Once you decide to run a dedicated server, use the generator to produce a settings draft.
Multiplayer beginner guide
How do you play Palworld with friends?
Invite codes are fastest for a couple of friends; only long-term groups need a dedicated server. This guide covers both paths, how to join, where settings live, and the new 1.0 multiplayer features.
Pick a path first
Up to 4 who can play at the same time → invite code; more players, mismatched schedules or anytime access → dedicated server (32); no fixed group → just join official servers.
Fastest way for a few friends: invite-code co-op
No server, no file editing: one person hosts, everyone else joins with a code.
| steps | Who | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Host | Enter your world and turn multiplayer ON in World Settings. |
| 2 | Host | Grab the invite code from the in-game menu and send it to friends. |
| 3 | Friends | On the title screen choose “Join Multiplayer Game (Invite Code)” and enter the code. |
| 4 | Everyone | Play — an invite-code world holds up to 4 players. |
| Know this first | Details |
|---|---|
| No host, no game | The world runs on the host's machine; when the host is offline, nobody else can get in. |
| Codes change every session | After the host restarts the game, generate and share a new code. |
| Crossplay just works | Steam, Xbox, PS5 and Mac can all co-op together via invite codes. |
| Characters belong to worlds | Hosting keeps your single-player character; joining someone else's world means creating a new character for that world. |
Long-term groups: dedicated servers
A dedicated server is a world that runs 24/7 on its own: no player needs to stay online, up to 32 people per server — ideal for long-term groups whose schedules don't line up.
| way | Player cap | Who must be online | Maintenance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invite-code co-op | 4 | Host must be online | None | Short-term squad runs |
| dedicated server | 32 | Nobody | Someone must handle backups, settings and upgrades | Long-term groups / communities |
| Official servers | Set by Pocketpair | Nobody | No maintenance, but rules, data and rollbacks are out of your hands | Players without a fixed group |
| How to get a dedicated server | how to do |
|---|---|
| Run it on your own PC | Filter your Steam library by “Tools”, install and launch “Palworld Dedicated Server”; or use SteamCMD (App ID 2394010). |
| Rent one | Rent a managed server from a game-hosting provider — skips PC and network setup, billed monthly. |
| How friends join | Title screen “Join Multiplayer Game” → find your server in the community list, or enter IP and port directly (default 8211), plus the password if set. |
Where settings live: in-game layer and ini layer
| Layer | What it controls | Where to change it |
|---|---|---|
| World Settings (in-game menu) | Gameplay options like difficulty, egg hatch time, death penalty and base count limits. | Single-player and invite-code worlds change it right in the game; agree with your group before opening the world. |
| PalWorldSettings.ini (dedicated-server config file) | Server parameters like player cap, join password, EXP rate, allowed platforms and voice chat. | Dedicated servers have no in-game settings menu: everything lives in this text file, read once at startup — restart after editing. |
The ini file is simply the server's parameter sheet. Hand-editing invites format errors, so we built theSetting generator: tick player count, rates and crossplay to generate a downloadable draft.
| Common fields | In plain words |
|---|---|
| ServerPlayerMaxNum | Concurrent player cap (up to 32 on a dedicated server). |
| ServerPassword | Join password; a must for private servers — without it your server is public. |
| AdminPassword | Admin password; keep it different from the join password. |
| ExpRate | EXP multiplier; too high and it breaks early-game pacing. |
| CrossplayPlatforms | Which platforms may join; default (Steam,Xbox,PS5,Mac). |
| bEnableVoiceChat | In-game voice chat toggle (new in 1.0; not supported on WinGDK). |
| bAllowGlobalPalboxExport / Import | Whether players may take Pals out of / into this world. |
New 1.0 multiplayer features worth turning on
| Feature | How to use |
|---|---|
| Voice chat | Dedicated servers only: enable it in the server's world settings and everyone can use it (not supported on WinGDK). |
| Guild roles & permissions | Assign roles with permissions and restrict certain structures to roles; agree on the permission table before building a shared base. |
| Discord invites | Steam / Mac versions can link a Discord account to invite friends in one click. |
| Hide address for streaming | Turn on server-address hiding before going live to keep strangers out. |
Where to go next
Once the server is up, run this checklist on every update.
Conditional troubleshooting for can't-join, character loss and stutter.
Check which Mods work now, then learn how to install them.
SourceOfficial server docs 1.0.0 + Game8 / wiki.gg verification