Watch the video:
0:00 - Intro/Explanation
0:10 - Playing with friends without dedicated server
1:03 - Downloading SteamCMD
1:55 - Downloading Server & Updating
3:17 - Starting Soulmask Dedicated Server
3:35 - Saving & Closing Server
4:38 - Customizing Server (Name, Settings, etc)
7:32 - Joining your server
8:52 - Firewall
9:50 - Port ForwardingWhere do I get the server?
The Soulmask Dedicated Server doesn’t show on Steam under Tools as other dedicated servers do, but it is distributed on Steam. For this we’ll be using SteamCMD.
If you’d like more info about specific commands not covered here, check out the official resource of info for further configuring your server, here: https://soulmask.fandom.com/wiki/Private_Server.
Is this really free?
Yes.
As long as your computer is on, running the server and connected to the internet: People should be able to join you over the internet if you’ve set everything up properly. It’s great.
Downloading Soulmask Dedicated Server
Downloading the Soulmask Dedicated Server is easy using SteamCMD. This can be done on a computer even without Steam installed - or even an account that owns the game.
We’ll use SteamCMD to get the dedicated server files.
- Download SteamCMD for Windows here.
- Extract into a folder where you’ll install the server.
- Copy the following command and save it into a file called
update.bat. We will use this file to download our server, and in the future when updates are released: Updating it.start.bat1steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +app_update 3017310 +quit - Run the file, and wait for the downloads to complete.
If you are running SteamCMD on LInux, then you will need to use 3017300 instead of 3017310 (The Windows variant).
Preparing to launch server
Navigate into SteamApps\common\Soulmask Dedicated Server For Windows (or Soulmask Dedicated Server For Linux on Linux).
In here you will find StartServer.bat. This can be used to start your server.
This default config file won’t have any customization. You can configure settings in 2 ways, the first is in another .bat file, and the second we’ll touch on later. For good practice we’ll do both.
First: Setting up your own server starter file.
Create a new Text Document called something like My Soulmask Server.bat - just make sure to remove .txt from the end of it.
This file should contain the following:
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Customize the server name, MaxPlayers, PSW (Password) and adminpsw (Admin Password) as you see fit.
-pvp means your server will have PvP enabled. Use -pve if you want PvE instead.
Second: Server Configuration Files
In the same folder you should find WS\Saved\Config\WindowsServer. This folder should contain GameUserSettings.ini.
Create another file called Engine.ini.
Add the following to Engine.ini:
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Also, customize this as you see fit. If you have settings in the launch file as well, make sure they match - such as the server name.
Launching server
Now that we’ve configured everything, you should be able to launch up your server. Head back a few folders and start your My Soulmask Server.bat file.
Saving & Closing server
Your server runs as long as the window is open on your computer, your computer is powered on, and is connected to the internet.
To save and close your server, the developers recommend:
- Open a new PowerShell or CMD window
- Enter
telnet 127.0.0.1 18888 - Wait for the connection to succeed, and use
helpin this new terminal window for more info. - Run
quit 180to save and close your server.
I didn’t have much luck with quit, or exit while recording, but I assume small issues like this are to be expected. Saving did work as expected.
Closing your server without running one of the exit commands is not recommended.
You can find more info under “Starting the server (taking Windows as an example)” on the Soulmask Private Server wiki
Letting others join your new Soulmask server
This is simpler said than done. There are 2 sections and both need to be done to let friends over the internet play.
Open the server to LAN (Others on your local network)
To let someone on the same local network (router) as you play: You need to allow the Soulmask server through your firewall.
We need to open ports 8777 and 27015. If you set a custom port above, then forward that.
If you’re using a third-party antivirus with a firewall; you’ll need to look into how to open the ports.
If you’re using Windows Firewall (by default) then run the following commands in an Administrator Powershell window.
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If you ever wish to remove your Firewall rules for this, run the command: Remove-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Soulmask Server"
This will open all of the ports and allow people on the same local network as you to connect to your server while it’s running.
All you need is your local IP address.
To get your local IP:
- Run the following in a terminal/CMD/powershell window:
ipconfig - Find the way you’re connected to the internet, for example
Ethernet adapter Ethernet - Find the
IPv4address and copy it - For example, your local IP is
192.168.1.10
Other devices can use this local IP address to connect to your server. Note: This is a LOCAL IP, and your server is not yet accessible over the internet or even routers outside of your own… That’s where we need to
Port Forward
Using your Local IP address we found above (and allowed ports through to) - We need to send traffic from these two ports to our computer.
If you’re using multiple routers in a chain before your computer reaches your fiber box/access box: You’ll need to port forward each router to the next until you finally port forward to your computer.
Port forwarding varies wildly from router to router, and you can look up guides specifically for your router. Essentially you’ll need to forward ports 8777 and 27015 for both TCP and UDP. If you have an option to choose both TCP/UDP it may be a good idea.
On some routers you can enter ports comma-seperated such as 8777,27015, and even select TCP/UDP instead of needing to create a rule for each type.
Let’s say you have just ONE router between you and the internet (Example: You’re connected directly to the fiber box), you’ll port forward as follows:
- Ports:
8777,27015 - Type:
TCP/UDP - Destination:
192.168.1.10
Now you’re done port forwarding.
Letting others join
At this point you’ve allowed local traffic and over the internet to reach your Soulmask server. All you need to do is let others join by checking the Server Browser in-game, or by getting your external IP address by Google searching “What is my IP”.
Usually it’ll take 5 to 15 minutes for it to show in the public server list, but to join immediately you’ll need to connect using the Direct Connect button on the Join Game page. You will need to do this anyway if you told the server not to show on the public list in the configuration files (It doesn’t show on the list by default).
In the Address area you’ll be typing in 127.0.0.1 and 8777 in the port area, if you’re connecting on the same computer, you’re hosting the server on.
Otherwise you can enter in the local ip address if it’s on the same network, or the external ip address, if you connect into someone over the Internet.
It all depends on your current setup. When you click OK, it should be added to your list and you can select it followed by connect to launch up your game.
Now you can join and play as you like.
Have fun!
