This guide covers everything you need to set up and configure your Soulmask dedicated server on Legion Hosting, including first start, GPanel startup variables, server configuration, PvE vs PvP modes, map and world settings, connecting to your server, and save management. For admin setup and in-game commands, see Soulmask Admin Commands.
What Is Soulmask
Soulmask is an open-world survival crafting game where players awaken wearing a mysterious ancient mask that grants supernatural abilities. Set in a lush, expansive world, players must gather resources, craft tools and weapons, build settlements, and recruit and manage a tribe of NPCs. The mask system is central to gameplay -- players can possess and control different tribespeople, each with unique skills and traits, to optimize their settlement and combat effectiveness.
Key features of the dedicated server include:
- Support for up to 70 concurrent players on a single server
- PvE and PvP game modes with configurable rules
- Extensive gameplay tuning through the
GameXishu.jsonconfiguration file - Tribe (guild) system with configurable member limits
- RCON and Telnet support for remote server management
- Automatic backup and save management
First Start
When you first receive your Soulmask server from Legion Hosting, it needs to complete an initial installation before it can be played on.
- Log in to GPanel and select your Soulmask server from the server list.
- Click the Console tab and press Start.
- The server will download and install the Soulmask dedicated server files via Steam. This initial download can take several minutes as the game requires significant disk space.
- Once the download completes, the server will start automatically. The first boot takes longer than subsequent starts while the server generates the initial world database.
- Wait until the console output indicates the server is ready and listening for connections.
GPanel Startup Variables
Core server settings are configured as startup variables in GPanel. These values are passed to the server process as command-line parameters when it launches.
- In GPanel, select your Soulmask 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 Soulmask Server |
The name displayed in the Steam server browser and in-game server list. Make it descriptive so players can find your server easily. |
SERVER_PASSWORD |
(empty) | Password required for players to join (-PSW parameter). Leave empty for a public server. Set a password to restrict access to invited players only. |
ADMIN_PASSWORD |
(empty) | GM administrator password (-adminpsw parameter). Required to access the in-game admin panel and run admin commands. Keep this secret. |
MAX_PLAYERS |
60 |
Maximum number of simultaneous players (-MaxPlayers parameter). Soulmask supports up to 70 players, but higher counts require more RAM and CPU. |
GAME_MODE |
pve |
Server game mode. Set to pve for PvE or pvp for PvP. See the PvE vs PvP section below. |
GAME_PORT |
8777 |
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. |
Server Configuration (Command-Line Parameters)
Soulmask uses extensive command-line parameters for server configuration. Below is the full reference of available parameters:
| Parameter | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
-SteamServerName="Name" |
- | Server display name in the server browser. |
-MaxPlayers=N |
60 |
Maximum concurrent player connections (up to 70). |
-PSW="password" |
(none) | Server join password. Omit for a public server. |
-adminpsw="password" |
(none) | Administrator/GM password for in-game admin commands. |
-pve |
- | Forces PvE mode. Players cannot damage each other. |
-pvp |
- | Forces PvP mode. Players can damage each other. |
-Port=N |
8777 |
Game connection port (UDP). |
-QueryPort=N |
27015 |
Steam query port (UDP). |
-EchoPort=N |
18888 |
Telnet console port (TCP, local only). Used for local remote management. |
-saving=N |
- | World state save interval to memory (in seconds). |
-backup=N |
- | In-memory database backup to disk interval (in seconds). |
-initbackup |
- | Creates a backup copy of the world each time the server starts. |
-backupinterval=N |
- | Automatic backup creation interval (in minutes). |
-GongHuiMaxMember=N |
- | Maximum number of members per tribe (guild). |
-MULTIHOME=IP |
- | Binds the server to a specific local IP address (multi-homed servers only). |
-rconpsw="password" |
(none) | Enables RCON remote console access with the specified password. |
-rconport=N |
19000 |
RCON listener TCP port. Only relevant if RCON is enabled. |
-rconaddr=IP |
- | RCON listener IP binding. Use 0.0.0.0 to listen on all interfaces. |
-log |
- | Enables console window and logging output. |
-UTF8Output |
- | Enables correct handling of non-Latin characters in output. |
PvE vs PvP Mode
Soulmask supports two primary game modes that fundamentally change the multiplayer experience:
PvE Mode (-pve)
- Players cannot damage each other directly.
- Structures and bases are protected from other players.
- Focus is on cooperative survival, building, and exploration.
- Players can still interact, trade, and form tribes.
- Recommended for cooperative communities and casual servers.
PvP Mode (-pvp)
- Players can attack and kill each other.
- Bases and structures can be raided and destroyed by other players.
- Tribal warfare and territory control become core gameplay elements.
- PvP damage ratios can be fine-tuned in the
GameXishu.jsonconfiguration file. - Recommended for competitive servers and experienced players.
Map and World Settings (GameXishu.json)
Detailed world and gameplay settings are controlled through the GameXishu.json configuration file. This file contains extensive options for tuning resource rates, combat, invasions, building, animals, and more.
Locating the File
The configuration file is located at:
WS/Saved/GameplaySettings/GameXishu.json
Access this file through the GPanel Files tab or via SFTP.
Key Settings Reference
Below are the most commonly adjusted settings. The parameter names are in their original format (Chinese pinyin). English descriptions are provided for each.
Experience and Progression
| Setting | English Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
ExpRatio |
Experience Ratio | Multiplier for general experience gain. Higher values speed up leveling. |
ChengZhangExpRatio |
Growth Experience Ratio | Multiplier for character growth experience gain. |
ShaGuaiExpRatio |
Monster Kill Experience Ratio | Multiplier for experience gained from killing monsters. |
Combat and Damage
| Setting | English Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
DongWuDamageRatio |
Animal Damage Ratio | Multiplier for damage dealt by wild animals and creatures. |
BeDamageByYeShengRatio |
Damage Taken from Wildlife | Multiplier for damage received from wild creatures. |
ShengMingHuiFuRatio |
Health Recovery Ratio | Multiplier for natural health regeneration speed. |
QiXiHuiFuRatio |
Stamina Recovery Ratio | Multiplier for stamina recovery speed. |
TiLiHuiFuRatio |
Energy Recovery Ratio | Multiplier for energy/endurance recovery speed. |
PVP_ShangHaiRatio_JinZhan |
PvP Melee Damage Ratio | Multiplier for PvP melee combat damage (default: 0.4). |
Resource and Consumption
| Setting | English Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
ShiWuXiaoHaoRatio |
Food Consumption Ratio | Multiplier for how fast food is consumed. Lower values slow food consumption. |
ShuiXiaoHaoRatio |
Water Consumption Ratio | Multiplier for how fast water is consumed. |
RanLiaoXiaoHaoRatio |
Fuel Consumption Ratio | Multiplier for how fast fuel is consumed by crafting stations and fires. |
Animal and Farming
| Setting | English Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
DongWuShengZhangRatio |
Animal Growth Ratio | Multiplier for animal growth speed. Higher values make animals mature faster. |
FanZhiJianGeRatio |
Breeding Interval Ratio | Multiplier for time between animal breeding cycles. |
DongWuChanChuRatio |
Animal Production Ratio | Multiplier for animal production output (eggs, milk, etc.). |
DongWuPinZhiRatio |
Animal Quality Ratio | Multiplier for quality of tamed animal attributes. |
ZuoWuShengZhangRatio |
Crop Growth Ratio | Multiplier for crop growth speed. |
ZuoWuFeiLiaoXiaoHaoRatio |
Crop Fertilizer Consumption | Multiplier for fertilizer consumption rate. |
Building and Structures
| Setting | English Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
JianZhuFuLanKaiGuan |
Building Decay Toggle | Enable or disable building decay over time. Set to 0 to disable. |
JianZhuFuLanMul |
Building Decay Multiplier | Rate at which structures decay. Lower values slow decay. |
JianZhuXiuLiMul |
Building Repair Multiplier | Multiplier for building repair costs and speed. |
JianZhuZiYuanJinShuaBanJing |
Building Resource Exclusion Radius | Radius around buildings where natural resources will not respawn. |
Invasion System
| Setting | English Name | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
RuQinGuaiCountMax |
Max Invasion Monsters | 128 |
Maximum number of monsters in an invasion wave. |
RuQinQiangDuXiShu |
Invasion Intensity | - | Controls overall invasion difficulty and monster strength. |
RuQinBeginHour |
Invasion Start Hour | - | In-game hour when invasions can begin. |
RuQinEndHour |
Invasion End Hour | - | In-game hour when invasions stop. |
RuQinPerBoGuaiMax |
Max Monsters Per Wave | 16 |
Maximum monsters spawned per individual wave. |
How to Connect
Players can connect to your Soulmask server through the in-game server browser or by direct connect.
Via In-Game Server Browser
- Launch Soulmask.
- From the main menu, select Multiplayer and then Server Browser.
- Search for your server by name (the name you set in the
SERVER_NAMEstartup variable). - Click on your server and press Join. Enter the password if one is set.
Via Steam Server Browser
- In Steam, go to View > Game Servers (or Servers).
- Click the Favorites tab and then Add a Server.
- Enter your server's IP and query port (default
27015) in the formatIP:PORT. - Once the server appears, double-click it to connect through Soulmask.
Via Direct Connect
- Find your server IP and game port from the GPanel Console tab. For help, see How to Find Your Server IP and Port.
- In Soulmask, look for the Direct Connect option in the multiplayer menu.
- Enter your server IP and game port (default
8777) in the formatIP:PORT. - Press Connect and enter the server password if required.
Save Management
Soulmask uses a database-backed save system. Understanding how saves work is critical for avoiding data loss.
Save Location
The primary world save file is located at:
WS/Saved/Worlds/Dedicated/Level01_Main/world.db
This SQLite database contains all world data including terrain modifications, structures, NPC states, and player data.
Save Process
Soulmask uses a two-stage save process:
- Memory save (
-saving): The world state is periodically written to an in-memory database at the interval specified by the-savingparameter (in seconds). - Disk backup (
-backup): The in-memory database is flushed to disk at the interval specified by the-backupparameter (in seconds).
gm exit in-game command, or the shutdown RCON command. Force-killing the server process can cause the in-memory database to not be written to disk, resulting in rollbacks to the last disk save.
Automatic Backups
Configure automatic backups using these startup parameters:
-initbackup-- Creates a backup copy every time the server starts.-backupinterval=N-- Creates rolling backups every N minutes during runtime.
Manual Backups
To create a manual backup:
- Stop the server from GPanel.
- Navigate to
WS/Saved/via the GPanel Files tab or SFTP. - Download the following files:
Worlds/Dedicated/Level01_Main/world.db-- The world save databaseGameplaySettings/GameXishu.json-- Your gameplay configuration
- Store these files safely on your local computer.
Restoring a Backup
- Stop the server.
- Upload the backed-up
world.dbfile toWS/Saved/Worlds/Dedicated/Level01_Main/. - Upload the backed-up
GameXishu.jsontoWS/Saved/GameplaySettings/if you want to restore settings as well. - Start the server.
Starting a New World
To wipe the world and start fresh:
- Stop the server.
- Rename or delete the
world.dbfile atWS/Saved/Worlds/Dedicated/Level01_Main/. - Start the server. It will generate a new world database from scratch.
world.db as a backup in case you want to restore it later.
Port Reference
Soulmask uses the following ports. These are automatically configured by your hosting plan on Legion Hosting.
| Port | Protocol | Default | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Port | UDP | 8777 |
Primary game connections. Players connect to this port. |
| Query Port | UDP | 27015 |
Steam server browser queries. |
| Echo Port (Telnet) | TCP | 18888 |
Local telnet administration (local connections only). |
| RCON Port | TCP | 19000 |
Remote console (RCON) access. Only active if -rconpsw is set. |
Related Articles
- Soulmask Admin Commands
- 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 Soulmask server, please open a support ticket and our team will be happy to assist you.