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Dedicated Server Hosting
April 14, 2026 at 05:22 PM
Initial article: dedicated server hosting details confirmed at April 14 2026 Early Access launch
Windrose supports dedicated servers for cooperative play as of its April 14, 2026 Early Access launch. Kraken Express confirmed dedicated server software is available at launch, alongside self-hosted co-op and solo offline play. Dedicated servers keep a persistent world active when no player is logged in, which is the main reason to use one rather than self-hosting from your own machine.
This article covers the high-level hosting options, the third-party providers confirmed at launch, and pointers to setup guides. Step-by-step installation instructions vary by provider and are published on the providers' own documentation pages.
Use Case | Best Option |
|---|---|
Playing solo | Solo offline mode; no server needed |
Casual 1-3 friend co-op with the host always present | Self-hosted co-op via invite code |
Persistent world for 4+ friends across timezones | Dedicated server (self-hosted or third-party) |
Full 8-player lobby | Dedicated server strongly recommended for stability |
World accessible when the host is offline | Dedicated server required |
Stable performance in late game with dense bases | Dedicated server with ample RAM |
Running a dedicated server on your own machine is free but ties the world's uptime to your PC being on and connected. Expect to need significantly more than the minimum 16 GB of RAM to host up to 8 players comfortably. Port-forwarding on your home router is typically required. Kraken Express has published a Steam Community guide for Windrose dedicated servers (steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3706337486) with the official walkthrough.
Multiple commercial hosts offer Windrose-specific server rental plans from the Early Access launch. Plans vary by region, slot count, and features like DDoS protection and FTP access. Pricing below reflects launch-week numbers and may change.
Provider | Notes | Pricing (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
Nitrado | Partner provider explicitly referenced in Windrose's launch-day hotfix 0.10.0.1.6 for the Nitrado server link correction | Subscription; check nitrado.net for current tiers |
G-Portal | Wiki documentation at g-portal.com/wiki/en/windrose with setup guides | From $1.80 USD / 3 days |
Survival Servers | 7 global datacenters, DDoS protection, full FTP access | Subscription; check survivalservers.com |
GG Host | Locations in United States, Brazil, South Africa, England, Germany, Thailand, Singapore, Australia | Subscription |
4netplayers | European host with Windrose plans | From USD $7.11 / month |
Nodecraft | Pro and Lite tiers | Subscription; check nodecraft.com |
GTX Gaming | Listed as Windrose server partner | Subscription |
Citadel Servers | Listed as Windrose server partner | Subscription |
LOW.MS | Published Early Access setup guides at low.ms/blog/how-to-set-up-windrose-dedicated-server | Subscription |
8-player slot support matching Windrose's maximum co-op cap
FTP/SFTP access for backup downloads and save-file manipulation
Automatic backups for recovering from world corruption or griefing
Nearby datacenter for low ping to your group's members
Control panel with start/stop/update controls so patching the server when a new patch drops is one click
Restart schedules for memory cleanup on long-running servers
DDoS protection especially if you publicize your server externally
Player Count | Recommended RAM (dedicated to server) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
2-3 players | 8 GB | Plus your own gameplay RAM on the same machine |
4-5 players | 12 GB | Base build density and mods drive this higher |
6-8 players (max) | 16 GB+ | Dedicated hosting is strongly preferred over self-hosting at this scale |
Note that the game's 16 GB minimum system requirement assumes you are only running the client, not a server on the same machine. Hosting adds server-side RAM overhead plus asset streaming for the host player. If you plan to host, consider running the server on a separate machine or renting from a third-party provider.
Read the official guide: The Steam Community dedicated server guide (sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3706337486) is the first stop.
Pick a region: Match the server datacenter to your group's average location to minimize ping.
Forward ports (self-host only): The required ports are listed in the official guide. Verify with your router's admin panel.
Configure world difficulty: Choose between Calm Waters, High Seas, Storm's Edge, or Captain's Choice at server world creation. The setting is permanent for that world.
Set up backups: Either through your host's control panel or with a scheduled FTP dump for self-hosting.
Invite your crew: Share the server address or invite code. The dedicated server does not need the host to be logged in to remain active.
The April 14, 2026 Early Access launch shipped with minor server-related issues addressed in hotfix 0.10.0.1.6. Notable items:
Nitrado server link text in the game UI was corrected
Server info text fields were hidden by default in the Escape menu, with reveal buttons added (to protect invite codes and addresses from screenshots)
Localization fixes applied across server-related text
Kraken Express iterates quickly on connectivity and server issues. Check the Steam news feed for patch notes if you encounter problems.
Multiplayer — core co-op mechanics and session flow
System Requirements — hardware baseline for playing the game itself
Early Access — launch status, pricing, and roadmap context