How to Host an Unturned Server on Linux

How to Host an Unturned Server on Linux

Unturned is a free-to-play survival game with a thriving multiplayer community. Hosting a dedicated server on your Breeze instance lets you run custom maps, modded experiences, and persistent worlds for your community at no game license cost.

System Requirements

Unturned servers are lightweight. A Breeze instance with 2 CPU cores, 2 GB of RAM, and 8 GB of storage is sufficient for standard servers. Heavily modded or high-player-count servers should allocate 4 GB of RAM.

Installing the Server

Create a dedicated user and install via SteamCMD:

sudo useradd -m -r -s /bin/bash unturned
sudo apt install -y steamcmd lib32gcc-s1
sudo su - unturned
mkdir -p ~/unturned_server
steamcmd +force_install_dir ~/unturned_server \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 1110390 validate \
  +quit

Server Configuration

Create the server directory structure and configuration:

mkdir -p ~/unturned_server/Servers/MyServer

Create Commands.dat in the server directory with your startup configuration:

name MyUnturnedServer
port 27015
maxplayers 24
map PEI
mode normal
perspective both
password your-password
welcome Welcome to our Unturned server on Kazepute Breeze!

Starting the Server

Launch the server using the provided script:

cd ~/unturned_server
./ServerHelper.sh +InternetServer/MyServer

The server will load the specified map and begin accepting connections.

Firewall Setup

Unturned requires several ports to be open:

sudo ufw allow 27015/udp
sudo ufw allow 27016/udp
sudo ufw allow 27017/udp
sudo ufw reload

The game uses a base port plus two additional consecutive ports for Steam queries and communication.

Workshop Mods

Add Workshop content by creating a WorkshopDownloadConfig.json file in your server directory:

{
  "File_IDs": [
    1234567890,
    9876543210
  ]
}

The server will download and apply these mods automatically on startup. You can add maps, vehicles, weapons, and gameplay overhaul mods.

Rocket Mod (Optional)

RocketMod is a popular modding framework that adds plugin support, permissions, and economy systems to your server. Install it by placing the Rocket module files in your server’s Modules directory. Popular plugins include:

• Kits — starter gear packages for new players
• Home — teleportation to saved locations
• Shop — in-game economy and item shops
• Permissions — role-based access control for commands

Administration

Add yourself as an admin by placing your Steam64 ID in the console or adding it to the admins list. Useful admin commands include /ban, /kick, /tp, /give, and /weather. Monitor your server through the console output or set up RCON for remote management.

Performance Tips

• Tick rate — adjust the server tick rate based on your Breeze CPU capacity
• Object limits — set barricade and structure limits per player to prevent overbuilding
• Zombie spawns — reduce zombie count on lower-spec instances