Abiotic Factor Sandbox Settings Explained (Server Guide)

Abiotic Factor sandbox settings are stored in SandboxSettings.ini inside each world's save folder, under a [SandboxSettings] header. On a dedicated server that is AbioticFactor/Saved/SaveGames/Server/Worlds/<WorldName>/SandboxSettings.ini. Stop the server, edit the values and start it again. The options most groups change are LootRespawnEnabled, DeathPenalties, EnemySpawnRate, the hunger and thirst multipliers and PowerSocketsOffAtNight.

Where is SandboxSettings.ini on a dedicated server?

The file is created per world, so every world on the server has its own copy. The default world is called Cascade, which gives this path on a self hosted server:

<server install>/AbioticFactor/Saved/SaveGames/Server/Worlds/Cascade/SandboxSettings.ini

If you started the server with -WorldSaveName=MyLab, look in Worlds/MyLab instead. The developers' launch parameter reference also lists -SandboxIniPath=, which points the server at a different file relative to the Saved folder. That is handy when you run several servers from one install and want each to keep its own rules.

In single player or a hosted co-op game, use Open Save Folder in game to find the same file for that world.

How do you apply sandbox changes?

1. Stop the server. A running server can write the file back over your edits.
2. Open SandboxSettings.ini in a text editor (or a file manager on a hosted server).
3. Make sure the very first line is [SandboxSettings]. Without that header the server ignores the whole file.
4. Change the values you want, one Key=Value per line.
5. Save and start the server. Changes only apply after a restart.

The developers publish a commented default SandboxSettings.ini on GitHub. If your file is missing or broken, copy that one in and edit from there. Take a backup of the world folder before big changes, since some options (like Hardcore Mode) are hard to undo for characters already in the world.

Which world settings are worth changing?

These control the facility itself. Defaults are what you get on a fresh world.

LootRespawnEnabled is the one most server owners regret not turning on. In a world that runs for weeks, cleared sectors stay empty forever without it, and late joiners find nothing to scavenge. The developers note it can affect balance, so pair it with a slightly higher EnemySpawnRate if the run starts to feel too easy.

PowerSocketsOffAtNight=False makes the game noticeably easier, but if you set DayNightCycleState=2 (always night) you need it, or your base never has power.

Which enemy settings should you change?

For a full team of 6 that finds the default too easy, raise EnemySpawnRate to 1.5 and EnemyHealthMultiplier to 1.25 before touching difficulty. That keeps enemy behavior the same while making each sector take longer to clear. For a casual group, EnemyDeployableDamageMultiplier=0.5 stops a single bad night from wrecking a base.

Which player settings matter most?

A popular "busy adults" preset is HungerSpeedMultiplier=0.75, ThirstSpeedMultiplier=0.75, ContinenceSpeedMultiplier=0.5, PlayerXPGainMultiplier=1.5 and ItemStackSizeMultiplier=2. It keeps survival in play but cuts the chores, which matters when your group gets two hours a night.

Leave DeathPenalties at 1 for most groups. Option 0 removes most of the tension, and 4 or 5 makes a disconnect in the wrong place very painful. If someone drops at a bad moment, HostAccessPlayerCorpses=True (the default) lets the host collect their death bag.

What do the social and quality of life options do?

• AllowRecipeSharing (True): players can share learned recipes. Leave it on for co-op.
• AllowPagers (True): pagers help find teammates. Turning them off makes the facility feel much bigger.
• AllowTransmog (True): change how armor looks without changing stats.
• ShowDeathMessages (True): announce deaths in chat.
• AllowCharacterReset (True): lets players reset job, skills and traits later.
• StorageByTag (True): containers only accept their item type, so a fridge only holds food. False lets anything go anywhere.
• PlayerFurnitureDestruction (False): broken furniture packs up to rebuild rather than vanishing.

Which settings make the game harder?

For groups that have finished the story and want a second run:

[SandboxSettings]
GameDifficulty=2
LootRespawnEnabled=False
EnemySpawnRate=1.5
EnemyHealthMultiplier=1.5
DetectionSpeedMultiplier=1.25
DeathPenalties=4
InvisibleRadiation=True
RadiationDealsDamage=True
TaintedSinkWater=True
ApocalypticAbilities=True

HardcoreMode=True goes further: one life each, Apocalyptic difficulty forced, and dead characters can only spectate unless an admin revives them. AllowIronMode adds the Iron Mode job, but only works with Hardcore on.

How do player cap and admins fit in?

Those are not sandbox settings. The player cap is the -MaxServerPlayers= launch option, which the developers allow from 1 to 24, though anything above 6 shows players a warning because the game is balanced for 1 to 6. Admins are set per server in Admin.ini under Saved/SaveGames/Server/. Our Abiotic Factor server setup guide covers launch options, ports and admin setup.

FAQ

Where is SandboxSettings.ini in Abiotic Factor?

In the world's save folder. On a dedicated server that is AbioticFactor/Saved/SaveGames/Server/Worlds/<WorldName>/SandboxSettings.ini, and the default world name is Cascade.

Why are my sandbox settings not working?

The file must start with the [SandboxSettings] header, the server must be stopped while you edit, and changes only apply after a restart. Also check you edited the folder of the world the server actually loads.

How do I turn on loot respawn in Abiotic Factor?

Set LootRespawnEnabled=True in SandboxSettings.ini and restart. Resources respawn over time, but furniture does not.

Can I change sandbox settings on an existing world?

Yes. Most settings take effect on the next start without a new world. Back up first if you are switching on Hardcore Mode.

How do I make Abiotic Factor easier for a casual group?

Lower the hunger, thirst and continence multipliers to around 0.5 to 0.75, raise ItemStackSizeMultiplier to 2, and set EnemyDeployableDamageMultiplier to 0.5 to protect your base.

The easy option

If you would rather not keep a PC on for the night shift, our Abiotic Factor servers keep the facility online and let you edit the rules in the file manager or over SFTP. Our servers start with a fixed sandbox file, so edit AbioticFactor/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/SandboxSettings.ini rather than the copy in the world folder. The server name, password and player cap are in the panel, and you can take a backup before trying a harder ruleset, then roll back if the run goes badly.