This guide covers how to set up and configure your Eco dedicated server hosted with Legion Hosting, including Strange Loop Games authentication, startup variables, server configuration, economy settings, Discord integration, and how to connect. For the web admin interface and RCON access, see Eco Web Admin & RCON.
1. Prerequisites
Before starting your Eco server for the first time, you need a Strange Loop Games (SLG) account. The server uses your SLG credentials to authenticate with the Eco master server, which is required for the server to appear in the server browser and accept player connections.
- Visit play.eco and click Sign Up (or Log In if you already have an account).
- Register with a valid email address and create a password.
- Confirm your email if prompted.
- Keep your SLG username and password ready — you will enter them in GPanel before starting the server.
2. First Start
Once your SLG account is ready, follow these steps to start your Eco server for the first time:
- Log in to GPanel.
- Select your Eco server from the server list.
- Go to the Startup tab.
- Enter your SLG Username in the
SLG_USERfield. - Enter your SLG Password in the
SLG_PWfield. - Optionally, set a Server Name (
SRV_NAME) so your server is identifiable in the browser. - Return to the Console tab and click Start.
- Watch the console output. The server will authenticate with Strange Loop Games, generate its configuration files, and begin loading the world. First startup may take several minutes as the world is generated.
Configs/Network.eco and other .eco config files will not exist until the server has started at least once. Start the server before attempting to edit configuration files.
3. GPanel Startup Variables
The following variables can be configured in the GPanel Startup tab. Changes to startup variables require a server restart to take effect.
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
SLG_USER |
Your Strange Loop Games username. Required for server authentication. | None |
SLG_PW |
Your Strange Loop Games password. Required for server authentication. | None |
SRV_NAME |
Server name displayed in the Eco server browser. | None |
DEDES |
Server description shown in the server browser listing. | None |
SRV_PW |
Optional password required for players to join. Leave empty for a public server. | Empty |
MAX_CON |
Maximum number of simultaneous player connections. Set to -1 for unlimited. |
-1 |
PUB_SRV |
Whether the server appears in the public server browser. Set to true or false. |
true |
WEB_PORT |
Port used by the web admin interface. Check GPanel's Network tab for your assigned port. | Assigned by GPanel |
RCON_PORT |
Port used for RCON connections. Check GPanel's Network tab for your assigned port. | Assigned by GPanel |
RCON_PW |
Password for RCON access. Leave empty to disable RCON. | Empty |
SRV_CAT |
Server category shown in the browser. Options: None, Beginner, Established, BeginnerHard, Strange. |
None |
DISCORD_SRV |
Your Discord server invite link or ID for integration with the Eco server. | Empty |
LANGUAGE |
Server language setting. Affects the language used in the server browser listing. | English |
4. Server Configuration
Eco stores its configuration in JSON files inside the Configs/ directory on your server. The primary file for network and server identity settings is Configs/Network.eco.
.eco config file. The server may overwrite your changes on shutdown if it is still running.
Editing Network.eco
- Log in to GPanel and select your Eco server.
- Stop the server from the Console tab.
- Go to the Files tab and navigate to
Configs/. - Click
Network.ecoto open it in the inline editor.
Network.eco is a JSON file. Key settings include:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
"Name" |
Server name displayed in the browser. Can also be set via the SRV_NAME startup variable. |
"Description" |
Server description shown in the browser listing. Can also be set via DEDES. |
"Password" |
Server join password. Leave as an empty string ("") for no password. |
"PublicServer" |
Set to true to list the server in the public browser, false for a private server. |
"MaxConnections" |
Maximum simultaneous player connections. Use -1 for unlimited. |
"ServerCategory" |
The category tag displayed in the browser (e.g., "Beginner", "Established"). |
"IPAddress" |
Typically set to "Any" on shared hosting. Do not change this unless instructed by support. |
Example Network.eco snippet:
{
"Name": "My Legion Eco Server",
"Description": "A collaborative Eco server hosted by Legion Hosting",
"Password": "",
"PublicServer": true,
"MaxConnections": -1,
"ServerCategory": "Beginner",
"IPAddress": "Any"
}SRV_NAME) will override the corresponding values in Network.eco on each server start. If you want to manage settings exclusively through the config file, clear the corresponding startup variable in GPanel.
Localization Settings
The Configs/Localization.eco file controls the language used by the server. This is a JSON file with a simple structure:
{
"Language": "English"
}Change the value to any supported language. This can also be set via the LANGUAGE startup variable in GPanel.
5. Server Categories
Eco uses server categories to help players find servers that match their preferred playstyle. The category is set via the SRV_CAT startup variable or the "ServerCategory" field in Network.eco.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
None |
No category tag. The server appears in the browser without a category label. Use this if your server does not fit the predefined categories. |
Beginner |
Intended for new players. Typically features slower meteor timing, relaxed collaboration requirements, and more forgiving economic settings. Signals to new players that the server is a good place to learn. |
Established |
A server that has been running for a while with an active community. Players browsing this category expect an existing economy, established laws, and ongoing collaboration. Best used after your server has progressed past the early game. |
BeginnerHard |
Beginner-friendly but with a more challenging configuration. Faster meteor timing, stricter resource limits, or other difficulty increases. Suitable for players who want to learn Eco's systems under pressure. |
Strange |
Experimental or unconventional server settings. Custom rulesets, unusual world configurations, heavy modding, or non-standard gameplay. Use this for creative or niche server setups. |
6. Economy and World Settings
Eco's core gameplay revolves around its simulated ecosystem and player-driven economy. These settings significantly affect how your server plays and are best managed through the web admin panel (see Eco Web Admin & RCON).
Day Length and Time Scale
The day length controls how fast in-game time passes relative to real time. A shorter day cycle speeds up gameplay progression, while a longer cycle gives players more real-world time to collaborate and build.
- The default real-time-to-game-time ratio means one real day equals roughly one in-game day.
- Adjusting the time scale affects how quickly food spoils, crops grow, and skill points are earned.
- Shorter cycles are better for small groups who want faster progression. Longer cycles suit larger communities that need time to coordinate.
Meteor Timing
The meteor is the primary threat in Eco. It sets the deadline by which players must advance their technology enough to destroy it. Key considerations:
- Meteor impact days: The number of real-world days until the meteor strikes. The default is 30 days.
- A shorter meteor timer increases urgency and forces faster collaboration. A longer timer allows more casual play.
- You can disable the meteor entirely if you want a sandbox experience without a deadline.
- The meteor timer can be adjusted through the web admin panel under world settings.
Skill Rates and Collaboration
Eco's skill system is designed so that no single player can master every profession. This encourages trade and cooperation.
- Skill gain rate: Controls how fast players earn skill points. Higher rates allow faster specialization but reduce the need for long-term commitment.
- Specialty cost: The cost to learn new specialties. Higher costs force players to specialize more narrowly.
- Collaboration multiplier: Bonuses applied when multiple players work on the same project. Higher values reward teamwork.
- These settings are available through the web admin panel and can be adjusted at runtime without a restart.
World Generation
World settings that are set at generation time (world size, biome distribution) cannot be changed after the world is created. If you need different world generation parameters, you will need to wipe the server and generate a new world. See the world generation options in the web admin or the relevant config files before your first start if you want a custom world.
7. Discord Integration
Eco supports linking your server to a Discord server, allowing players to find your community directly from the server browser.
Setting Up Discord Integration
- Create a permanent invite link for your Discord server (in Discord: right-click a channel, click Invite People, and set the link to Never Expire).
- In GPanel, go to the Startup tab.
- Paste your Discord invite link or server ID into the
DISCORD_SRVfield. - Restart the server.
Once configured, players browsing the server list will see a Discord link on your server's listing page. This makes it easy for potential players to join your community before even connecting to the server.
8. How to Connect
Option A -- In-Game Server Browser
- Launch Eco and click Play on the main menu.
- Click Server Browser.
- If your server is public (
PUB_SRVset totrue), it will appear in the server list. Use the search bar to filter by your server name. - Click your server and click Join. Enter the server password if one is set.
Option B -- Direct Connect
- Launch Eco and click Play on the main menu.
- Click Server Browser, then click Direct Connect (or the connection icon).
- Enter your server's IP address and game port:
<your-server-ip>:<game-port> - Click Connect. Enter the server password if prompted.
Your server IP and game port are shown in GPanel's Network tab. See How to Find Your Server IP and Port for details.
Related Articles
- Eco Web Admin & RCON
- How to Find Your Server IP and Port
- How to Upload Files via SFTP
- Server Startup Guide
Need Help?
If you experience issues with your Eco server, open a support ticket and include your server IP, a description of the problem, and any relevant console output from GPanel.
