How to Host a Soulmask Server in 2026: Self-Hosting and Setup Guide

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To host a Soulmask server, install its dedicated-server files with SteamCMD, launch the server with the right map and settings, and allow its game and query traffic through your firewall. A third-party guide updated June 6, 2026 lists UDP ports 8777 and 27015 and recommends at least 16 GB of RAM, with 24 GB or more as a roomier baseline. You can run the server on your own Windows or Linux machine, or use a managed game-server host if you would rather not maintain the machine and network yourself.

This guide walks through the self-hosted setup first, then explains what to check when choosing a managed option. Soulmask commands and server behavior can change with patches, so treat the command details below as the June 2026 guide’s instructions—not as a guarantee that every argument remains current.

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Choose self-hosting or a managed server

Self-hosting means you supply the machine and handle installation, firewall and router configuration, updates, restarts, and backups. It offers direct access to the server files and gameplay settings, but your players can only join reliably when the host machine and network are available and correctly configured.

A managed server shifts machine maintenance to a provider. You still need to confirm that its Soulmask service supports the map, configuration, and player access you want. Current plan prices, allocated resources, and which providers support linked two-map clusters are not established here; verify those details with a provider before paying.

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Steam’s store description confirms that Soulmask supports private servers with custom rules. That makes a private world an intended way to play, but it does not by itself establish the current setup or features of a particular hosting provider.

Check the hardware before you install

A GAMES.GG setup guide updated June 6, 2026 recommends 16 GB of RAM as a minimum for a dedicated server and 24 GB or more for additional headroom. It advises allowing more memory headroom if you plan to run two maps. These are guide recommendations, not independent server-capacity benchmarks; they do not establish how many players a machine can support.

Available sources do not provide a tested player-capacity estimate or a complete CPU, storage, and bandwidth sizing formula. Do not infer a safe player count from RAM alone. Check how much memory is actually free while the server is running, particularly if you use the host computer to play the game or run other services.

If you are upgrading a self-hosting PC, compare its available memory and compatibility with your motherboard and other components before buying anything. A 32 GB desktop memory kit may be one possible upgrade to investigate, but no particular memory generation or kit is established as suitable for every system. Avoid buying based only on the game’s client requirement or the server guide’s baseline.

Install the server files with SteamCMD

The June 2026 GAMES.GG guide lists separate SteamCMD App IDs for Windows and Linux. Its Windows example uses anonymous login, sets an installation folder, downloads the app, validates the files, and exits:

steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir C:SoulmaskServer +app_update 3017310 validate +quit

The command and App IDs below are reported by that guide; they are not independently verified here against current official server documentation. Confirm the correct App ID and command behavior after major Soulmask updates. The guide lists App ID 3017310 for Windows and 3017300 for Linux.

1. Choose the operating system. Use Windows or Linux, both covered by the guide. Match the App ID to the operating system on which the server files will run.
2. Create an installation directory. The Windows example uses C:SoulmaskServer. Choose a folder with enough free storage and make a note of its location.
3. Place or install SteamCMD. Open SteamCMD from its installation location. The example assumes the executable is named steamcmd.exe; adjust the path if yours differs.
4. Run the update command. For the guide’s Windows example, use the command shown above. The +force_install_dir argument selects where the server files go; +app_update requests the listed app; validate checks the files; and +quit exits SteamCMD after the operation.
5. Check the result before launching. Confirm that the files have been installed in the directory you selected. If SteamCMD reports an error, check the executable path, install-folder permissions, network access, and App ID before repeating the update.

The command shown is a Windows example, not a Linux command. The source information gives the Linux App ID but not a complete Linux shell command, so do not copy the Windows syntax unchanged into a Linux terminal.

Launch the server with a map and server settings

The June 2026 guide describes a Windows launch example using the Level01_Main map, a server mode flag, game and query port arguments, a server name, a player limit, join and admin passwords, and a PvE setting. It does not provide a complete launch line here, and server arguments may change between patches. Use the current files and instructions for your installed version to assemble the command rather than treating an old example as a guaranteed working command.

When you configure the launch arguments, check each of these values:

• Map: Level01_Main is the map name given for Cloud Mist Forest.
• Game port: The guide uses port 8777.
• Query port: The guide uses port 27015.
• Server name: Choose a recognizable name so invited players can identify the world.
• Player limit: Set a limit appropriate to your group and machine, without assuming the RAM figures establish a tested capacity.
• Join and admin passwords: Use private, distinct passwords rather than leaving example credentials in place. Share the join password only with intended players, and protect administrator access.
• Gameplay mode: The guide’s example includes -pve. Confirm that this flag and the desired mode remain supported by your game version.

Start the server and check its output for errors before asking players to connect. If the process exits, verify the installation path, map name, ports, and launch syntax for the installed version. Avoid troubleshooting by changing several arguments at once; changing one value per attempt makes it easier to identify a mistake.

Open the required network ports

For the ports listed by the June 2026 guide, allow the required traffic through the server computer’s operating-system firewall. If the machine is behind a home router and players outside your home network must connect, forward the game and query ports to the server’s local network address as well. A firewall rule on the PC does not automatically configure the router, and router forwarding does not override a blocked operating-system firewall rule.

The source material identifies the ports and protocols but does not give platform-specific firewall screens, router instructions, or a guarantee that the values remain unchanged in later game versions. Consult your operating system and router documentation for the exact steps, and verify current Soulmask requirements if connections fail after an update.

Set gameplay rules after the first launch

Run the server once before looking for the gameplay configuration file. According to the June 2026 guide, the first run creates GameXishu.json at WS/Saved/GameplaySettings/GameXishu.json. The guide says the file contains tunable gameplay values.

1. Launch the server and let the initial startup complete so its settings files can be created.
2. Stop the server cleanly before editing the file. Do not change a live settings file while the server is writing to it.
3. Open WS/Saved/GameplaySettings/GameXishu.json in a text editor and adjust only values you understand.
4. Save the file, then start the server again and verify that it loads without an error.

The available instructions do not enumerate the JSON keys or explain every value, so do not assume a key name or valid range. Keep a copy of the original file before editing; if the server fails to start or a setting behaves unexpectedly, stop the server and restore that copy.

Run two maps and enable cross-map travel

The June 2026 guide identifies Cloud Mist Forest as Level01_Main and Shifting Sands as DLC_Level01_Main. Cross-map travel is not simply a matter of choosing one map name: the guide describes using separate server instances with unique ports and cluster settings. Each instance needs its own configuration and must be reachable by the intended players.

• Plan for two running instances, one per map, rather than expecting one server process to host both maps simultaneously.
• Assign each instance distinct ports so their network traffic does not conflict. The guide does not provide a complete two-instance port map, so verify the current cluster instructions instead of guessing which additional ports to change.
• Configure the cluster settings according to the current game version so both instances participate in the same cross-map setup.
• Account for additional memory headroom. The guide specifically recommends more room when hosting two maps, but it does not give an exact per-instance allocation or performance benchmark.

The guide reports that a DLC claim window ran from April 10 to May 10, 2026. That period has passed; it does not establish current Shifting Sands access or whether a new claim offer exists. Check the game’s current store and update information before building a plan around the DLC map.

Maintain the world and protect access

A private server still needs routine care. For self-hosting, decide who can reach the machine, who can administer the world, and how you will recover if an update or settings change causes a problem.

• Protect credentials. Use non-default join and administrator passwords, and do not publish administrator credentials in a community post or server listing.
• Limit management ports. In particular, keep Telnet local as the guide advises. Review any exposed RCON access before inviting players.
• Back up before changes. Copy the world and settings files before major updates or configuration edits. The source material does not specify an automatic self-hosted backup mechanism.
• Plan updates and restarts. Stop the server cleanly before maintenance, update its files, and check that it starts and loads the expected map before opening access to players.
• Recheck after patches. Installation IDs, command-line arguments, ports, and settings behavior are patch-sensitive according to the available setup information.

Troubleshoot common connection and startup problems

Players cannot join from outside your home

Confirm that the server is running, that UDP 8777 is allowed by its firewall, and that your router forwards the port to the correct local machine. Check UDP 27015 as well if query or server-list visibility is the issue. A server reachable on the same home network may still be unreachable from outside if router forwarding is missing or points to the wrong device.

The server does not appear in a browser

Check the query port, UDP 27015, along with the server process and firewall rules. Query visibility and direct game connectivity are related but distinct: the guide associates 27015 with Steam query and listing and 8777 with game connections. Confirm the current port behavior for your version before changing additional settings.

The server exits during startup

Review the startup output, then check the install directory, map name, launch arguments, and whether the server files were successfully updated. If you recently edited GameXishu.json, restore your saved copy to test whether the change caused the failure.

Players can connect, but the desired rules do not apply

Confirm that the server has completed its first run and that you edited the correct WS/Saved/GameplaySettings/GameXishu.json file. Stop the server before editing, verify the JSON remains valid, and restart it to load the saved values.

Cross-map travel does not work

Check that both map instances are running, use the correct map names, and have distinct ports. Then verify that the cluster settings match the current instructions for your Soulmask version. The available setup details do not provide enough information to prescribe exact cluster keys or a complete port layout.

The fastest way: a hosted server

If you do not want to maintain a machine, firewall, and router, a managed Soulmask server is an alternative. Godlike.Host offers Soulmask servers on its own Pterodactyl-based game panel, with free DDoS protection, up to three free backups a day with restore, and SFTP/FTP file access; see the current plans, and ask about two-map support first if you want cross-map travel. Compare providers’ current plans, support, backup policies, locations, and Soulmask-specific features before choosing one.

Before ordering, confirm the provider’s DDoS protection, control panel features, file access, server specifications, and whether it supports your intended Soulmask map or cluster setup. Features listed for other games may not apply to Soulmask.

Setup times, guarantees, ratings, and prices can vary by provider and over time. Check current terms, reviews, and plans directly before relying on them.

Questions to ask before paying

Hosting is a recurring expense, while self-hosting may involve an upfront hardware purchase and ongoing electricity costs. Current provider prices have not been verified, and it is not established which option is cheaper for a particular household. Compare the total cost over the period you expect to play, not just a headline monthly price, and confirm what the plan actually allocates.

• Does the provider currently support Soulmask, and can it run the map you want?
• If you want cross-map travel, can the provider run two linked instances with separate ports and cluster settings?
• How much memory is allocated, and what happens if your setup needs more?
• Can you reach the control panel and server files, edit gameplay settings, and control restarts?
• How are backups handled, how often are they made, and can you restore one yourself?
• Where is the server located, and how are updates and downtime communicated?

Names such as G-Portal and ClawCloud appear in a community-maintained wiki lead, but current support, features, pricing, and affiliate availability have not been verified. Treat provider names as leads to check, not recommendations. A server-manager project also exists, but it has not been hands-on tested; do not assume that it is compatible with the current release.

What to verify before inviting players

• The server starts with the map and gameplay mode you intend to use.
• The join password works, and administrator credentials are kept private.
• UDP 8777 is allowed and, for home hosting, forwarded to the right machine.
• UDP 27015 is configured if Steam query or browser visibility is needed.
• Telnet is not exposed to the public internet.
• There is a backup or restore plan before updates and settings changes.
• If using two maps, both instances, their unique ports, and cluster settings are configured for the current game version.

Steam’s published RAM requirements are for the game client; server planning figures here come from the June 2026 GAMES.GG guide. Neither source establishes server capacity for a particular number of players. Start with the machine and settings you can maintain, then verify behavior with your actual group rather than treating a memory figure as a player-count promise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I host a private Soulmask server for friends?

Yes. Steam’s store description explicitly says players can run a private server with custom rules. You can self-host using dedicated-server files or use a managed provider, but verify that a provider currently supports your desired map and configuration.

What ports does a Soulmask server need?

The June 2026 setup guide lists UDP 8777 for game connections and UDP 27015 for Steam query and listing. It also lists TCP 18888 for Telnet and TCP 19000 for RCON. Keep Telnet restricted to local access, and recheck ports after game updates.

How much RAM do I need to host Soulmask?

The June 2026 third-party server guide recommends 16 GB minimum and 24 GB or more for additional headroom, especially if running two maps. Steam’s 16 GB minimum and 24 GB recommended figures are for the game client, not server benchmarks. None of these figures establishes a guaranteed player count.

Can one Soulmask server host both maps with cross-map travel?

The guide describes two separate linked instances: Cloud Mist Forest uses Level01_Main, and Shifting Sands uses DLC_Level01_Main. They need unique ports and compatible cluster settings. Check the current version’s instructions and Shifting Sands access conditions; the reported DLC claim window of April 10–May 10, 2026 has passed.

Is self-hosting cheaper than renting a Soulmask server?

There is no verified current price comparison. Self-hosting can involve hardware and electricity costs, while managed hosting has provider plan charges. Compare current costs, allocated memory, map and cluster support, backups, file access, location, and maintenance responsibilities before deciding.

The Bottom Line

For a small private Soulmask world, start by comparing your machine with the guide’s 16 GB minimum and 24 GB-plus headroom recommendation, then install the correct SteamCMD server files and configure UDP 8777 and 27015. Run the server once before editing gameplay settings, keep Telnet private, and verify patch-sensitive commands and ports. If you prefer not to manage the machine and network, compare current managed-host plans directly—especially if you need two linked map instances.

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