This guide covers how to set up your Farming Simulator 25 dedicated server on Legion Hosting, configure startup variables, edit server settings, select maps and game modes, connect to your server, and manage saves and backups. For admin controls, player management, and mod installation, see Farming Simulator 25 Admin and Mod Setup.
Note: Farming Simulator 25 dedicated servers are separate from the in-game hosting option. A dedicated server allows your farm to stay online 24/7 without requiring a player to host.
1. First Start
- Log in to GPanel and select your Farming Simulator 25 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. This appears in the multiplayer server browser.
- Set ADMIN_PASSWORD to a strong password. You will need this to access the web admin interface and log in as admin in-game.
- Set GAME_PASSWORD if you want to restrict who can join. Leave it blank for a public server.
- Return to the Console tab and click Start.
- Wait for the console to confirm the server has started. The first launch may take a couple of minutes as the server generates its initial configuration files and save data.
First start generates config files. If you need to edit
dedicatedServer.xml or other configuration files, start the server once, let it finish loading, then stop it before editing. The files will not exist until the first run.
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 in-game server browser. |
ADMIN_PASSWORD |
Yes | Password for the web-based admin panel and in-game admin login. Keep this private. |
GAME_PASSWORD |
No | Optional password players must enter to join. Leave blank for a public server. |
MAX_PLAYERS |
No | Maximum number of players allowed on the server simultaneously. Default is 16. The maximum supported by FS25 is 16. |
MAP |
No | The map to load. See Section 4 for available maps and their internal names. |
CROSSPLAY |
No | Enable or disable crossplay between platforms. Set to true or false. Default is true. |
3. Dedicated Server Configuration
For advanced settings beyond what the startup variables offer, you can edit the dedicated server configuration file directly. Stop your server before making changes.
File Location
dedicatedServer.xmlOpen this file using the Files tab in GPanel or connect via SFTP. If the file does not exist, start and stop the server once to generate it.
Always stop your server before editing configuration files. The server may overwrite your changes on shutdown if it is running while you edit.
Key Settings in dedicatedServer.xml
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
<game_name> |
My Server |
Server name shown in the multiplayer browser. |
<admin_password> |
(none) | Password required for admin login. This must be set for the web admin interface to work. |
<game_password> |
(empty) | Password required to join the server. Empty means public. |
<max_players> |
16 |
Maximum concurrent players. FS25 supports up to 16. |
<port> |
10823 |
Game port. This is managed by GPanel -- do not change it unless instructed by support. |
<language> |
en |
Server language. Common values: en, de, fr, es, pl. |
<mapID> |
MapUS |
The map the server loads. See Section 4 for available maps. |
<difficulty> |
2 |
Difficulty level: 1 = Easy, 2 = Normal, 3 = Hard. |
<auto_save_interval> |
15 |
Auto-save interval in minutes. Set to 0 to disable auto-save. |
<crossplay> |
true |
Allow players from different platforms (PC, console) to join. Set to false to restrict to PC only. |
<savegame_index> |
1 |
Which save slot the server uses. Each slot is a separate farm/world. Values 1 through 20 are supported. |
Example Configuration
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="no"?>
<gameserver>
<settings>
<game_name>My Legion Farm</game_name>
<admin_password>YourAdminPassword</admin_password>
<game_password></game_password>
<max_players>16</max_players>
<port>10823</port>
<language>en</language>
<mapID>MapUS</mapID>
<difficulty>2</difficulty>
<auto_save_interval>15</auto_save_interval>
<crossplay>true</crossplay>
<savegame_index>1</savegame_index>
</settings>
</gameserver>
Do not change the port value. The port is assigned by GPanel and must match your allocated port. Changing it will prevent players from connecting.
4. Map Selection
Farming Simulator 25 ships with three official maps. Set the <mapID> value in your config or the MAP startup variable to one of the following:
| Map Name | Map ID | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Riverbend Springs | MapUS |
American-style map with wide open fields, large farms, and a classic Midwestern landscape. Good for large-scale grain and livestock operations. |
| Zielonka | MapEU |
European-style map set in the Polish countryside. Features smaller, irregular fields and a more varied terrain with forests and villages. |
| Hutan Pantai | MapAS |
Southeast Asian-themed map featuring rice paddies, tropical vegetation, and unique crop types including rice. Offers a different farming experience. |
Mod maps: If you install a custom map mod, its map ID will be different from the official ones above. Check the mod's documentation for the correct map ID to use. See Farming Simulator 25 Admin and Mod Setup for mod installation instructions.
5. Game Mode and Difficulty
Farming Simulator 25 offers several ways to customise the gameplay experience on your server.
Difficulty Levels
- Easy (1) -- Higher crop yields, lower operating costs, and more forgiving economics. Good for casual play or learning the game.
- Normal (2) -- Balanced settings. Recommended for most servers.
- Hard (3) -- Lower yields, higher costs, and tighter margins. For experienced players looking for a challenge.
Career Mode vs Farming Mode
When creating a new save, you choose between two modes:
- New Farmer (Career) -- Start with a small farm, limited equipment, and a loan. Build your operation over time. Good for progression-oriented play.
- Farm Manager -- Start with a medium-sized farm and more resources. Less emphasis on early-game struggle.
- Start from Scratch -- Begin with nothing but money. Buy your own land, buildings, and equipment from the start.
The game mode is set when creating the save game, not in the server config. You can create the save by starting the server and joining it for the first time, then selecting your starting scenario. Alternatively, create the save in single-player and upload it to the server.
6. How to Connect
Option A -- In-Game Server Browser
- Launch Farming Simulator 25.
- From the main menu, select Multiplayer.
- Click Join Game and then Server Browser.
- Use the search bar to find your server by name.
- Select your server and click Join. Enter the game password if one is set.
It may take a few minutes for a newly started server to appear in the browser. If your server does not show up, try refreshing the list or connecting directly by IP.
Option B -- Direct Connect
- Launch Farming Simulator 25.
- From the main menu, select Multiplayer.
- Click Join Game and then Direct Connect.
- Enter your server's IP address and port from GPanel's Network tab:
<your-server-ip>:<port> - Enter the game password if prompted and click Connect.
Connection issues? Verify your server is running in GPanel, check that you are using the correct IP and port from the Network tab, and ensure the game password matches. Ports are randomly assigned unless you have a private IP. If crossplay is disabled, console players will not be able to join a PC server and vice versa.
7. Save Management
Auto-Save
The server auto-saves at the interval specified by <auto_save_interval> in dedicatedServer.xml (default: every 15 minutes). You can also trigger a manual save from the web admin interface or in-game as admin.
Save File Location
Save files are stored on the server at:
savegame1/The directory name corresponds to the <savegame_index> setting (e.g., savegame1 for index 1, savegame2 for index 2). Each save directory contains the full world state including farms, vehicles, fields, and finances.
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
savegame1/directory (or whichever save slot you are using). - 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 root directory.
- Upload your backed-up save directory, replacing the existing one (e.g., replace the contents of
savegame1/). - Start the server from GPanel. The server will load the restored save.
Tip: Always keep a local backup before replacing save files. If the uploaded save is corrupted or from an incompatible version, you may lose your progress.
Switching Save Slots
To run a different farm without deleting your existing one, change the <savegame_index> value in dedicatedServer.xml to a different number (1-20). Each slot is completely independent.
8. Troubleshooting
Server Not Appearing in the Browser
- Confirm the server is fully started in GPanel. Check the console for errors.
- The server browser can take several minutes to index a new server. Try direct connect while waiting.
- If crossplay is enabled, make sure you are searching in the correct server list for your platform.
Server Crashes on Startup
- Check the console log for error messages. Common causes include invalid XML syntax in
dedicatedServer.xml. - Verify the
<mapID>is a valid map identifier. An incorrect map ID will prevent the server from loading. - Try deleting
dedicatedServer.xmland restarting to regenerate a fresh config with defaults. - If the crash persists, open a support ticket with your server IP and any error messages from the console.
Players Cannot Join
- Verify the game password is correct. Passwords are case-sensitive.
- Check that the server has not reached
<max_players>. - If crossplay is disabled and the player is on a different platform, they will not be able to connect.
- Ensure the player is running the same game version as the server.
Related Articles
- Farming Simulator 25 Admin and Mod Setup
- 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 Farming Simulator 25 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.
