Getting started with Windrose

This guide walks you through setting up your Windrose server on ServerPrism. You'll learn how to order your server, configure its basic settings, and connect to it with your friends.

Before you start

Before you begin, you need to have a ServerPrism account and be ready to order a server.

Ordering on ServerPrism

1. Log in to your ServerPrism account and navigate to the server ordering page.
2. Select the Windrose game server type.
3. Choose your plan. Windrose generally requires at least 8 GB of RAM for a smooth experience, especially with multiple players. For larger communities or extensive exploration, consider up to 32 GB of RAM.
4. Select your preferred region. Choose a region geographically close to most of your players to minimize latency.
5. Complete the deployment process. Your server will begin provisioning immediately.

First boot

After ordering, your Windrose server will automatically install and start. This process usually takes a few minutes. You can monitor the server's status and view the console output directly from your ServerPrism panel at https://serverprism.com/dashboard.

Your server is ready when the console output indicates that the server has finished loading and is listening for connections. You should see messages similar to "Server started on port XXXX" or "Game world loaded."

Connecting / inviting players

To connect to your Windrose server:

1. Find your server's IP address and port. These are displayed prominently on the main page of your server in the ServerPrism panel.
2. Launch Windrose on your computer.
3. In the game, navigate to the Multiplayer or Join Server section.
4. Select Direct Connect or Add Server.
5. Enter your server's IP address and port (e.g., 192.0.2.1:7777).
6. Click Connect.

To invite players, simply share your server's IP address and port with them. They will follow the same steps to join.

Configuration basics

Most core Windrose server settings are configured in the Game.ini and ServerSettings.ini files, located in the Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ directory via the ServerPrism file manager. Some common settings you might want to adjust include:

• Server Name: Look for a setting like ServerName= in ServerSettings.ini. Change this to give your server a unique name that players will see in the server browser.
• Max Players: Adjust MaxPlayers= in ServerSettings.ini to set the maximum number of concurrent players.
• Server Password: To protect your server, set ServerPassword= in ServerSettings.ini. Players will need this password to join.
• PvE/PvP Settings: Windrose offers various settings to control player-versus-player combat. Explore Game.ini for options like bAllowPVP= or other related combat rules.
• Difficulty/Rates: Settings for experience rates, harvesting rates, and damage multipliers can often be found in Game.ini.

To edit these files:

1. Go to your server's panel at https://serverprism.com/dashboard.
2. Click on Files in the sidebar.
3. Navigate to Saved/Config/LinuxServer/.
4. Click on Game.ini or ServerSettings.ini to open the text editor.
5. Make your changes and click Save Content.
6. Restart your server for the changes to take effect.

Some basic settings may also be available as Startup Variables in your ServerPrism panel. Check the Startup tab for easy access to frequently changed options. Changes made here will override settings in config files if they conflict.

Common issues

• "Connection timed out" or "Server not responding":

  • Check server status: Ensure your server is running in the ServerPrism panel. If it's stopped, start it.
  • Verify IP/Port: Double-check that you are using the correct IP address and port displayed in your panel.
  • Firewall: While ServerPrism handles server-side firewalls, ensure your local PC firewall isn't blocking Windrose from connecting.
  • Restart server: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve transient network issues.

• Server not appearing in the in-game browser:

  • Direct Connect first: Always try direct connecting with IP and port first. If that works, the server is online.
  • Server Name: Ensure your ServerName= is unique and not blank in ServerSettings.ini.
  • Public Visibility: Check ServerSettings.ini for any bIsPublic= or similar settings that might prevent it from appearing in the public list.

• Settings not applying after edit:

  • Restart server: Always restart your Windrose server from the ServerPrism panel after making changes to Game.ini or ServerSettings.ini.
  • Correct file/path: Ensure you are editing the correct configuration file in the Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ directory.
  • Startup Variables: If a setting is also available as a Startup Variable in your panel, the variable will take precedence. Check the Startup tab.

Next steps

Now that your Windrose server is up and running, you might want to explore further customization:

• Mods and Plugins: Windrose has an active modding community. Refer to official Windrose modding guides or community forums for instructions on installing client-side and server-side modifications. Typically, server-side mods involve placing files in specific directories within your server's file structure via SFTP or the file manager.
• Server Administration: Use the web console in your ServerPrism panel to execute in-game administration commands (e.g., kicking players, broadcasting messages).
• Backups: Regularly back up your server's save data. ServerPrism provides backup functionality, which you can manage from your panel.
• Upgrading your plan: If your player count grows or you install resource-intensive mods, you can upgrade your server's RAM or CPU from your ServerPrism customer dashboard without reordering.