This guide covers how to set up your Dead Matter dedicated server on Legion Hosting, configure startup variables, edit the server configuration, set world and difficulty options, connect to your server, and manage saves. Dead Matter is an open-world zombie survival game set in Alberta, Canada, featuring base building, scavenging, crafting, and both PvP and PvE gameplay. For admin commands, player management, and troubleshooting, see Dead Matter Admin Commands.
1. First Start
- Log in to GPanel and select your Dead Matter server.
- Go to the Startup tab and review the configurable variables (see the table in Section 2).
- Set SERVER_NAME to a name for your server.
- Set SERVER_PASSWORD if you want to restrict access. Leave it blank for a public server.
- Set MAX_PLAYERS to the desired player limit.
- Return to the Console tab and click Start.
- Wait for the console to confirm the server has started. The first launch may take several minutes as the server loads the world and generates configuration files.
2. GPanel Startup Variables
The following variables are available in the GPanel Startup tab. These are passed to the server on each start.
| Variable | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
SERVER_NAME |
Yes | The name displayed in the server browser. |
SERVER_PASSWORD |
No | Optional password players must enter to join. Leave blank for public access. |
MAX_PLAYERS |
No | Maximum number of concurrent players. |
PVP_ENABLED |
No | Enable or disable PvP combat. Set to true or false. |
DIFFICULTY |
No | Server difficulty setting affecting zombie density, loot scarcity, and survival challenge. |
3. Server Configuration
For advanced settings beyond the startup variables, you can edit the server configuration file directly. Stop your server before making changes.
File Location
DeadMatter/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/Game.iniOpen this file using the Files tab in GPanel or connect via SFTP. The file uses an INI format with sections and key-value pairs. If the file does not exist, start and stop the server once to generate it.
Key Settings
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
ServerName |
Dead Matter Server |
Server name displayed to players in the server browser. |
ServerPassword |
(empty) | Password required to join. Empty means public access. |
MaxPlayers |
36 |
Maximum concurrent players allowed on the server. |
bPvPEnabled |
true |
Whether players can damage each other. Set to false for PvE only. |
ZombieDensity |
1.0 |
Multiplier for zombie spawn density. Higher values mean more zombies. Range: 0.1 to 3.0. |
LootRespawnTime |
3600 |
Time in seconds before looted containers respawn their contents. |
DayNightCycleSpeed |
1.0 |
Speed multiplier for the day/night cycle. Higher values make days shorter. |
AutoSaveInterval |
300 |
Auto-save interval in seconds. Default is every 5 minutes. |
Example Configuration
[ServerSettings]
ServerName=My Legion Dead Matter
ServerPassword=
MaxPlayers=36
bPvPEnabled=true
ZombieDensity=1.5
LootRespawnTime=3600
DayNightCycleSpeed=1.0
AutoSaveInterval=3004. World Settings and Difficulty
Dead Matter takes place across an open-world map of Alberta, Canada. Server settings allow you to customize the survival experience.
PvP vs PvE
- PvP (default) -- Players can attack, kill, and loot each other. Bases can be raided. The full survival PvP experience.
- PvE -- Player-versus-player damage is disabled. Players cooperate against the zombie threat and environment. Set
bPvPEnabled=false.
Zombie and Difficulty Settings
- ZombieDensity -- Controls how many zombies spawn in the world. Set to
0.5for fewer zombies (easier), or2.0+for a challenging, zombie-filled experience. - LootRespawnTime -- Controls how quickly looted containers refill. Lower values mean faster loot cycling (easier scavenging). Higher values force players to explore further.
- DayNightCycleSpeed -- Adjust the pace of the day/night cycle. Longer days give more safe scavenging time. Faster cycles increase the urgency of nightfall.
World Persistence
Dead Matter worlds are persistent -- player bases, vehicles, stashes, and world changes remain between sessions. The server auto-saves periodically to preserve this state.
5. How to Connect
Option A -- In-Game Server Browser
- Launch Dead Matter.
- From the main menu, select Multiplayer.
- Browse the server list and search for your server by name.
- Select your server and click Join. Enter the password if one is set.
Option B -- Direct Connect
- Launch Dead Matter.
- From the main menu, select Multiplayer.
- Choose the Direct Connect option.
- Enter your server's IP address and port from GPanel's Network tab:
<your-server-ip>:<port> - Enter the server password if prompted and click Connect.
6. Save Management
Auto-Save
The server auto-saves at the interval specified in the configuration (default: every 300 seconds / 5 minutes). Saves happen in the background without significant impact on gameplay.
Save File Location
DeadMatter/Saved/SaveGames/This directory contains the full world state including player bases, vehicle positions, loot containers, zombie states, and player inventories.
Manual Backups via SFTP
- Stop the server from GPanel to ensure all data is written to disk.
- Connect to your server via SFTP. See How to Upload Files via SFTP for instructions.
- Download the entire
SaveGames/directory. - Store the backup in a safe location on your computer.
Restoring a Save
- Stop the server from GPanel.
- Connect via SFTP and navigate to the
SaveGames/directory. - Upload your backed-up save files, replacing the existing ones.
- Start the server from GPanel. The server will load the restored save.
Related Articles
- Dead Matter Admin Commands
- How to Find Your Server IP and Port
- How to Upload Files via SFTP
- Server Startup Guide
Need Help?
If you run into issues with your Dead Matter server that are not covered here, open a support ticket and include your server IP, a description of the problem, and any relevant error messages from the GPanel console.
