How to Change the World Size on a 7 Days to Die Server

You cannot resize an existing 7 Days to Die world. A random generated (RWG) map is built once from WorldGenSeed and WorldGenSize (usually 4096, 6144, 8192 or 10240), and its save only fits that map. To change size, back up, set GameWorld to RWG, pick the new WorldGenSize and a new GameName, then restart so the server generates a new world. The old map and save stay on disk. If your host passes these as launch options, the panel value overrides serverconfig.xml.

What you can change on an existing world

Characters live inside the save, so a new world means everyone starts at level 1. Settle the size before your group sinks a month into a base.

Which size should I pick?

Bigger worlds cost more memory, take longer to generate and download, and spread players out so more of the map is loaded at once. Crossplay servers must stay at 8192 or smaller under The Fun Pimps' crossplay server requirements. More on sizing in 7 Days to Die server requirements.

What goes where

On Windows the same folders are in %APPDATA%\7DaysToDie\. On GamezServers they are under .local/share/7DaysToDie/ in the Files tab.

Step 1: Back up first

Run saveworld in the console, stop the server, and copy the current Saves/<World>/<GameName>/ folder and its GeneratedWorlds/<World>/ map somewhere safe. On GamezServers, press Backup. Nothing in the next steps deletes the old world, but you want a copy before you start juggling names.

Step 2: Set the new size and a new save name

In serverconfig.xml, with the server stopped:

<property name="GameWorld" value="RWG"/>
<property name="WorldGenSeed" value="autumn2026"/>
<property name="WorldGenSize" value="8192"/>
<property name="GameName" value="Season2"/>

A new GameName keeps the new save clearly apart from the old one. Any word works as a seed. On GamezServers, set World to RWG, then World seed, World size and Save name in Settings.

Step 3: Start and let it generate

Start the server and leave it alone. Generating an 8K or 10K world often takes 10 minutes or more on first start, and restarting halfway through leaves a broken half world. Watch the console until the server reports it is ready, then join.

Step 4: Going back to the old world

Put the old seed, size and save name back and restart. The server finds the existing map in GeneratedWorlds and loads your old save, instead of generating again.

The gotcha: size is part of the map's identity

People expect a bigger number to give them the same map, just larger. It does not. The comments in the game's own serverconfig.xml explain that WorldGenSize is combined with WorldGenSeed to make the internal generation seed, which also produces a unique map name. Same seed plus a different size is a completely different world: different towns, different roads, your favourite trader somewhere else.

The same rule works in your favour when you switch back. If a world with the resulting name already exists, the server simply loads it, so the old seed and size together always bring the old map back.

The second trap is on hosted servers. Many hosts, GamezServers included, pass -GameWorld, -WorldGenSeed, -WorldGenSize and -GameName on the start line from their panel. Launch options win over serverconfig.xml, so editing the file changes nothing and the server keeps loading the same world. Change size in the panel instead.

Common problems

• Same world after changing the size: a launch option or panel setting overrides serverconfig.xml, or you edited a different config file from the one the server loads.
• Server runs out of memory or crashes during generation: the world is too big for the RAM. Pick a smaller size or a bigger plan.
• Generation never finishes: it was restarted mid way. Delete the half generated folder in GeneratedWorlds and start again.
• Old base gone: the server is on the new world. Set the old seed, size and save name back.
• Console players cannot join: crossplay servers need WorldGenSize of 8192 or less.
• Disk filling up: every world you generate stays in GeneratedWorlds. Delete ones you no longer need.

On GamezServers

On a 7 Days to Die server from GamezServers, world size is a dropdown (4K, 6K, 8K or 10K) next to World, World seed and Save name in Settings, so there is no XML to edit. Press Backup, change the size, restart, and the old world stays on the server for later. Plans run from 8 GB to 16 GB and you can upgrade before generating a huge map. For other wipes, see how to reset a 7 Days to Die server.

FAQ

Can I make my 7 Days to Die world bigger without starting over?

No. The size is fixed when the map is generated, and the save only fits that map. A bigger size means a new world.

What is the best world size for a 7 Days to Die server?

6144 suits most groups under 8 players. Use 8192 for larger groups and 10240 only with 16 GB of RAM or more.

Will the same seed give me the same map at a bigger size?

No. Seed and size combine to generate the map, so a new size gives a different world even with the same seed.

Will players keep their levels on a new world?

No. Characters are stored in the save, so everyone starts fresh. The old save, with their characters, stays on disk if you switch back.