How can I make my Nienix server start a game session automatically?

Add your settings to init_commands.txt, one command per line, and put start on the last line. The server reads the file on startup. The config command shows where it expects the file.

Which port do I need to open for Nienix?

Open the port shown by the config command in the server console. Allow it in your operating system’s firewall and, if applicable, your VPS’s network firewall.

Nienix: Set Up a Server on Your VPS

Q: What is the SteamCMD app ID for the Nienix Dedicated Server?

The app ID is 2320610. The download works with +login anonymous, so you don’t need a Steam account or a purchased copy of Nienix.

Learn how to install the Nienix Dedicated Server on your Windows or Linux VPS using SteamCMD and manage it through the server console → Find out more

10 November 20264 min read0 Views0 helpful

Introduction

You can host a Nienix server with ZapX on your own VPS. You have full control over the system and set up the official Nienix Dedicated Server yourself. This guide explains what you need, how to install the server using SteamCMD, and how to manage it afterward.

Info

Nienix is not (yet) included in the Game Server Installer. You’ll need to install the server manually, as described in this guide.

Requirements

Requirement	Nienix
Operating system	Windows (64-bit) or Linux
Server files	Nienix Dedicated Server, SteamCMD app ID `2320610`
Steam account	Not required; the download works with `anonymous`
Access	Remote Desktop (Windows) or SSH (Linux)

The Dedicated Server is a standalone, free Steam tool. You don’t need to own a copy of Nienix on your VPS.

Install Nienix

Windows

Connect to your VPS using Remote Desktop.
Download SteamCMD from Valve and extract it, for example, to C:\steamcmd\.
Open PowerShell and download the server:

Code

C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir C:\GameServers\nienix +login anonymous +app_update 2320610 validate +quit

Start the server using C:\GameServers\nienix\NienixDedicatedServer.exe.

Linux

Connect to your VPS using SSH.
Set up SteamCMD as described in Set Up SteamCMD on Linux. We recommend using a separate user instead of root.
Download the server (run SteamCMD from the SteamCMD folder or use the command you configured there):

Code

steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/steam/nienix +login anonymous +app_update 2320610 validate +quit

Start the server from the server directory using ./NienixDedicatedServer.

Manage the server

After starting, the server loads its content and then indicates that it’s ready to accept input. You control it by entering commands in its console window. Use commands to list all available commands, or cmd_info [Befehl] to get a description of a command.

Command	Effect
`start`	starts a game session (or restarts it)
`stop`	ends the current game session
`exit`	ends the server process
`config`	displays the current configuration, including the port
`name [Name]`	sets the name of the game
`max_players [Anzahl]`	sets the maximum number of players
`password [Passwort]`	sets a password for the game
`privacy [Modus]`	sets whether the game is public or private
`game_mode [Modus]`	changes the game mode
`world_seed [Wert]`	sets the world seed
`stats`	displays statistics for the current session

Tip

To avoid re-entering your settings after every restart, the server reads the init_commands.txt file on startup: add one command per line, and lines beginning with # are ignored. Add your settings to the file and put start on the last line. The config command shows where the server expects the file to be.

Start, stop, and automatically launch the server

Always shut down the server by entering stop and then exit, rather than simply closing the window.

Windows: To automatically start the server after your VPS restarts, create a task in Task Scheduler with the trigger At startup that runs NienixDedicatedServer.exe from the server directory.
Linux: Run the server in a screen or tmux session so it keeps running after you disconnect from SSH and you can return to its console later. You can use a systemd service for automatic startup. Since you manage the server through its console, screen is usually the easier option.

Connect to the server

The server registers with the Nienix master server. Players can then find it in the game’s multiplayer section. If you set a password, players will need it to join. According to the Steam store page, up to 6 players can play the campaign cooperatively, while PvP matches can have up to 40 players.

Ports and firewall

The config command shows which port the server uses. Allow UDP traffic on this port:

Windows: In Windows Firewall. Learn more in Manage Windows Defender Firewall Rules.
Linux: In your system firewall, if you use one. Learn more in Firewall on Linux.

If you use your VPS’s network firewall in the ZapX dashboard, open the port there as well.

Update the server

Updates are not installed automatically. Stop the server and run the same SteamCMD command you used to install it. SteamCMD will then download only the changed files. Players using a newer game version won’t be able to join an outdated server.

Logs

The server writes its log to Logs\log.txt (Linux: Logs/log.txt) in the server directory. It keeps older logs for several days as log.1.txt, log.2.txt, and so on.

Backups

Back up the server directory before updates and major changes, especially your init_commands.txt file. Stop the server first.

Your entire VPS is also backed up automatically every day. With an active ZapX Pass, you can restore these backups yourself and create your own. Learn more in Daily Backups, Restores, and Restricted Actions.

Conclusion

Your Nienix server is now running on your VPS. If something isn’t working as expected, see Nienix: Common Issues. If you have questions or need help, our support team is here for you every day! 🙂

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

No. Nienix is not (yet) included in the Game Server Installer. Install the Nienix Dedicated Server manually using SteamCMD, via Remote Desktop on Windows or SSH on Linux.

The app ID is 2320610. The download works with +login anonymous, so you don’t need a Steam account or a purchased copy of Nienix.

Yes. The Nienix Dedicated Server is available for Windows (64-bit) and Linux. On Windows, run NienixDedicatedServer.exe; on Linux, run ./NienixDedicatedServer.

Feedback

Was this article helpful?

Your feedback helps us prioritize and improve content.

0 of 0 Users found this article helpful.

Personal support

Need more help than the guide provides?

Our ZAP support team knows your product — briefly describe your issue and we'll help you personally.

Which 🍪 cookies would you like to allow?

Nienix: Set Up a Server on Your VPS

Introduction

Requirements

Install Nienix

Windows

Linux

Manage the server

Start, stop, and automatically launch the server

Connect to the server

Ports and firewall

Update the server

Logs

Backups

Conclusion

Frequently asked questions

Nienix

Install Nienix

Windows

Linux

Start, stop, and automatically launch the server

Connect to the server

Ports and firewall

Update the server

Logs

Backups

Conclusion

Game Server

Servers & Hosting

ZAPX

Resources

ZAP-Hosting