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.

{{SCREENSHOT}}

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.