StarRupture Dedicated Server Configuration Guide

This comprehensive guide explains how to start the StarRupture Dedicated Server, manage save games, and configure server behavior using the DSSettings.txt file.

Starting the Dedicated Server

The dedicated server should always be started using a batch file that launches the server executable directly.

Example Start Script

@echo off
cd /d C:\servers\StarRupture
start "" .\StarRuptureServerEOS.exe -Log -port=7777

Launch Parameters

• -Log – Enables console logging
• -port=7777 – Sets the server listening port

Important: Always start the server using a .bat file rather than the Steam client to avoid Steam session conflicts.

A Word About Multihome Configuration

If you have been told to use -multihome, please ensure you understand what this parameter does as it is not needed for most common configurations.

Save Game Management

The server can either create a new save or load an existing save. This behavior is controlled entirely by the DSSettings.txt configuration file.

Note: When using DSSettings.txt, a join password cannot be set without additional configuration. If you wish to enable a join password, read the “Using A Join Password” section before continuing.

DSSettings.txt Configuration

DSSettings.txt is a small configuration file that is read by the server when it starts. The file allows the server owner to either create a new save or load an existing save without having to use the in-game Server Manager.

File Location

C:\servers\StarRupture\DSSettings.txt

The file should be saved alongside StarRuptureServerEOS.exe

Default DSSettings.txt Contents

{
  "SessionName": "MySaveGame",
  "SaveGameInterval": "300",
  "StartNewGame": "false",
  "LoadSavedGame": "true",
  "SaveGameName": "AutoSave0.sav"
}

Configuration Options

Creating a New Save (New World)

1. Stop the server
2. Set in DSSettings.txt:

   "StartNewGame": "true",
   "LoadSavedGame": "false"

3. Start the server and wait for it to finish loading
4. Join your server in the game and select a character
5. Press ESC and click the Save button in the menu (this will save to StarRupture\Saved\SaveGames\MySaveGame)
6. Disconnect from the server
7. Stop the server (CTRL+C will gracefully shutdown the server)
8. Revert DSSettings.txt:

   "StartNewGame": "false",
   "LoadSavedGame": "true"

9. Start the server and join it – there is no need to use the in-game server manager tool

Loading an Existing Save

1. Stop the server
2. Ensure DSSettings.txt contains:

   "StartNewGame": "false",
   "LoadSavedGame": "true",
   "SaveGameName": "AutoSave0.sav"

3. Upload your save game .sav and .met files to the server
4. Rename these files to AutoSave0.sav and AutoSave0.met
5. Start the server and join it

Warning: Ensure that StartNewGame is set to false before starting the server, or your save game will be overwritten!

Using A Join Password

If you wish to set up a Join Password, you must do this before using DSSettings.txt:

1. Start your server, ensuring no DSSettings.txt file exists
2. Open the StarRupture game client
3. Connect to your server using the in-game Server Manager from the main menu
4. Configure an Admin Password when prompted
5. Click the Change Password button in the Server Manager dialog
6. Enter the join password that players will use when connecting
7. Click Back (or press ESC) – do not attempt to create or load a game at this point
8. Stop your server and continue with the DSSettings.txt configuration

Server Requirements

• OS: Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2019/2022 (64-bit)
• CPU: 4 physical cores (i5/Ryzen 5 or better)
• RAM: 16 GB+
• Storage: ~45 GB free

Installing the Server with SteamCMD

1. Create a folder for the server, e.g. C:\Servers\Starrupture
2. Place steamcmd.exe in that folder
3. Create SteamCMD.bat with:

   @echo off
   set SR_DIR=C:\Servers\Starrupture
   set SR_APPID=3809400
   start "" steamcmd.exe +login anonymous ^
    +force_install_dir "%SR_DIR%" ^
    +app_update %SR_APPID% validate ^
    +quit

4. Run SteamCMD.bat as admin

Complete Launch Script

Create StartServer.bat:

@echo off
set SR_DIR=C:\Servers\Starrupture
cd /d "%SR_DIR%"

StarRuptureServerEOS.exe ^
 -Log ^
 -MULTIHOME=YOUR.SERVER.IP ^
 -Port=7777 ^
 -QueryPort=27015 ^
 -ServerName="My Starrupture Server"

Port Forwarding

• 7777/UDP – Game traffic
• 27015/UDP – Query port

Allow the server executable through Windows Defender Firewall.

Configuration Files

• Configs (INIs): ...\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\ (e.g., Game.ini, Engine.ini)
• Saves/worlds: ...\Saved\SaveGames\

Always stop the server before editing INIs. Back up the entire Saved folder regularly.

Common Admin Tasks

• Change server name: Edit the launch parameter -ServerName="Your Name" and restart
• Adjust player cap: Set your desired value with -MaxPlayers=# and restart
• Schedule restarts: Use Windows Task Scheduler to run StartServer.bat at off-hours
• Logs: Start with -Log (console) and check ...\Saved\Logs\

Troubleshooting

• Server not visible: Confirm ports are forwarded and that -MULTIHOME matches the server’s bound/public IP
• Join timeouts: Forward 7777/UDP and 27015/UDP to the host; avoid double-NAT/VPN on the host
• Lag/rubber-banding: Reduce view-distance/density settings if available; keep the machine lean

Recommended Production Configuration

{
  "SessionName": "StarRuptureServer",
  "SaveGameInterval": "300",
  "StartNewGame": "false",
  "LoadSavedGame": "true",
  "SaveGameName": "AutoSave0.sav"
}

Important Notes

• Always stop the server before editing DSSettings.txt
• Keep backups of save files
• Configuration options may expand in future updates