How to Set Up a Necesse Dedicated Server

Necesse is a charming top-down survival sandbox that's a delight in co-op, and a dedicated server keeps your world going between sessions. It's Java-based and light on resources, so it runs happily on a small VPS. This guide covers both install routes and a clean systemd service.

What you need

• A Linux VPS: Ubuntu 22.04/24.04. Necesse is light — 2–4 GB RAM is plenty for a typical group.
• Java: the server is Java-based, so you need a JRE installed.
• Open port: 14159 (TCP/UDP), Necesse's default.

Step 1: Create a user and install Java

sudo adduser --disabled-password --gecos "" necesse
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y openjdk-17-jre-headless

Step 2: Install the server

There are two easy routes:

Route A — SteamCMD (recommended): the Necesse Dedicated Server is App ID 1169370:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt install -y lib32gcc-s1 steamcmd
sudo su - necesse
steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/necesse/server +login anonymous +app_update 1169370 validate +quit

Route B — the game's server files: Necesse ships its dedicated server with the game (a StartServer script and Server.jar). Copy those files from your local install to the VPS if you prefer not to use SteamCMD.

Step 3: Open the firewall

sudo ufw allow 14159
sudo ufw reload

Open port 14159 (TCP and UDP) on any provider firewall too.

Step 4: Configure the world

On first launch the server creates a server.cfg (and a settings/config folder). Set the essentials:

• world name — which world to load or create.
• slots — the player cap.
• password — set to keep the server private.
• pause when empty — handy to save CPU when no one's online.
• owner — your in-game auth so you get admin rights.

Step 5: Run it as a systemd service

Create /home/necesse/start.sh:

#!/bin/bash
cd /home/necesse/server
./StartServer-nogui.sh -world "MyWorld" -slots 8 -port 14159

chmod +x /home/necesse/start.sh

# /etc/systemd/system/necesse.service
[Unit]
Description=Necesse Dedicated Server
After=network-online.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=necesse
ExecStart=/home/necesse/start.sh
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now necesse
sudo journalctl -u necesse -f

Step 6: Join and admin

In Necesse, choose Join → enter YOUR_IP:14159 and the password. As the configured owner you'll have admin commands in-game. If you installed via SteamCMD, keep the server current by re-running the +app_update 1169370 command on updates — or automate it.

Admin commands and backups

From the server console (or in-game as the owner) you can run commands like give, tp, kick, ban, and op to promote another player to admin. The pause when empty option is worth enabling on a small box — it stops the world simulation when nobody's online, saving CPU.

Necesse stores worlds in its settings/saves directory. Back it up on a schedule so a bad update or corruption never costs you the world:

# nightly backup, keep a week
0 4 * * * tar -czf /home/necesse/backups/nec-$(date +\%F).tar.gz /home/necesse/.config/Necesse && find /home/necesse/backups -name 'nec-*' -mtime +7 -delete

Because Necesse is so light, it pairs well with other small workloads on a single affordable VPS. For a fuller routine, see how to back up your game server automatically.

FAQ

What port does a Necesse server use?

Port 14159 (TCP and UDP) by default. Open it on the OS and provider firewalls, or change it with the -port argument.

How much RAM does a Necesse server need?

2–4 GB is plenty for a normal group. Necesse is a light, Java-based sandbox, so it doesn't demand much hardware.

Do I need SteamCMD to run a Necesse server?

No — you can copy the Server.jar and start scripts that ship with the game. SteamCMD (App ID 1169370) is just the most convenient way to install and update it on a headless box.

How do I get admin rights on a Necesse server?

Set your account as the server owner in the config (or promote yourself via the console). The owner has full admin commands in-game.

Necesse runs great on a small box — see our affordable VPS plans or launch on game server hosting.