Updated: July 2025
Applies to: Survive the Nights Dedicated Server Hosting
File Location: Usually found in ...\Config\ServerConfig.txt
What is ServerConfig.txt?
The ServerConfig.txt file is the heart of your Survive the Nights game server. It allows server administrators to fine-tune gameplay elements such as zombies, loot, weather, vehicles, PvP, and much more.
This guide explains each available setting in the file and offers tips for creating the best custom survival experience possible for your players.
File Format & Syntax
- Lines starting with
// are comments and are ignored by the server.
- Each setting follows this format:
SettingName=Value
- Example:
serverName=MyApocalypseServer
- Strings must not include spaces unless enclosed in quotation marks.
Connections Settings
| Setting |
Description |
| serverName |
Display name of your server. Required. |
| serverPassword |
Optional password for private servers. |
| UseSteamRelays |
Enables Steam relay usage (for NAT traversal). |
| useUpnp |
Enables automatic port forwarding. |
| serverIP |
IP address to bind the server to. |
| serverPort |
Main game port (default: 7950). |
| queryPort |
Used for server queries. Set 0 to auto-assign. |
| showInPublicLobby |
Set true to list your server publicly. |
| serverOwner |
Your SteamID64 – get it at steamid.io. |
Time & Weather Configuration
| Setting |
Description |
| progressTime |
Enables real-time day/night cycle. |
| dayCycleInMinutes |
Duration of one full day-night cycle. |
| timePersistence |
Resume in-game time after server restart. |
| startingHour |
Hour of day on server start. |
| randomWeather |
Enables random weather events. |
| startingWeather |
Default weather (0=sunny, 1=light rain... up to 6=snowstorm). |
| startingMonth |
Sets starting month (1–12). |
| moonPosition |
Sets moon's starting phase. |
Loot Settings
| Setting |
Description |
| lootSpawnRate |
Global loot rate (0=none, 3=high). |
| lootRespawn |
Enable periodic loot respawn. |
| lootSpawnFrequency |
Minutes between loot spawns. |
| lootSpawnCondition |
Condition for loot to spawn. |
| startingComponentsAmount |
Components in generators and panels (0–3). |
| initialFuelAmount |
Fuel present in machines/vehicles. |
| fuelEfficiency |
Controls fuel consumption speed. |
| powerStationShutoff |
Hours until power shuts off automatically. |
| allowItemOwnership |
Enables item ownership. |
| itemDecaySystem |
Enable per-item decay system. |
| globalItemDecaySystem |
Enable decay globally. |
Vehicle Settings
| Setting |
Description |
| vehicleSpawnRate |
Vehicle spawn multiplier (0–9). |
| vehicleRespawn |
Enable vehicle respawning. |
| vehicleSpawnFrequency |
Minutes between vehicle spawns. |
| vehicleSpawnCondition |
Spawn condition logic. |
| vehicleDamageRate |
Multiplier for damage taken. |
| vehicleStartingComponentsAmount |
Number of components in vehicles. |
| vehicleStartingFuelAmount |
Fuel amount on vehicle spawn. |
| vehicleAlarms |
Enable/disable car alarms. |
Zombie Settings
| Setting |
Description |
| zombieAmount |
Zombie density (0–5). |
| zombieStructureRespawnRate |
Respawn rate in structures. |
| zombieMinHealth |
Minimum zombie health. |
| zombieMaxHealth |
Maximum zombie health. |
| zombieStrength |
Base damage multiplier. |
| zombieVision |
How far zombies can see. |
| zombieHearing |
How far zombies can hear. |
| zombiefortificationAttackDamage |
Damage to fortifications. |
| zombieHeadshotsOnly |
Only headshots kill zombies. |
| zombieDayRunnerFrequency |
Runner chance during day. |
| zombieNightRunnerFrequency |
Runner chance at night. |
| zombieRunnerSpeedDay |
Runner speed during day. |
| zombieRunnerSpeedNight |
Runner speed at night. |
| zombieDroppedItems |
Items dropped on death. |
Horde Mode Settings
| Setting |
Description |
| HordeMode |
Enable nightly horde system. |
| hordeDifficulty |
0=off, 1=easy, 2=med, 3=hard. |
| hordeFrequency |
Days between horde attacks. |
| hordeAvoidanceAllowed |
Allow avoiding horde events. |
| hordeStartSync |
Synchronize horde start time. |
| hordeNightOverride |
Force night mode during horde. |
| HordeRunnerFrequency |
Runner spawn rate during horde. |
| HordeRunnerSpeed |
Speed of horde runners. |
| HordeConstantHordesMode |
Enable wave-based hordes. |
| HordeConstantStartDelay |
Delay before first wave. |
| HordeConstantWaitTime |
Delay between waves. |
Wildlife Settings
| Setting |
Description |
| chickenAmount |
Chicken spawn count. |
| stagAmount |
Stag spawn count. |
| foxAmount |
Fox spawn count. |
Player Settings
| Setting |
Description |
| playerInitialSpawnLocation |
Initial spawn zone. |
| playerRespawnLocation |
How respawns are handled. |
| playerSleepingBagRespawn |
Respawn using sleeping bags. |
| playerItemsOnDeath |
What players drop on death. |
| playerNutrition |
Enable nutrition/hydration. |
| playerNutritionDifficulty |
Difficulty of nutrition system. |
| playerStaminaDrainRate |
Rate stamina drains. |
| playerStaminaRecoveryRate |
Rate stamina recovers. |
| playerStaminaMode |
Normal vs. hardcore stamina. |
| playerStartingOverallHealth |
Starting total health. |
| playerStartingHealth |
Spawn HP level. |
| playerStartingHydration |
Spawn hydration level. |
| playerStartingCals |
Calories at spawn. |
| playerStartingSickness |
Sickness value at spawn. |
| playerStartingMentalHealth |
Initial mental health. |
| playerLogOffNearZombies |
Log-off penalty setting. |
| playerStartingItems |
Comma-separated item list. |
| playerSavedLockCodes |
Preset lock codes. |
Miscellaneous Settings
| Setting |
Description |
| tutorialBehaviour |
Enable/disable tutorials. |
| newLifeMessage |
Spawn message. |
| weaponWear |
Weapon durability rate. |
| allowMapUsage |
Use map feature. |
| requireMapItem |
Require item to use map. |
| requireCompassItem |
Require item to show compass. |
| useCraftLeveling |
Enable crafting leveling system. |
Multiplayer & PvP Settings
| Setting |
Description |
| allowMultiplayer |
Enable multiplayer mode. |
| welcomeMessage |
First-time login message. |
| recurringWelcomeMessage |
Repeats each login. |
| showLoginMessages |
Show join/leave notices. |
| showDeathMessages |
Show death messages. |
| pvpDisabled |
Disable all PvP. |
| selfDefenceEnabled |
Allow retaliation attacks. |
| mentalHealthPenalties |
Effect of PvP on mental health. |
| pvpDamageReduction |
Reduce PvP damage. |
| chatDistance |
Proximity chat range. |
| nameTagDistance |
Name visibility distance. |
| growRate |
How fast crops grow. |
| workshopID |
Workshop mod integration. |
| fortificationToolEfficiency |
Tool efficiency for building. |
| fortificationStartingStrength |
Initial wall strength. |
| containerLoot |
Loot in crates/containers. |
| hordeSyncNights |
Synchronize horde timings. |
| playerStartingAttributePoints |
Points available at start. |
| playerAttributePointsPerLevel |
Level-up reward. |
| playerFriendVisibility |
Map friend visibility. |
| singlePlayer |
Enable solo play mode. |
| forcedSpawnPoint |
Force spawn at a location. |
| resetScenarioAfterSession |
Reset game state on logout. |
Tips for Server Owners
- Always back up your
ServerConfig.txt before editing.
- Use steamid.io to get your correct SteamID64.
- Test changes before launching public servers.
- Balance zombie, loot, and vehicle settings for ideal gameplay.
Conclusion
Whether you're building a PvE co-op server or a hardcore PvP survival experience, the ServerConfig.txt file gives you full control over your Survive the Nights gameplay.
Need a Survive the Nights server?
GG Host delivers high performance, low latency servers and reliable support so your community can build, defend, and survive every night with confidence. Order your Survive the Nights server now: https://www.gghost.games/store/survivethenights
