Master Your Own RuneScape: Dragonwilds Dedicated Server

Crossplay connects PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. A standard hosted session supports four players in total, including the host; the official dedicated-server guide documents a separate maximum of six. Offline solo play is also available. For crossplay, enable it when loading the world and use the in-game world browser or invite code. A normal hosted world requires its host to stay online; a dedicated world remains accessible while its server is running.

Choosing Your Hosting Method: Shockbyte vs. Self-Hosting

Before diving into the command line, you must decide where your server will live. Jagex has partnered with Shockbyte to provide a streamlined experience, but many community members prefer the control of a home-hosted machine. Each method has distinct trade-offs regarding cost, difficulty, and maintenance.

For most players, the choice comes down to technical comfort. According to player experience reports, home hosting is excellent for small groups of friends with high-speed internet, while managed hosting is superior for communities that want 24/7 stability without leaving a home PC running indefinitely.

Server requirements

The official dedicated-server guide specifies a 64-bit Windows or Linux host, 2 GB base RAM plus 1 GB per player: 4 GB for two players or 8 GB for six. This is a sizing guideline, not a guarantee of smooth performance. Leave headroom for the operating system and other processes; monitor actual CPU, memory and network use.

Ports and connectivity

The default game port is UDP 7777. The official guide uses 7778 for a second server instance, not as a compulsory secondary port for one server. Forward the port configured for your instance and allow it through the firewall. If inbound access is blocked by CGNAT, ask the ISP about available public-address options or consider suitable hosting; bridge mode alone is not a universal CGNAT solution.

Step-by-Step Installation via SteamCMD

If you have chosen the home-hosting route on Windows, SteamCMD is the most efficient way to manage your server files. This command-line version of Steam allows you to download and update the server without the overhead of the full Steam GUI.

1. Download SteamCMD: Obtain the official files from the Valve Developer Community and extract them to a dedicated folder (e.g., C:\SteamCMD).
2. Initialize the Directory: Open a command prompt in that folder and run the following command to set the install path and download the files: steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\DragonwildsServer +login anonymous +app_update 4019830 validate +quit
3. Create a Launch Script: In your server folder, create a new text file named start.bat. Right-click to edit it and paste the following: RSDragonwildsServer.exe -log -NewConsole

Configuration and troubleshooting

Stop the server before editing DedicatedServer.ini; changes made while it is running may be overwritten. Use Saved/Config/WindowsServer on Windows or Saved/Config/Linux on Linux. Set OwnerID, ServerName, DefaultWorldName and the admin password as documented. Search for the exact, case-sensitive world name in the Public browser. If it is missing, compare server and client versions, inspect logs and confirm the configured network port. Update and restart the server after a patch; do not treat any one cause as certain without checking.

World migration and backups

1. Stop the server before editing configuration or replacing world files. Back up both the existing server saves and the local world you want to import.
2. In the local %LOCALAPPDATA%\RSDragonwilds\Saved\SaveGames folder, identify the intended world’s latest .sav. Keep a separate backup before following the official guide’s replacement procedure.
3. Copy the world save into the dedicated server’s RSDragonwilds/Saved/SaveGames location, matching the intended world name and configuration. Do not overwrite an unrelated world.
4. Restart and verify the correct world loads. This is world-file migration, not universal character cross-save between storefronts. Stop and restore the backup if the result is wrong.

Current version

RuneScape: Dragonwilds left Early Access on September 15, 2026. The official Steam announcement confirms that update 1.0.1 is live as of October 14, 2026. Its changes include inventory space increasing from 32 to 40, separate ring and amulet slots, and save fixes. Some save problems remain under investigation; an update is not a guarantee that every damaged save can be recovered.

FAQ

How many players can join?

Crossplay connects PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. A standard hosted session supports four players in total, including the host; the official dedicated-server guide documents a separate maximum of six. Offline solo play is also available. For crossplay, enable it when loading the world and use the in-game world browser or invite code. A normal hosted world requires its host to stay online; a dedicated world remains accessible while its server is running.

Can I import a local world?

1. Stop the server before editing configuration or replacing world files. Back up both the existing server saves and the local world you want to import.
2. In the local %LOCALAPPDATA%\RSDragonwilds\Saved\SaveGames folder, identify the intended world’s latest .sav. Keep a separate backup before following the official guide’s replacement procedure.
3. Copy the world save into the dedicated server’s RSDragonwilds/Saved/SaveGames location, matching the intended world name and configuration. Do not overwrite an unrelated world.
4. Restart and verify the correct world loads. This is world-file migration, not universal character cross-save between storefronts. Stop and restore the backup if the result is wrong.

Official sources

• server
• latest