Abiotic Factor Server Configuration Guide 2025

Server configuration is essential for customizing your Abiotic Factor experience, from difficulty settings to performance optimization. This guide covers all configuration files, settings, and advanced customization options for dedicated servers.

Configuration File Structure

File Locations and Hierarchy

AbioticFactor/
├── Saved/
│   ├── Config/
│   │   ├── WindowsServer/          # Windows dedicated server
│   │   │   ├── game.ini            # Primary game settings
│   │   │   ├── engine.ini          # Engine and performance
│   │   │   ├── gameusersettings.ini # User interface settings
│   │   │   └── scalability.ini     # Graphics scalability
│   │   └── LinuxServer/            # Linux dedicated server
│   │       ├── game.ini
│   │       ├── engine.ini
│   │       └── gameusersettings.ini
│   ├── SaveGames/                  # World save files
│   └── Logs/                       # Server logs
├── Content/                        # Game content
├── Binaries/                       # Executables
└── Plugins/                        # Server plugins (if any)

game.ini - Primary Game Configuration

Basic Server Settings

[/Script/AbioticFactor.AFGameSession]
; Server identity and access
ServerName=My Abiotic Factor Server
ServerPassword=
AdminPassword=YourStrongAdminPassword2025
MaxPlayers=16
ServerDescription=A challenging research facility survival experience.

; Visibility and connectivity
IsPublic=True
IsLAN=False
IsPasswordProtected=False
IsBattlEyeProtected=True
IsVACEnabled=True

; Region and location
Region=US  ; US, EU, AS, OC, SA
ServerTags=Hardcore,Research,Coop

; Performance
NetServerMaxTickRate=30
NetClientMaxTickRate=30
MinNetUpdateRate=15
MaxNetUpdateRate=60

Gameplay Settings

[/Script/AbioticFactor.AFGameMode]
; Difficulty and progression
GameDifficulty=Normal  ; Easy, Normal, Hard, Brutal
ResearchSpeedMultiplier=1.0
CraftingSpeedMultiplier=1.0
HarvestMultiplier=1.0
XPMultiplier=1.0
PlayerDamageMultiplier=1.0
PlayerDamageTakenMultiplier=1.0
EnemyDamageMultiplier=1.0
EnemyDamageTakenMultiplier=1.0
StaminaDrainMultiplier=1.0
HungerThirstDrainMultiplier=1.0

; Survival mechanics
EnableHunger=True
EnableThirst=True
EnableStamina=True
EnableDiseases=True
EnableRadiation=True
EnableTemperature=True

; Death and respawn
RespawnType=BedOnly  ; BedOnly, Anywhere, Designated
RespawnCooldown=300  ; Seconds
KeepInventoryOnDeath=False
DropEquipmentOnDeath=True
DropResourcesOnDeath=True

; World persistence
StructureDecayEnabled=True
StructureDecayTime=604800  ; 7 days in seconds
ItemDecayEnabled=True
ItemDecayTime=259200  ; 3 days in seconds

World Generation Settings

[/Script/AbioticFactor.AFWorldSettings]
; Map and environment
WorldSeed=1234567890  ; Random seed for procedural generation
WorldSize=Medium  ; Small, Medium, Large, Huge
FacilityComplexity=Normal  ; Simple, Normal, Complex, Labyrinthine
ResourceAbundance=Normal  ; Sparse, Normal, Abundant, Rich
EnemyDensity=Normal  ; Low, Normal, High, Swarming
LootQuality=Normal  ; Poor, Normal, Good, Excellent

; Biome and environment features
StartingBiome=ResearchFacility  ; ResearchFacility, Underground, Surface
WeatherEnabled=True
DayNightCycleEnabled=True
DayLength=3600  ; Seconds for full day cycle
NightPercentage=0.3  ; 30% of day is night

; Special events and hazards
EnableRandomEvents=True
EventFrequency=0.1  ; 0-1 probability scale
EnableFacilityHazards=True
HazardFrequency=0.05
EnablePowerOutages=True
PowerOutageFrequency=0.02

engine.ini - Performance Optimization

Network and Performance Settings

[/Script/OnlineSubsystemUtils.IpNetDriver]
MaxClientRate=60000
MaxInternetClientRate=60000
RelevantTimeout=60.0
KeepAliveTime=0.2
SpawnPrioritySeconds=1.0
InitialConnectTimeout=120.0
ConnectionTimeout=30.0
MaxDesiredFrameRate=60
NetServerMaxTickRate=30
LanServerMaxTickRate=30

[/Script/Engine.GameSession]
MaxPlayers=16
MaxSpectators=0

[/Script/Engine.WorldSettings]
NetDriverClassName=/Script/OnlineSubsystemUtils.IpNetDriver
NetConnectionClassName=/Script/OnlineSubsystemUtils.IpConnection
bUseClientSideLevelStreaming=True
bPreloadClientAnimations=True

; Memory optimization
[ConsoleVariables]
PoolSize=1000
MaxTempMemory=256
DisablePhysXHardwareSupport=False
AllowMultipleGPUs=False
r.TextureStreaming=True
r.Streaming.PoolSize=2000
r.Streaming.MaxTempMemoryAllowed=256

Rendering Optimization (Headless Server)

; Server-side rendering optimization
r.ShaderComplexity=False
r.ViewDistanceScale=0.3
r.ShadowQuality=0
r.TextureQuality=0
r.EffectsQuality=0
r.PostProcessQuality=0
r.MaterialQualityLevel=0
r.MeshLODDistanceScale=0.3
r.SkeletalMeshLODBias=3
r.ParticleLODBias=3
r.MaxAnisotropy=0
r.MaxQualityMode=0
r.DepthOfField=False
r.MotionBlur=False
r.AmbientOcclusion=False
r.Bloom=False
r.LensFlare=False
r.Tonemapper=False

; CPU optimization for simulation
r.MultiThreadedDestruction=True
r.MultiThreadedParticleSystem=True
r.MultiThreadedAnimation=True
r.MultiThreadedPhysX=True
physics.MaxSubsteps=1
physics.SubstepSize=0.016667

Game User Settings (gameusersettings.ini)

Server Interface and Accessibility

[/Script/AbioticFactor.AFGameUserSettings]
; Display and interface
bShowServerBrowser=True
bShowAdvancedSettings=True
bShowModInfo=True
UIScale=1.0
ChatFontSize=14
NotificationDuration=5.0

; Accessibility features
bEnableColorBlindMode=False
ColorBlindModeType=0  ; 0=Protanopia, 1=Deuteranopia, 2=Tritanopia
bEnableHighContrast=False
bEnableLargeText=False
bEnableScreenReaderSupport=False

; Audio settings (affects server notifications)
MasterVolume=1.0
EffectsVolume=0.8
MusicVolume=0.6
UIVolume=0.7
VoiceVolume=1.0
bEnableVoiceChat=True
VoiceChatMode=PushToTalk  ; PushToTalk, VoiceActivated, Disabled

Server Management Settings

; Backup and maintenance
bEnableAutoBackup=True
AutoBackupInterval=3600  ; Hourly backups
MaxBackupCount=24
BackupCompression=True

; Logging and monitoring
LogVerbosity=Normal  ; Minimal, Normal, Verbose, Debug
LogFileMaxSize=10485760  ; 10MB
LogFileMaxCount=10
bEnablePerformanceLogging=True
PerformanceLogInterval=300  ; Every 5 minutes

; Update and maintenance
bCheckForUpdates=True
UpdateCheckInterval=86400  ; Daily
bAutoApplyUpdates=False  ; Manual approval recommended
MaintenanceWindowStart=2  ; 2 AM server time
MaintenanceWindowDuration=4  ; 4 hour window

Advanced Configuration Scenarios

Hardcore Survival Server

; Maximum challenge configuration
GameDifficulty=Brutal
PlayerDamageMultiplier=0.8
PlayerDamageTakenMultiplier=1.5
EnemyDamageMultiplier=1.5
EnemyDamageTakenMultiplier=0.8
StaminaDrainMultiplier=1.3
HungerThirstDrainMultiplier=1.5
ResearchSpeedMultiplier=0.7
CraftingSpeedMultiplier=0.8
HarvestMultiplier=0.6

; Survival mechanics at maximum
EnableDiseases=True
EnableRadiation=True
EnableTemperature=True
EnableFacilityHazards=True
EnablePowerOutages=True
EventFrequency=0.2
HazardFrequency=0.1

; Death consequences
KeepInventoryOnDeath=False
DropEquipmentOnDeath=True
DropResourcesOnDeath=True
RespawnCooldown=600  ; 10 minutes
RespawnType=BedOnly

; World challenges
ResourceAbundance=Sparse
EnemyDensity=High
LootQuality=Poor
FacilityComplexity=Complex

Casual/Cooperative Server

; Relaxed gameplay for cooperation
GameDifficulty=Easy
PlayerDamageMultiplier=1.2
PlayerDamageTakenMultiplier=0.8
EnemyDamageMultiplier=0.8
EnemyDamageTakenMultiplier=1.2
StaminaDrainMultiplier=0.8
HungerThirstDrainMultiplier=0.7
ResearchSpeedMultiplier=1.3
CraftingSpeedMultiplier=1.2
HarvestMultiplier=1.3

; Reduced survival pressure
EnableDiseases=False
EnableRadiation=False
EnableTemperature=False
EnableFacilityHazards=False
EnablePowerOutages=False
EventFrequency=0.05
HazardFrequency=0.01

; Player-friendly death
KeepInventoryOnDeath=True
DropEquipmentOnDeath=False
DropResourcesOnDeath=False
RespawnCooldown=60  ; 1 minute
RespawnType=Anywhere

; Abundant world
ResourceAbundance=Rich
EnemyDensity=Low
LootQuality=Good
FacilityComplexity=Normal

Roleplay/Research Server

; Focus on research and storytelling
GameDifficulty=Normal
ResearchSpeedMultiplier=1.5
CraftingSpeedMultiplier=1.2
HarvestMultiplier=1.0
XPMultiplier=1.3

; Enhanced immersion
EnableRandomEvents=True
EventFrequency=0.15
EnableFacilityHazards=True
HazardFrequency=0.08
EnablePowerOutages=True
DayLength=7200  ; 2 hour day cycle
NightPercentage=0.4  ; Longer nights for atmosphere

; Research focus
StartingBiome=ResearchFacility
FacilityComplexity=Complex
WorldSize=Large
ResourceAbundance=Normal

; Roleplay features
bEnableVoiceChat=True
VoiceChatMode=VoiceActivated
RespawnType=Designated  ; Specific respawn points
StructureDecayTime=1209600  ; 14 days for persistent bases

Performance Optimization Guide

Hardware Requirements by Player Count

Player Count	CPU Cores	RAM	Storage	Network
4-8 players	4 cores	8GB	50GB SSD	100 Mbps
8-16 players	6 cores	16GB	100GB SSD	250 Mbps
16-32 players	8 cores	32GB	200GB NVMe	500 Mbps
32+ players	12+ cores	64GB+	500GB NVMe	1 Gbps+

Configuration-Based Performance Tuning

; Performance vs. quality trade-offs
# High Performance (Low-end hardware):
WorldSize=Small
FacilityComplexity=Simple
EnemyDensity=Low
r.ViewDistanceScale=0.2
r.ShadowQuality=0
NetServerMaxTickRate=25
MaxNetUpdateRate=45

# Balanced (Recommended):
WorldSize=Medium  
FacilityComplexity=Normal
EnemyDensity=Normal
r.ViewDistanceScale=0.5
r.ShadowQuality=1
NetServerMaxTickRate=30
MaxNetUpdateRate=60

# High Quality (High-end hardware):
WorldSize=Large
FacilityComplexity=Complex
EnemyDensity=High
r.ViewDistanceScale=0.8
r.ShadowQuality=2
NetServerMaxTickRate=45
MaxNetUpdateRate=90

Mod and Plugin Configuration

Mod Loading Configuration

; Mod configuration section (if using mods)
[/Script/AbioticFactor.AFModManager]
bEnableMods=True
ModLoadOrder=CoreMod,ContentMod,QualityOfLife,Gameplay
bValidateMods=True
bAutoUpdateMods=False  ; Manual recommended for stability

; Individual mod configuration
[Mods]
; Format: ModName.Setting=Value
CoreMod.EnableDebug=False
ContentMod.AdditionalItems=True
QualityOfLife.AutoSort=True
Gameplay.NewEnemies=True

; Mod compatibility settings
bCheckModCompatibility=True
bAllowIncompatibleMods=False
bCreateModCompatibilityReport=True

Plugin System Configuration

; Server plugins (if supported)
[/Script/AbioticFactor.AFPluginManager]
bEnablePlugins=True
PluginDirectory=./Plugins/
PluginLoadOrder=ChatManager,AdminTools,BackupSystem

; Plugin-specific configuration
[Plugin.ChatManager]
bEnableChatLogging=True
ChatLogFile=./Logs/chat.log
bFilterProfanity=True
ProfanityFilterLevel=Strict

[Plugin.AdminTools]
AdminPassword=YourAdminPassword
MaxAdmins=5
bEnableRemoteAdmin=False
RemoteAdminPort=8080

[Plugin.BackupSystem]
BackupInterval=3600
MaxBackups=24
BackupDirectory=./Backups/
bCompressBackups=True

Security and Access Control

Server Security Configuration

; Access control and security
[/Script/AbioticFactor.AFSecuritySettings]
bEnableIPWhitelist=False
IPWhitelist=192.168.1.0/24,10.0.0.0/8
bEnablePlayerWhitelist=True
WhitelistFile=./Config/whitelist.txt
bEnableAdminWhitelist=True
AdminWhitelistFile=./Config/adminlist.txt

; Anti-cheat and protection
bEnableBattlEye=True
bEnableVAC=True
bLogSuspiciousActivity=True
SuspiciousActivityLog=./Logs/security.log

; Connection security
MaxConnectionAttempts=5
ConnectionBanTime=3600  ; 1 hour ban
bEnableDDoSProtection=True
DDoSThreshold=100  ; Requests per second

Administrative Access Configuration

; Admin permissions and commands
[/Script/AbioticFactor.AFAdminSystem]
AdminPassword=YourStrongAdminPassword
bEnableAdminCommands=True
bLogAdminCommands=True
AdminCommandLog=./Logs/admin_commands.log

; Permission levels (0-100)
SuperAdminLevel=100
AdminLevel=75
ModeratorLevel=50
HelperLevel=25

; Command permissions
KickPermission=50
BanPermission=75
TeleportPermission=50
GiveItemPermission=75
ChangeTimePermission=100
ChangeWeatherPermission=75

Monitoring and Maintenance

Server Health Monitoring Configuration

; Performance monitoring
[/Script/AbioticFactor.AFMonitorSystem]
bEnablePerformanceMonitoring=True
MonitoringInterval=60  ; Seconds
CPUWarningThreshold=80  ; Percentage
RAMWarningThreshold=85  ; Percentage
NetworkWarningThreshold=90  ; Percentage
DiskWarningThreshold=90  ; Percentage

; Alert configuration
bEnableEmailAlerts=False
EmailAlertAddress=admin@example.com
bEnableDiscordAlerts=True
DiscordWebhook=https://discord.com/api/webhooks/...
AlertTypes=ServerDown,HighCPU,HighRAM,PlayerReport

; Logging configuration
LogLevel=Info  ; Debug, Info, Warning, Error
LogToFile=True
LogFileMaxSize=10485760  ; 10MB
LogFileMaxAge=7  ; Days
bEnableRemoteLogging=False
RemoteLoggingURL=

Automated Maintenance Configuration

; Scheduled tasks and maintenance
[/Script/AbioticFactor.AFMaintenanceSystem]
bEnableScheduledRestarts=True
RestartSchedule=04:00  ; Daily at 4 AM
RestartWarningTime=300  ; 5 minute warning
bSaveBeforeRestart=True

; Backup schedule
BackupSchedule=02:00  ; Daily at 2 AM
BackupRetentionDays=30
bCompressBackups=True
BackupCompressionLevel=Normal  ; Fast, Normal, Maximum

; Cleanup tasks
bCleanOldLogs=True
LogRetentionDays=7
bCleanTempFiles=True
TempFileRetentionHours=24
bOptimizeDatabase=True
DatabaseOptimizationSchedule=weekly

Troubleshooting Configuration Issues

Best Practices

Configuration Management

1. Version control: Use Git or similar for configuration files
2. Documentation: Comment complex configurations with reasons
3. Backup: Backup configurations before and after changes
4. Testing: Test configurations on staging server first
5. Monitoring: Monitor performance after configuration changes

Security Practices

1. Strong passwords: Use complex admin and server passwords
2. Regular updates: Keep server and configuration updated
3. Access control: Limit admin access to trusted users
4. Monitoring: Log all admin actions and security events
5. Backups: Regular, tested backups of configurations and saves

Performance Optimization

1. Baseline testing: Establish performance baseline before changes
2. Incremental changes: Change one setting at a time, monitor impact
3. Player feedback: Consider player experience in optimizations
4. Regular reviews: Periodically review and optimize configurations
5. Documentation: Document optimization decisions and results

Migration and Scaling

Configuration Migration Procedure

1. Backup: Complete backup of all configuration files
2. Documentation: Document current settings and customizations
3. New server setup: Fresh installation on new hardware
4. File transfer: Copy configuration files to new location
5. Adjustment: Update hardware-specific settings (paths, IPs, etc.)
6. Testing: Thorough testing before switching to production
7. Switchover: Controlled migration with rollback plan

Scaling Configuration for Larger Servers

1. Hardware-specific optimization: Tune for specific CPU/RAM/network
2. Load distribution: Consider multiple servers for different zones
3. Database optimization: External database for player data
4. Monitoring enhancement: More detailed monitoring at scale
5. Automation: Increased automation for management tasks

Next Steps

• Set up Abiotic Factor dedicated server
• Check server hardware requirements
• Configure maximum player settings
• Set up crossplay between platforms
• Troubleshoot common server issues
• Browse other game server guides