How to Change a Game Server Name and Description (Every Game)

To change a game server's name, edit the game's list name setting (motd in Minecraft's server.properties, server.hostname in Rust, SessionName in ARK, PublicName in Project Zomboid, hostname in DayZ's serverDZ.cfg), save, and restart, because almost every game only reads it at start. Then give the server browser a few minutes to refresh. Never touch the save name setting (-servername in Project Zomboid, GameName in 7 Days to Die) by mistake: changing that one starts a new world.

Name settings versus save settings

The world is never stored under the list name, so renaming the server is always safe. Renaming the save is a reset in disguise.

Where does each game keep the server name?

Step 1: Back up the file

Copy the config file before you edit it, or press Backup on GamezServers. A stray quote in JSON or XML is enough to stop some servers starting.

Step 2: Stop the server

Stop it first. Games like Conan Exiles and ARK write their settings back to disk when they shut down, which can undo edits made while they were running.

Step 3: Edit the name

Keep the important words first, since server browsers cut long names short. A few examples:

# Rust server.cfg
server.hostname "Viking Crew | Monthly wipe | 2x"
server.description "Small group server.\nWipes the first Thursday of the month."

# 7 Days to Die serverconfig.xml
<property name="ServerName" value="Viking Crew PvE"/>
<property name="ServerDescription" value="Horde night every 7 days, Discord in the website link"/>

# Project Zomboid servertest.ini
PublicName=Viking Crew Build 42
PublicDescription=Friendly PvE, whitelist on request

Step 4: Restart and wait for the list

Start the server, then search for it by the new name. Server lists that run through Steam can take a few minutes to show the change, and players with the server in their favourites may see the old name until their browser refreshes. Joining by address works straight away.

How do Minecraft colour codes work?

Minecraft Java's motd takes section sign colour codes. Because server.properties is a Java properties file, write the section sign as §, which always works, rather than pasting the symbol itself:

motd=§6§lViking Crew SMP§r\n§7Survival, whitelist, Discord in bio

\n starts the second line. Other games' browsers are built for plain text, so stick to letters, numbers and simple punctuation there.

The gotcha: the panel name wins, and Valheim checks your password

A launch option or panel overwrites your edit. Hosts usually manage the name from their panel and pass it on the start line or write it into the config. Editing the file then works until the next restart, when the old name comes back. On GamezServers, the Name and server list card in Settings sets the name (and the description where the game has one) for Valheim, Rust, ARK, 7 Days to Die, Palworld, Project Zomboid, DayZ, Enshrouded, Satisfactory, Counter-Strike 2, Factorio, Conan Exiles and more, and for Minecraft Java it writes the motd, colour codes escaped for you.

Valheim refuses to start if the password is part of the name. The game requires the join password to have at least 5 characters and not appear inside the server name. Rename "Wolfpack Server" to something containing your password, for example a password of wolf1 and a name of "wolf1 crew", and the server stops at launch. Pick a name and a password that share nothing.

Two smaller traps: Project Zomboid's -servername is the save name, not the list name, so change PublicName instead. And names with special characters can break a launch line on self hosted servers, so wrap them in quotes.

Common problems

• Old name back after a restart: the panel or a launch option sets it. Change it in the panel.
• New name not in the browser yet: Steam based lists take a few minutes. Join by address meanwhile.
• Project Zomboid opened a fresh world: you changed -servername (the save name). Change it back, and use PublicName for the list.
• Valheim server will not start after renaming: the password appears inside the new name.
• Minecraft MOTD shows odd characters: the section sign was pasted raw. Use §.
• Name cut off: list names have length limits. Put the key words first.

Renaming on GamezServers

On every GamezServers game, open Settings, type the new name and description in Name and server list, save, and restart. You never edit a config file for it, and the save name settings are separate fields, so a rename cannot reset your world by accident. For keeping strangers out once the server is listed, see how to make a game server private.

FAQ

Do I need to restart to change my server name?

Yes, for nearly every game. The name is read when the server starts, and Steam based lists can take a few more minutes to update.

Will changing the server name reset my world?

No. The world is stored under the save name, not the list name. Only changing settings like Project Zomboid's -servername or 7 Days to Die's GameName starts a new world.

How do I add colours to my Minecraft server name?

Put section sign codes in motd in server.properties, written as § followed by the code, for example §6 for gold.

Why did my server name change back?

Your host's panel sets the name on every start. Change it in the panel instead of the config file.