The new survival game Palworld took the gaming world by storm, skyrocketing in popularity despite its unconventional premise (you can make cute creatures called Pals fight each other). With millions rushing to play at once, even the developers at Pocketpair were overwhelmed – warnings of crashes and connection issues plaster Palworld’s startup screen.
While public multiplayer servers are buckling under the strain, players are finding workarounds by creating their own private servers. Let’s quickly cover the gameplay formats:
Singleplayer mode is a solo, offline experience where you’re left to explore Palworld however you wish. Simple, but lonely.
Private multiplayer allows up to four friends to connect directly and play cooperatively. Very stable, but limited in scope.
Public servers let you join massive open worlds with other players. Convenient since they’re run by the devs, but prone to wiping player progress.
Dedicated servers are hosted independently, supporting up to 32 players with no wipes as long as the host keeps it running. Reliant on the host’s internet and tech chops, but the most popular option now.
Each format has tradeoffs based on your priorities. But dedicated servers are emerging as the favorite way to play with buddies long-term.
The hosting requirements are significant, but the payoff is an open Palworld that’s yours to control. Players are pooling resources to launch their own servers, customizing gameplay mods and fostering tight-knit communities.
Table of Contents
How to set up a dedicated server on Palworld
Step 1. First, enable the “Tools” tab in your Steam library and download Palworld’s Dedicated Server tool (about 5GB). Run it once to generate a unique server ID number.
Step 2. Next, you’ll need to open ports on your router to allow external connections – this varies by router model, so search your specific one. Forward port 8211, the default. Choose another port if you prefer, just edit it later in the WorldSettings file.
Step 3. With ports open, launch the Server tool on a separate machine from your gaming PC, ideally with 16GB RAM and a strong processor. This will run persistently to host games.
Step 4. Give friends your public IP address plus the port (like 123.456.789.123:8211) to direct them to your server.
Step 5. To join, Palworld players click “Multiplayer Game”, enter your address, and click “Connect”.
Step 6. For you as host, use your private “localhost” IP and chosen port instead to connect your gaming PC.
Once in, you’ve got free reign to mod gameplay, build epic bases, and goof off with buddies without fear of random shutdowns!
Alternative options like SteamCMD or rented servers work too, but this method is straight from Pocketpair. The hardware requirements are significant, but the payoff is a virtual Palworld that’s truly your own.
So rally your crew, grease those technical gears, and claim your corner of this delightfully weird game! Your Pals will thank you for it.
