Permafrost Dedicated Server

Official dedicated server status

Permafrost entered Early Access on October 9, 2026, with online co-op for up to four players. The Steam Early Access FAQ says co-op is fully implemented and functional, but it does not mention dedicated servers. No official server tool appears in the Steam library or on the store pages.

The official co-op flow is player hosting. One player chooses Multiplayer, then Host Server, sets a name and optional password, and friends join from the server list. A developer described those steps on the official forum when players had trouble joining.

A Steam Community guide uses the words dedicated server in its title, but it does not claim official server files exist. Guides like that usually describe running the normal game on a spare PC. Read them as workarounds rather than proof of a real server build.

What third-party hosts are selling

Several game-server companies added Permafrost pages around launch. Survival Servers lists Permafrost hosting as coming soon and states that the developers have not published dedicated server files or official hosting details. GTX Gaming in the UK takes pre-orders for a four-slot server at a monthly price.

A pre-order is not a running server. These companies are betting that official files will arrive during Early Access, and they are independent of the developers. Check the refund terms before paying for a server that cannot start yet.

Be careful with search results, too. Many pages that mention a Permafrost server are about Minecraft modpacks with the same name. Make sure a host mentions SpaceRocket Games or Toplitz Productions before you pay.

Best setup without a dedicated server

Without server files, the host player is your server. Pick the group member who plays most often, has the strongest PC and the most stable upload speed. Everyone else's experience depends on that machine.

1. Choose one permanent host for the whole save.
2. Create the world with a clear server name and a password.
3. Pick Story, Survival or Custom rules together, since only the host can change them.
4. Save manually before the host leaves; see how to save.
5. Schedule sessions around the host, because the world goes offline with them.

Some groups leave a spare PC running the game as host for long sessions. That works, but it still needs a copy of the game and someone to manage it. It is the closest thing to a 24/7 world until official files exist.

Server settings you can change

The host chooses the server name, password, player count and whether the server is public or private. World rules come from three presets: Story, Survival and Custom. Story is gentler on hunger, rest and damage, while Survival is the full challenge.

Custom lets the host fine-tune values such as damage and survival drain. It was briefly switched off during the October playtest, so check what your build offers. Our mods page lists the safe tweaks you can make without third-party files.

Public servers appear in the list for anyone to join. Private servers with a password keep the world to your group. The developers say joining strangers is fine, because the game is built around cooperation.

Saves and progress on a hosted world

The world save lives with the host. If the host's PC crashes before a save, everyone loses progress since the last one. Playtesters found autosaves could be over an hour old after a crash, so manual saves matter.

During the playtest a bug caused inventory loss when a client left while the server was loading. The developers fixed it during the test and listed connection issues, kicks and sync problems as priorities. Let the host finish loading before anyone else connects.

Claimed beds and sleeping bags are personal, so each player sets their own respawn point. Loot from some world recipes only went to the player who found it. Our co-op guide lists the other quirks to expect.

Servers and crossplay

A hosted world can only take players from the same store for now. Crossplay between Steam and Epic is in development, according to a developer on the official forum. Our crossplay page tracks what is confirmed.

Dedicated servers and crossplay often arrive together in survival games, because both rely on a shared online backend. Neither is on the four-update Early Access roadmap. Expect them to land as separate patches rather than one big update.

Will official servers come?

The developers have not promised dedicated servers in public. They have said co-op was part of the design from the start and that multiplayer stability is a priority. A small studio of about fifteen people has to pick its battles during Early Access.

Players keep asking for dedicated servers on the forum, especially groups in different time zones. Hosting companies listing the game is a sign the demand is real. We will update this page the moment server files appear on Steam.

Until then, a reliable host, a password and regular saves give you a stable world. The beginner guide is a good shared starting point for a new group. Play the first hours together so nobody falls behind on blueprints.

Tips for a stable hosted world

A player-hosted world can be just as stable as a server if the host is set up well. Most problems in the playtest came from connection drops and loading issues. These habits help.

Use a wired connection for the host if you can, since Wi-Fi drops cause kicks. Close downloads and streaming on the host PC while the group plays. Keep the game and drivers updated on every machine.

If someone cannot find the server in the list, use a Steam friend invite instead. That option arrived in a hotfix during the 2024 demo. Report repeat connection problems on the official forum with your patch number.

Host performance matters

The host's PC runs the world simulation for everyone. A weak machine can cause lag for all players, not just the host. Check our best settings guide before you host a long session.

Lowering shadows and turning on upscaling frees up headroom for the host. If the host plays on a laptop, read can my laptop run Permafrost first. A stable frame rate on the host keeps the group in sync.