveWorkflow.md file to the Dedicated Server root folder. The new document describes the server-side save and backup flow, alongside the existing server files in the table above. Administrators troubleshooting save synchronization or planning a manual backup rotation should read it before changing server file handling.2121Hotfix 0.10.0.7 (June 25, 2026) went further on the hosting side by adding official Docker images with Linux server support. The accompanying DedicatedServer.md file in the dedicated server root directory documents the Linux setup. This makes a Linux dedicated server a documented, mainline option rather than the experimental Wine workaround earlier builds described. The game client is still Windows-only, so this change affects server administrators, not players choosing how to run the game itself.23+Self-Hosting Versus Renting2325ApproachBest ForTradeoffSelf-hostingSmall groups, home labs, and players comfortable with config filesCheaper long term, but you handle file updates, networking, backups, and troubleshooting yourselfRented hostingFriend groups that want the fastest path to a persistent worldEasier uptime and backups, but you still inherit Early Access quirks and should not trust host marketing over the official cap2527The official guide stays focused on self-hosting, and that is the safest source to trust. Provider control panels can be convenient, but the authoritative setup information still comes from Kraken Express.2628Networking and Connection Notes2830The official guide says ports are dynamically assigned through NAT punch-through rather than fixed port forwarding rules.Your router should support UPnP if you are self-hosting.If clients fail to connect, the official troubleshooting notes recommend disabling proxy or VPN software temporarily.Version mismatch between the client and server is one of the first things to check after patches.3032Platform and Host Notes3234EnvironmentCurrent Official GuidanceWindowsPrimary documented path. This is the baseline setup in the official guideLinux or headlessSupported only as an experimental Wine path in the official guide, not as the mainline setupProxmoxOfficial guide recommends using CPU type host because generic virtual CPU profiles can cause launch failures or instability35+EnvironmentCurrent Official GuidanceWindowsPrimary documented path. This is the baseline setup in the official guideLinux or headlessNow officially supported through Docker images with Linux server support, added in Hotfix 0.10.0.7 (June 25, 2026). Setup is documented in DedicatedServer.md in the dedicated server root directory. Earlier builds documented Linux only as an experimental Wine pathProxmoxOfficial guide recommends using CPU type host because generic virtual CPU profiles can cause launch failures or instability3436What the Official Guide Does Not Offer3537Kraken Express has published a real setup guide, but not a real admin-command handbook. Current launch-week coverage of admin commands consistently circles back to the same answer: the live build is a JSON-and-hosting workflow, not a mature console-command server-management workflow. If you are looking for rust-style admin powers, assume they are limited or undocumented until the developers publish otherwise.3739Good Habits for Live Worlds3941Back up your world before moving it, renaming folders, or updating the server build.Keep one note with your world folder ID, invite code, password, and preset details so you can rebuild quickly after a bad patch or host move.Do not rename world folders. The official guide warns that the world database depends on those IDs.If performance matters more than maximum population, follow the guide's smoother-play recommendation and keep the world closer to 4 active players.4143Launch-Week Connectivity and Known Limitations4345The April 14, 2026 Early Access launch stressed Kraken Express's live services, and the pain points around dedicated server hosting are worth calling out separately from the broader multiplayer connectivity story. Self-hosted and rented servers remained technically functional, but two specific issues affected hosts during the launch window.4547Access Token Generation Cooldown (Fixed in Hotfix 0.10.0.1.6)4749Dedicated server hosts reported that access token generation was gated by a cooldown timer that compounded with the launch-window backend load. When the cooldown expired mid-session or during a restart, servers could temporarily refuse new joins until the next regeneration window.4951Hotfix 0.10.0.1.6 disabled the access token generation cooldown for dedicated servers entirely. Hosts who ran into token-related failures in the first three days should no longer see them after updating the dedicated server build to match the patch. If the issue persists, the most common remaining cause is a client/server version mismatch, which the same hotfix also surfaces through an explicit UI error.5153Port Forwarding is Not a Standard Option5355Hosts coming from other survival games have flagged a setup limitation with the launch build: the current dedicated server path does not offer a standard way to connect clients through a specific forwarded port. The official server settings schema does expose a P2pProxyAddress socket field, but the official guide describes the networking layer as NAT punch-through with dynamically assigned ports rather than a fixed, user-chosen forwarded port.5557That design works well for most home-hosted groups with UPnP-capable routers, but it removes a knob that hosts with restrictive firewalls or traffic-shaping policies rely on elsewhere. This was widely flagged in launch-week coverage as a concrete area where Kraken Express has room to expand dedicated-server tooling. The studio has said more connectivity fixes are in testing, but no timeline has been published for opt-in fixed-port hosting.5759Until that lands, self-hosted groups behind strict NAT should verify UPnP is enabled on the router, temporarily disable VPN or proxy software when testing connectivity (per the official troubleshooting notes), and keep the dedicated server build matched to the current game client version after every patch.5961See Also6163Server Settings - the JSON fields and custom world parametersSave File Location - exact world paths for client and dedicated server savesMultiplayer - co-op structure, world behavior, and official player-cap wordingOffline Mode - when a local solo world is the simpler option6365Dedicated Server Hardware Requirements6567The dedicated server build is significantly lighter than the game client, but it still needs dedicated RAM, CPU time, and a fast disk to stay stable. The table below lists the hardware tiers the developers recommend per player count. CPU is a 2-core, 3.2 GHz baseline (Intel Xeon Scalable class). SSD storage is 35 GB at all tiers.6769Active PlayersRAMNotes2 players8 GBComfortable tier for a small duo world.4 players12 GBMatches the soft performance recommendation already in the official guide.10 players16 GBAbove the supported-cap soft recommendation; expect lag spikes in dense naval combat.6971If you are running the game client and the dedicated server on the same physical machine, budget at least 24 GB of total RAM (16 GB for the client, 8 GB or more for the background server). Anything less leaves both processes fighting for headroom and usually causes stutter on the client side during island streaming.7072Do Not Launch From the Client's Server Folder7274A WindroseServer folder exists inside the main game install, but it is not a second, equivalent entry point. The game client actively shuts down any server process started from that folder to prevent memory conflicts and corrupted saves. Always run the dedicated server from the separate Steam Tools install (or a SteamCMD install in its own directory), never from the client's bundled copy.7476Simple Launch with StartServerForeground7678The fastest way to get the server online without touching any config files is the foreground launcher. From the dedicated-server install directory, run StartServerForeground.bat (the double-click entry point). A command-line window opens and prints the live server log, which includes the short invite code the first players need to connect.7880Leave the foreground window open; closing it stops the server.If the invite code scrolls past too fast to copy, open the R5 folder in the server install and read InviteCode from ServerDescription.json instead. The field matches the code printed in the log.Paste the invite code into the Connect to Server screen in the game client and share it with the group.8082Migrating a Local World to a Dedicated Server8284The most common hosting transition is moving an existing co-op world off of one player's machine onto a dedicated server so the group stops waiting for a specific host. Shut down both the game and the server before moving any files, and back the world up first. One wrong paste can invalidate the save entirely.84861. Locate the Source World8688On the original host's PC, paste this path into the file browser address bar: %USERPROFILE%/AppData/Local/R5/Saved/SaveProfiles/. Inside that directory, open the folder named after the host's Steam ID, then RocksDB, then the current game version folder, then Worlds. The alphanumeric folder inside Worlds is the world itself. Copy the entire folder. See8890Save File Location for the full path reference on both client and server.90922. Paste Into the Server9294On the dedicated-server machine, navigate to the dedicated-server install directory, then R5/Saved/SaveProfiles/Default/RocksDB/<game version>/Worlds/. Paste the copied world folder there. Keep the folder name exactly as it was on the source machine; do not rename it.94963. Point the Server at the Copied World9698Open ServerDescription.json in the server root, set WorldIslandId to the exact folder name you just pasted (no surrounding slashes, no extra spaces), save the file, and launch the server. The copied world loads on the next server boot with all existing progress intact.98100After a successful migration, plan to update the dedicated server build alongside every game patch. A version mismatch between client and server is the single most common reason a previously working world stops accepting connections after an update.100102EGS and Stove Server Files102104Players who installed Windrose through Epic Games Store or Stove do not get the dedicated server as a separate download. The server binary ships bundled inside the main Windrose install, and it cannot run from inside that install folder because the game client will try to shut the server process down to avoid memory conflicts and save corruption. The fix on EGS and Stove is to copy the server folder out of the main install first, then treat the copied folder as the standalone dedicated server install from then on.104106Open the main Windrose game installation folder on the host PC.Navigate to R5\Builds. Inside you will see a folder named either WindroseServer or WindowsServer depending on the client build.Copy that entire folder to a separate location on the PC, for example C:\Game_Servers\Windrose_Server. Do not try to launch the server in place from inside the main game directory.From the copied folder, continue with either the simple launch flow (StartServerForeground.bat) or the advanced config-file flow. Both work identically to the Steam Tools install once the folder has been moved.106108Steam users do not need this step. On Steam the dedicated server is a separate free entry under the Tools filter in the Steam Library, and right-clicking it and choosing Manage then Browse Local Files opens a standalone server folder that already lives outside the main game install.108110WorldDescription.json Fields110112Each world folder on a dedicated server includes its own WorldDescription.json file. The path is R5/Saved/SaveProfiles/Default/RocksDB/<game version>/Worlds/<world id>/WorldDescription.json, and the <world id> portion of the path must match the IslandId field inside the file as well as the WorldIslandId set in ServerDescription.json. A server can host multiple worlds by creating multiple folders under Worlds, each with its own WorldDescription.json, and pointing the active WorldIslandId at whichever world the server should load on its next boot.112114FieldWhat It DoesNotesIslandIdUnique world IDMust match the surrounding world folder name exactlyWorldNameWorld display nameShown in menus and server logsCreationTimeCreation timestampInternal format, do not edit by handWorldPresetTypeDifficulty preset for this worldValid values are Easy, Medium, or Hard; any custom value forces the preset to Custom on the next launchWorldSettingsGrouped custom parametersEmpty for Easy, Medium, and Hard presets; used only when WorldPresetType is Custom, and accepts bool, float, and tag parameters114116Edit WorldDescription.json only while the server is fully shut down. The server creates a default version of the file on first launch, and startup issues can cause manually edited fields to be reset or overwritten. Do not rename a world folder to change its ID: the server database relies on the generated folder name, and renaming can prevent the world from loading.115117Updating the Dedicated Server After a Game Patch117119A dedicated server that falls behind the client build will stop accepting joins after a patch. Hotfix 0.10.0.1.6 and later surface an explicit version-mismatch error in the client UI, but the underlying fix is the same: bring the dedicated server up to the current client build. The procedure depends on how the server was originally installed.119121Steam or SteamCMD Installs121123Steam Tools handles dedicated server updates automatically the next time the Steam client runs. For SteamCMD installs, rerun the same commands that were used for the initial install: force_install_dir to the existing server directory, login anonymous, then app_update 4129620 validate. Only changed files are downloaded, and the existing R5\Saved folder is left intact.123125EGS and Stove Installs125127Because the dedicated server files ship inside the main game install on EGS and Stove, the server does not update on its own when those storefronts patch the game client. The running dedicated server keeps serving the old build until the host manually copies the new files out. The update procedure is:127129Install the latest game client update through EGS or Stove as normal.Open the updated main Windrose game directory and go to R5\Builds. Copy the new WindroseServer or WindowsServer folder to a new location (for example a new sibling folder next to the old server install).Copy the old dedicated server's entire R5\Saved folder into the new server install. This is the world data and ServerDescription.json settings. Without this step the new server boots as a blank install with no worlds.Retire the old server folder (rename, archive, or leave it in place untouched as a rollback option).Launch the new server normally. The server version now matches the client version, and existing worlds, invite codes, and settings carry over intact.129131Back up the R5\Saved folder to a separate drive before starting any update. A failed copy during an update is one of the few ways to lose world progress, and the save folder is small enough that keeping a snapshot per patch is cheap.131133Startup and Crash Troubleshooting Checklist133135If the dedicated server refuses to launch or crashes immediately after StartServerForeground.bat opens a console window, the problem is usually in the host environment rather than in the server files themselves. Work through the list below in order before assuming the server build is broken.135137Verify Steam server files: for Steam Tools installs, right-click Windrose Dedicated Server in the Steam Library, open Properties, switch to Installed Files, and choose Verify integrity of server files. A bad download or an interrupted update can leave the server folder with missing or corrupt binaries.Update GPU and system drivers: the dedicated server does not render frames, but the Windrose server build still links against core graphics and system libraries on Windows. Driver installs have fixed a number of early launch failures.Install pending Windows updates: Visual C++ runtime and kernel patches delivered through Windows Update are required for the server build to start cleanly.Add a firewall or antivirus exception for WindroseServer.exe: aggressive heuristic scanning sometimes quarantines the server executable or the process it spawns on first launch, which looks like an instant crash from the user's side.Restart the host PC and router: a full restart clears stale network sockets from the previous launch, refreshes UPnP leases, and resets any driver state that picked up the earlier updates.137139If the server starts but clients cannot see it, the issue is almost always networking rather than startup. Check UPnP on the router, disable VPN or proxy software temporarily, and confirm the client build matches the server build exactly before troubleshooting further.139141RAM Scaling by Lobby Size141143The Windrose dedicated server scales memory usage with active player count. The studio's own hosting documentation treats lobby size as the primary knob when sizing the host machine:143145Lobby SizeMinimum RAMRecommended RAM2 players8 GB12 GB4 players12 GB12 GB10 players16 GB16 GB145147Storage, CPU, and OS: 35 GB of free space on an SSD or NVMe SSD is the recommended disk setup regardless of player count. The CPU baseline is a modern 64-bit quad-core with strong single-thread performance. Supported operating systems are Windows 10, Windows 11, and any Windows Server edition released alongside them, all 64-bit. The latest Visual C++ Redistributables are a prerequisite that is not bundled with the server app, so install them separately before the first launch.146148Server Files Reference148150File or FolderPurposeStartServerForeground.batLaunches the server with a visible console for troubleshootingWindroseServer.exeStarts the dedicated server process in the background without a consoleR5/Saved/SaveProfiles/Default/ServerDescription.jsonMain server settings: invite code, max players, passwordR5/Saved/SaveProfiles/Default/RocksDB/Worlds/WorldDescription.jsonPer-world settings: difficulty, multipliers, world nameR5/Saved/Logs/Server logs for diagnostics150152Networking: the server uses dynamic networking via NAT punch-through and UPnP, so routers that support UPnP configure themselves without manual port forwarding. If home routers block UPnP (common on business or enterprise gateways), port-forward the Windrose server port explicitly or enable UPnP in router settings before launching. Editing ServerDescription.json or WorldDescription.json while the server is running is not supported and usually results in a crash at next save; always stop the server first before touching those files.151153Practical Player Cap153155The server technically scales to ten players, but the current launch-window performance profile makes four-player lobbies the recommended sweet spot. Pushing past four players sees a noticeable increase in memory pressure and rubber-banding, and ten-player lobbies have been reported to crash when all players are active in different biomes simultaneously. Treat four as the production-ready cap and ten as the edge case until a later patch stabilizes the higher counts.155157WorldSettings Custom Parameters Reference157159When WorldPresetType is set to anything other than Easy, Medium, or Hard, the server reads the WorldSettings block in WorldDescription.json for per-parameter custom values. Touching any single field inside WorldSettings flips the preset to Custom on the next launch even if you intended to nudge a single multiplier; this is the launch behaviour the server build documents and is not a bug. The full list of fields and their accepted ranges is below. Decimal multipliers accept floats, the difficulty tag accepts only the three named strings, and the coop modifier fields take a multiplier rather than a flat addition.159161SettingWhat It ControlsDefaultRangeMobHealthMultiplierHit-point pool of land enemies (pirates, undead, animals)1.00.2 to 5.0MobDamageMultiplierDamage land enemies deal per hit1.00.2 to 5.0ShipHealthMultiplierHull health of enemy ships1.00.4 to 5.0ShipDamageMultiplierDamage enemy ships deal per cannonball or boarding action1.00.2 to 2.5BoardingDifficultyMultiplierNumber of enemy sailors that must be defeated to win a boarding action1.00.2 to 5.0Coop_StatsCorrectionModifierScales enemy health and posture loss based on the number of players on the server1.00.0 to 2.0Coop_ShipStatsCorrectionModifierScales enemy ship health based on the number of players on the server0.00.0 to 2.0CombatDifficultyBoss aggression and general enemy aggression behaviourNormalEasy, Normal, Hard161163Default-vs-zero asymmetry on the coop ship modifier. The default value for Coop_ShipStatsCorrectionModifier is 0.0 rather than 1.0, which makes it the only WorldSettings field where the in-game default is the lowest end of the accepted range rather than the centre. Leaving the field at its default keeps enemy ship health unchanged regardless of player count; raising it scales enemy ship hulls upward as more players join. Most groups leave it untouched on launch and only adjust if four-player ship combat starts feeling trivial.162164Editing safety. Stop the server fully before editing WorldSettings (or any other WorldDescription.json or ServerDescription.json field). The server creates the file on first boot and rewrites several values during shutdown, so an edit applied while the process is running will either be discarded on the next save or, in worse cases, corrupt the world state. Back the world folder up before any custom-difficulty experiment so a bad combination can be rolled back without re-running migration steps.164166Difficulty as a separate axis from the multipliers. CombatDifficulty controls boss aggression and general enemy aggression independently of the numeric multipliers. Setting Mob and Ship multipliers low while leaving CombatDifficulty on Hard produces noticeably different play feel from doing the inverse: the first scenario keeps fights short but punishing, while the second drags out fights against more cautious enemies. Most groups treat CombatDifficulty as the "feel" knob and the multipliers as the "scale" knobs.166168Renting a Server From a Hosting Provider170172Self-hosting is not the only option. Several commercial game-server providers rent Windrose dedicated servers as a monthly service, which trades a recurring cost for managed uptime, automatic backups, and a control panel instead of hand-edited JSON files. Renting is the fastest path to a persistent world for friend groups who do not want to keep a home PC running, but the same Early Access quirks still apply, and a provider advertised slot count should never be treated as a higher official limit than the up-to-8 cap on the store page or the four-player smooth-performance recommendation in the official guide.172174Factors to Consider174176Location: Server geographical location affects latency. Pick a region close to where most of your group plays.Scalability: As a group grows it may need more player slots or resources. Confirm the provider lets you upgrade without rebuilding the world.Support: Responsive support matters most for anyone new to server management, especially during the patch-heavy Early Access window.Price: Providers usually bill per player slot per month. The cheapest plan is not always the most stable; balance cost against performance and uptime.Backup and security: Regular automated backups and solid account security protect world data. A provider that snapshots the world before each patch saves a lot of grief after a bad update.176178Providers that rent Windrose servers include vendors such as Nitrado, among others. Prices and supported regions change frequently, so confirm the current player-slot pricing and the nearest server region directly with the provider before committing. Whichever route you take, the authoritative setup and troubleshooting information still comes from Kraken Express rather than from any host control panel.
