This guide covers everything you need to set up and configure your Icarus dedicated server on Legion Hosting, including first start, GPanel startup variables, ServerSettings.ini configuration, prospect and session management, connecting to your server, and save management. For troubleshooting common issues, see Icarus Troubleshooting.
What Is Icarus
Icarus is a session-based survival game developed by RocketWerkz, the studio founded by Dean Hall (creator of DayZ). Set on an alien planet that was meant to be humanity's second home but became a hostile frontier after a failed terraforming attempt, players take on the role of Prospectors who drop to the planet's surface on timed missions called Prospects. Each Prospect has specific objectives, a time limit, and requires players to return to orbit before the timer expires -- or risk losing their character.
Key features of the dedicated server include:
- Support for up to 8 concurrent players per server
- Session-based gameplay with timed Prospects (missions) and permanent Outposts
- Open World mode for persistent, untimed exploration and settlement building
- Prospect management through server configuration and console commands
- Multiple difficulty levels from Easy to Extreme, with optional Hardcore mode (no respawns)
- Admin access via RCON commands
ServerSettings.ini. Changes made while the server is running will not take effect and may be overwritten.
First Start
When you first receive your Icarus server from Legion Hosting, it needs to complete an initial installation before it can be played on.
- Log in to GPanel and select your Icarus server from the server list.
- Click the Console tab and press Start.
- The server will download and install the Icarus dedicated server files via Steam. This initial download can take several minutes.
- Once the download completes, the server will start automatically. The
ServerSettings.iniconfiguration file is generated on first boot. - Wait until the console output indicates the server is ready and listening for connections.
ServerSettings.ini file is only created after the server has been started for the first time. If you need to edit settings, start the server once, stop it, then make your changes.
GPanel Startup Variables
Core server settings are configured as startup variables in GPanel. These values are passed as command-line parameters when the server launches.
- In GPanel, select your Icarus server.
- Click the Startup tab.
- Set the variables listed below. Changes take effect the next time you start or restart the server.
| Variable | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
SERVER_NAME |
My Icarus Server |
The name displayed in the server browser. Maps to the -SteamServerName launch parameter (limited to 64 characters). |
SERVER_PASSWORD |
(empty) | Password required for players to join. Leave empty for a public server. Maps to JoinPassword in config. |
MAX_PLAYERS |
8 |
Maximum number of simultaneous players. Icarus supports 1-8 players per server. |
ADMIN_PASSWORD |
(empty) | Password for RCON admin access. If left empty, admin login is available without a password via /AdminLogin in chat. |
GAME_PORT |
17777 |
The primary UDP port for game connections (-PORT parameter). Automatically configured by your hosting plan. |
QUERY_PORT |
27015 |
The UDP port used by Steam for server browser queries (-QueryPort parameter). Automatically configured. |
SessionName setting in ServerSettings.ini currently does not work for the server browser. You must use the -SteamServerName command-line parameter (set via the GPanel Startup tab) for your server name to appear correctly in the browser.
ServerSettings.ini Configuration
Detailed server settings are controlled through the ServerSettings.ini file. This is the primary configuration file for your Icarus server.
Locating the File
The configuration file is located at:
Icarus/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ServerSettings.iniAccess this file through the GPanel Files tab or via SFTP. All settings go under the [/Script/Icarus.DedicatedServerSettings] section header.
Full Settings Reference
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
SessionName |
(empty) | Server session name. Note: This setting currently does not affect the server browser display. Use the -SteamServerName command-line parameter instead. |
JoinPassword |
(empty) | Password required to join the server. Leave empty for a public server with no password. |
MaxPlayers |
(empty) | Maximum number of players (1-8). Leave empty to use the default maximum of 8. |
AdminPassword |
(empty) | Password for RCON admin commands. If left empty, any player can access admin commands via /AdminLogin. |
ShutdownIfNotJoinedFor |
300.000000 |
Seconds before the server shuts down if no player joins after startup. Set to a negative value (-1) to keep the server running indefinitely. 0 shuts down immediately. |
ShutdownIfEmptyFor |
300.000000 |
Seconds before the server shuts down after the last player leaves. Set to a negative value (-1) to keep running indefinitely. |
AllowNonAdminsToLaunchProspects |
True |
If True, any player can create and launch new Prospects. If False, only admins can start Prospects. |
AllowNonAdminsToDeleteProspects |
False |
If True, any player can delete saved Prospects. If False, only admins can delete them. |
LoadProspect |
(empty) | Name of a saved Prospect to load on server start. The Prospect file must exist in Saved/PlayerData/DedicatedServer/Prospects/. |
CreateProspect |
(empty) | Creates a new Prospect on server start. Format: [ProspectType] [Difficulty] [Hardcore] [SaveName] (see Prospect Management section). |
ResumeProspect |
True |
If True, the server automatically resumes the last active Prospect on startup. This is the recommended setting for persistent servers. |
LastProspectName |
(empty) | Automatically populated with the name of the most recently active Prospect. Do not edit this manually. |
Example ServerSettings.ini
[/Script/Icarus.DedicatedServerSettings]
SessionName=My Legion Server
JoinPassword=
MaxPlayers=8
AdminPassword=MySecretPassword
ShutdownIfNotJoinedFor=-1
ShutdownIfEmptyFor=600.000000
AllowNonAdminsToLaunchProspects=True
AllowNonAdminsToDeleteProspects=False
LoadProspect=
CreateProspect=
ResumeProspect=True
LastProspectName=-1 so the server stays running indefinitely. The same applies to ShutdownIfEmptyFor -- set to -1 to prevent automatic shutdown when the server is empty.
Command-Line Launch Parameters
In addition to the ServerSettings.ini file, Icarus supports command-line launch parameters. These are typically configured through the GPanel Startup tab or additional launch arguments field.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
-SteamServerName="Name" |
Server name displayed in the browser (64 character limit). This is the working method for setting the server name. |
-PORT=N |
Game server port (UDP). |
-QueryPort=N |
Steam query port for server browser. |
-MULTIHOME=IP |
Binds the server to a specific IP address (multi-homed servers only). |
-UserDir="path" |
Sets a custom base directory path for server data. |
-saveddirsuffix="suffix" |
Appends a suffix to the Saved/ directory, useful for running multiple instances. |
-LOG="filename" |
Sets log file path relative to Saved/Logs/. |
-ABSLOG="path" |
Sets an absolute path for the log file. |
Prospect and Session Management
Icarus uses a unique session-based system. Understanding Prospects is essential for managing your server effectively.
Prospect Types
Icarus offers several types of sessions (Prospects) that determine the gameplay experience:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Missions | Timed Prospects with specific objectives. Players drop to the surface, complete goals (construction, survey, expedition, etc.), and must return to orbit before the timer expires. Failing to evacuate means losing your character. |
| Outposts | Permanent, untimed settlements. Players can build persistent bases and return freely. No timer pressure. Ideal for casual play and base building. |
| Open World | A persistent, untimed open-world experience with exploration, combat, SMPL3 missions, and Operations. Includes world bosses and end-game content. |
Creating a Prospect
You can create a new Prospect using the CreateProspect setting in ServerSettings.ini or via the in-game console command. The format is:
CreateProspect [ProspectType] [Difficulty] [Hardcore] [SaveName]Parameters:
- ProspectType -- The internal name of the Prospect/mission to run (e.g., an Outpost or specific mission name).
- Difficulty -- A number from 1 to 4:
1= Easy,2= Medium,3= Hard,4= Extreme. - Hardcore --
TrueorFalse. When Hardcore is enabled, players cannot respawn after death. - SaveName -- A custom name for this Prospect save file.
Loading and Resuming Prospects
- ResumeProspect=True -- The server automatically resumes the last active Prospect on startup. This is the recommended setting for persistent servers.
- LoadProspect=[name] -- Loads a specific saved Prospect by name from
Saved/PlayerData/DedicatedServer/Prospects/.
Console Commands for Prospect Management
You can manage Prospects via the in-game chat console. Prefix commands with / or \\ while in-game. In the server lobby, commands can be entered without a prefix.
/CreateProspect [type] [difficulty] [hardcore] [name]-- Create a new Prospect./LoadProspect [name]-- Load a saved Prospect./ResumeProspect-- Resume the last active Prospect.
AllowNonAdminsToLaunchProspects=True). If you want only admins to control Prospect creation and loading, set this to False in your ServerSettings.ini.
How to Connect
Players can connect to your Icarus server through the in-game server browser or by direct connect. Find your server IP and port from the GPanel Console tab or see How to Find Your Server IP and Port.
Via In-Game Server Browser
- Launch Icarus and press Play.
- Create or select a character.
- Open the Join menu.
- Switch to the Dedicated Servers tab at the top-right of the screen.
- Search for your server by name or scroll through the list.
- Click on your server and press Join. Enter the password if one is set.
Via Direct Connect
- Launch Icarus, press Play, and select your character.
- Open the Join menu.
- Switch to the Dedicated Servers tab.
- Click Direct Connect.
- Enter your server's IP address and game port in the format
IP:PORT(for example,192.168.1.100:17777). - Press Confirm. Enter the server password if prompted.
17777), not the query port. If you have trouble connecting, try appending the query port (27015) instead. Your server's port is randomly assigned unless you have a private IP -- always check GPanel for the correct port.
-SteamServerName parameter is set correctly. You can always use direct connect with your IP and game port while the server registers with the browser.
Save and Prospect Management
Understanding how Icarus saves work is critical for managing your server's Prospects and player data.
Save Location
Prospect save files are stored at:
Icarus/Saved/PlayerData/DedicatedServer/Prospects/Each Prospect is saved as an individual file that can be loaded, backed up, or deleted.
Automatic Saves
Icarus automatically saves the current Prospect state at regular intervals. The server also saves when players join, leave, or when specific game events occur.
Creating Backups
- Stop the server from GPanel.
- Navigate to
Icarus/Saved/via the GPanel Files tab or SFTP. - Download the following directories and files:
PlayerData/DedicatedServer/Prospects/-- All Prospect save filesConfig/WindowsServer/ServerSettings.ini-- Your server configuration
- Store these files safely on your local computer.
Restoring a Backup
- Stop the server.
- Upload the backed-up Prospect files to
Icarus/Saved/PlayerData/DedicatedServer/Prospects/. - If needed, set
LoadProspect=[name]inServerSettings.inito load a specific Prospect on next start. - Start the server.
Deleting a Prospect (Starting Fresh)
- Stop the server.
- Navigate to
Icarus/Saved/PlayerData/DedicatedServer/Prospects/. - Delete the Prospect save file(s) you want to remove.
- Clear the
LastProspectNameandLoadProspectfields inServerSettings.ini. - Optionally set a
CreateProspectvalue to generate a new Prospect on next start. - Start the server.
Port Reference
Icarus uses the following network ports. These are automatically configured by your hosting plan on Legion Hosting.
| Port | Protocol | Default | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Port | UDP | 17777 |
Primary game connections. Players connect on this port. |
| Query Port | UDP | 27015 |
Steam server browser queries. |
Related Articles
- Icarus Troubleshooting
- How to Find Your Server IP and Port
- How to Upload Files via SFTP
- Getting Started with Your New Server
Need Help?
If you are still having issues with your Icarus server, please open a support ticket and our team will be happy to assist you.
