As previously stated, this guide will Show you how to create, customize and mod a private server. For free!

DISCLAIMER: I have NOT tested this on public. I am not confident on how to host a public server. This guide may not be applicable for hosting a public server.



With that out of the way, let's start setting up a server!

This part will guide you through the basic steps to get the server working.

First, press Host.











You should be met with this screen.
















Press Manage Settings.
Officially they are called 'Settings' but each 'Setting' represents a multiplayer save file.

Now press Create New Settings.
Name it what you will.
i.e. Super Deathmode, Cool Gang, Friend Apocalypse.

Once you give it a name, press Next.
This is the beautiful configuration screen. I hope you like it, because you'll have to see it every single time you need to tweak something.





















From there, your server is (technically) ready to play.
Next, a BIG list of what all these adjustable values do. You can skip ahead to the next section if you don't want to read that.

• Default Port: tbh i don't really know what this does. Don't touch it and everything should be fine.
  
• Public Name: This is obvious.
  
• Public Description, Public, Password: I believe their functions are obvious.
  
• PauseEmpty: Usually you'll want this box checked. If it is off, game time will continue to flow without anyone logged in. The player characters will not be in the world though.
  
• ResetID: Read the mouse-over description. You probably won't need to worry about this if you're just doing a quick game or game with friends.
  
• Skipping to the 'Spawn Regions' tab as most of these in between either have mouse-over descriptions that explain them or you don't need to touch them
  
• Spawn Regions: Here you can edit where players are allowed to spawn when creating a character. Map mods that have a spawnpoint usually get auto-added to this list.
  
• Skipping to 'Players' tab's 'SpawnItems': In this text field you can add item IDs that new characters will spawn with. e.g. Base.Bleach, Base.Pan, Base.Bandage

You know i just realized that there's nothing i really need to write on this list.
Comment a setting you'd like to know about and i'll add what i know about it to the list.

Note: Images for this section are currently unavailable. I plan to add some, though.

This section will show you how to mod your server, whether it's a QOL like Weapon Condition Indicator or something challenging like Night Sprinters.


Firstly, Exit back to the main menu.

Before continuing, i recommend downloading Mod Manager: Server and it's dependencies.
It's not required, but it makes this process easier and can save you a lot of trouble.
Mod Manager: Server Requires Mod Manager, Which is simply a QOL overhaul for the mod browser.


Then, click Mods.



Welcome to the mod browser!!! where all your dreams come true.

Download and enable all of the mods you want to use in your server.
Only the host needs to do this, and only when they want to configure said mods.
Clients connecting to a modded server will be asked to download missing mods, and they will be temporarily enabled for the client's time on the server.

If you downloaded Mod Manager: Server, read this last part. Otherwise, skip to the next section.




Enable Mod Manager And Mod Manager: Server, then confirm. Let it finish loading (visible by 'Reloading LUA' in top right), then re-enter the mod browser. You'll see the overhaul, but in the bottom right of the menu, click Server.
Then, select a 'Settings', which i remind you represents a multiplayer save file. From there, just enable and disable mods like you would normally. they will be automatically added to the server. Just make sure you press save.

Just skip this if you are going to use Mod Manager: Server.

Otherwise, keep reading.

Go to Main Menu>Host>Manage Settings.
Select the 'Settings' AKA server that you want to edit.
Click Edit Settings.

Open the 'Steam Workshop' tab, located under INI.
Add the desired mods, and Make sure you include their dependencies!
You can do this by searching through the drop-down menu to find the ones you want, or you can manually insert their IDs in the text field.
Ensure the mods were properly added by checking the 'Mods' tab.
Make sure that any map mods were added properly by checking the 'Maps' tab.

Note: Mod Manager: Server makes this easier by automatically adding the mod dependencies, and generally making it all work without fail, of course unless there are mod conflicts.


BE SURE TO PRESS 'SAVE'!

And with that, the mods (should) be (mostly) working.

So, by now you should have it all configured and ready to go.
Now, you just need to join it.


From the main menu, press Host.

Select the 'Settings' (server) that you want to host, via the drop down menu on the left.

Press Start.

The server is now starting. This process can take a while, so be patient.

If it's being absurdly long, you can press abort and try to troubleshoot.
(Sometimes mods can break things or slow it down)

Once the server finishes loading, you should be able to create a character and start playing PZ on your server.

Once you have loaded in with your character, press 'Escape'.

Then, press Invite Friends.

After that, Double-click to quickly send your friend(s) a steam invite.

Once they accept the invite, they should automatically launch (if needed) PZ, begin connecting to the server, (which can also take a while) download missing mods, and finally they should be able to create a character, join the game world and be playing the same server that you are.

If you are having trouble finding your friends, there is an option in the server config that allows you to see eachother's positions on the map.

Thank you for reading (or skipping, i guess...) my Guide!
I hope it helped you.





Hmm.
I was going to ask for awards, likes etc. but... do i need them that bad? Do i need a silly cosmetic for my profile?

I don't know if steam has some kind of algorithm. If it does though, liking the guide might help other people solve their problems.



A message to decipher (I have no idea if this actually means something, i made it up):

Yi Dri Lawndairy