Palworld: Dedicated Server Differences
Moving from a local Co-op world to a **Dedicated Server** transforms the experience. The world is persistent, meaning life goes on even when you log off. Here are the critical gameplay changes you need to know.
1. The World Never Pauses
Unlike single-player, hitting ESC does not pause the game. Hunger drops, raids trigger, and Pals work 24/7 (as long as chunks are loaded).
2. Sleep Mechanics
You cannot simply "sleep the night away" by yourself. **All online players** must lie in a bed simultaneously to skip the night cycle.
3. Base Permanence
Your base defends itself while you are offline. Ideally, your Pals will eat and work, but they can also get stuck, sick, or raided if you aren't there to manage them.
Key Gameplay Shifts
Server-Side Raids
Raids can happen at any time. If you are online alone, the game detects you as a target. Ensure your base defenses (Walls, Traps, mounted Machine Guns) are automated, as you might not be able to pause and equip gear instantly.
The "Offline" Production
Generally, if no players are near a base, the server "unloads" the area to save RAM. Pits and Ranches might simulate production based on time passed, but pathing-based tasks (Transporting) often pause.
Tip: Log in frequently to "refresh" your base chunks if you notice production stalling.
Guild Limits
Dedicated servers often enforce a **20-30 Player Limit** per Guild (configurable). This is higher than the Co-op limit of 4, allowing for massive community projects.
Essential Configs for Servers
Because the game doesn't pause, you might want to adjust these settings in your PalWorldSettings.ini to prevent waking up to starving Pals:
PalStomachDecreaceRate: Lower this (e.g., 0.5) so Pals get hungry slower.StructureDamageRate: Lower this if you are worried about offline raids destroying your work.AutoResetGuildNoOnlinePlayers: Ensure this is False (usually 0) so the server doesn't delete your guild after inactivity!
A living world. Host your Palworld server with Supercraft and invite up to 32 players to build a persistent empire that runs even while you sleep.