Knowledgebase

How to Install Project Zomboid on AnonVM: A Complete Guide

Project Zomboid is an open-world, sandbox survival game set in a zombie apocalypse. Hosting your own Project Zomboid server on AnonVM allows you to create a custom environment for you and your friends to survive together in a world overrun by zombies. Whether you want to host a private server or open it to the community, this guide will walk you through the installation and configuration process.

Prerequisites

Before starting the installation, ensure that you have the following:

• AnonVM VPS or Dedicated Server: A server with root or sudo access.
• Operating System: This tutorial assumes you’re using Ubuntu or CentOS.
• SSH Access: You'll need SSH access to your server to run commands.
• Steam Account: You'll need a Steam account to purchase and download Project Zomboid.

Step 1: Update Your System

Before installing any software, update your server’s packages to ensure that you’re using the latest security patches and updates.

For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:

For CentOS-based systems:

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Project Zomboid requires Java and some additional libraries. Install them with the following commands.

For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:

For CentOS-based systems:

Step 3: Install SteamCMD (Steam Command Line Tool)

SteamCMD is a command-line tool used to install and update games from Steam. Project Zomboid is available through Steam, so we’ll use SteamCMD to install it.

1. Create a new directory for SteamCMD:

    

   mkdir -v /opt/steamcmd cd /opt/steamcmd

2. Download SteamCMD:

    

   wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

3. Extract the SteamCMD archive:

    

   tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

4. Now, navigate into the SteamCMD directory:

    

   cd /opt/steamcmd

Step 4: Install Project Zomboid Server

Once SteamCMD is installed, use it to install the Project Zomboid server files.

1. Run SteamCMD:

    

   ./steamcmd.sh

2. Log in to SteamCMD with your Steam account. You can either log in anonymously or with your account credentials.

   • To log in anonymously:

      

     login anonymous

   • If you log in with your account:

      

     login your_steam_username your_steam_password

3. Set the installation directory for Project Zomboid. For example:

    

   force_install_dir /opt/projectzomboid

4. Install Project Zomboid:

    

   app_update 380870 validate

   This will download and install the Project Zomboid server.

5. Exit SteamCMD once the installation is complete:

    

   quit

Step 5: Configure Project Zomboid Server

After installing the server, you need to configure it.

1. Navigate to the Project Zomboid server directory:

    

   cd /opt/projectzomboid

2. Locate the configuration file servertest.ini in the Zomboid/Server folder. If it doesn't exist, create one.

3. Edit the configuration file:

    

   nano /opt/projectzomboid/Zomboid/Server/servertest.ini

4. Customize the server settings to your preference. Here are a few key parameters:

   • ServerName: Set the name of your server.
   • Password: If you want your server to be password-protected, set a password.
   • Public: Set whether your server is listed publicly or not.
   • MaxPlayers: Define the maximum number of players allowed.

   Example configuration:

    

   [Server] ServerName = My Project Zomboid Server MaxPlayers = 16 Password = your_password_here Public = true

5. Save and exit the file (CTRL + X, then Y to confirm).

Step 6: Start the Project Zomboid Server

To start the Project Zomboid server, execute the following command:

This script will launch the Project Zomboid server using the configuration you just set up.

Step 7: Set Up Automatic Startup (Optional)

To ensure the Project Zomboid server starts automatically when your server reboots, you can configure it as a systemd service.

1. Create a systemd service file:

    

   sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/projectzomboid.service

2. Add the following content:

    

   [Unit] Description=Project Zomboid Server After=network.target [Service] Type=simple WorkingDirectory=/opt/projectzomboid ExecStart=/opt/projectzomboid/start-server.sh User=your_user Restart=always [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target

   Replace your_user with your actual user name.

3. Save and close the file.

4. Reload systemd to apply the changes:

    

   sudo systemctl daemon-reload

5. Enable the service to start on boot:

    

   sudo systemctl enable projectzomboid

6. Start the Project Zomboid server as a service:

    

   sudo systemctl start projectzomboid

7. Verify the server is running:

    

   sudo systemctl status projectzomboid

Step 8: Connect to the Project Zomboid Server

To connect to your Project Zomboid server, launch the game and navigate to Multiplayer > Join. Enter your server’s IP address and the port (by default, Project Zomboid uses port 16261).

Step 9: Secure Your Server (Optional)

For additional security, ensure that your server is protected from unauthorized access:

• Firewall: Open the necessary ports in your firewall.
  • By default, Project Zomboid uses port 16261 (UDP) for game traffic.
• Password Protection: Ensure that the Password field in your servertest.ini file is filled if you don’t want an open server.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured Project Zomboid on your AnonVM server. Whether you're hosting a private multiplayer session or opening your server to the community, you now have a fully functional Project Zomboid server ready to use.

Key Takeaways:

• Project Zomboid Server provides full control over your gaming environment.
• Systemd Service ensures automatic server startup on reboot.
• Security: Always secure your server using a firewall and password protection.

Now you can enjoy Project Zomboid with your friends in a custom multiplayer environment! Happy surviving