How to Host The Isle Evrima Server (2026 Guide)

To host The Isle Evrima server, download app 412680 with SteamCMD using -beta evrima, run TheIsleServer once to create its configs, add the Epic Online Services lines to Engine.ini, then set your name, player count and rules in Game.ini. Open UDP 7777 for the game, plus TCP 10000 for the queue and TCP 8888 if you turn on RCON. Admins go in AdminsSteamIDs as Steam64 IDs. Up to 100 players.

What do you need to host an Evrima server?

The Isle is heavy on the server side. Every player is a dinosaur with its own growth and status, AI creatures roam the map, and Gateway is a large map. A rough guide:

You also want a fast CPU (single thread speed matters most for Unreal Engine servers), an SSD and a solid upload. Windows and Linux server builds both exist. For more on sizing, see how much RAM a game server needs.

How do I install The Isle Evrima dedicated server?

1. Install SteamCMD.
2. Download the server from the evrima beta branch. Without -beta evrima you get the old Legacy build, which modern clients cannot join:

steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\TheIsleServer +login anonymous +app_update 412680 -beta evrima validate +quit

3. Start it once so it creates its config folder, then stop it:

TheIsleServer.exe /Game/TheIsle/Maps/Game/Gateway/Gateway?Port=7777 -log

4. Edit the configs in TheIsle\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\ (or LinuxServer on Linux), as described below.
5. Start the server again and check the log for errors.

Update the server with the same SteamCMD line whenever the game patches. Players on a newer client cannot join an older server.

What goes in Engine.ini?

Evrima servers authenticate through Epic Online Services, so Engine.ini needs an [EpicOnlineServices] section with the dedicated server client ID and secret:

[EpicOnlineServices]
DedicatedServerClientId=the-shared-client-id
DedicatedServerClientSecret=the-shared-client-secret

Every community server uses the same shared values, which are published in community hosting guides such as theisle.info. Without them the server will not register.

How do I configure Game.ini?

Game.ini has two sections that matter, and putting a key in the wrong one is the classic mistake. Session settings go under TIGameSession, while admin and whitelist lists go under TIGameStateBase.

[/Script/TheIsle.TIGameSession]
ServerName=My Evrima Server
MaxPlayerCount=60
MapName=Gateway
bServerPassword=false
ServerPassword=
bServerWhitelist=false
bQueueEnabled=true
QueuePort=10000
bRconEnabled=true
RconPassword=change-me
RconPort=8888
bEnableHumans=false
bEnableMutations=true
bServerDynamicWeather=true
ServerDayLengthMinutes=45
GrowthMultiplier=1
bSpawnAI=true
AIDensity=1

[/Script/TheIsle.TIGameStateBase]
AdminsSteamIDs=76561198000000001
AdminsSteamIDs=76561198000000002
WhitelistIDs=76561198000000003

Settings most owners change:

The same state base section also holds VIPs and AllowedClasses, the list of playable species. Remove a species from AllowedClasses to keep it off your server, which is how realism servers trim the roster.

What ports does The Isle Evrima server use?

Running several servers on one machine? Shift each block: 7777 to 7787, 8888 to 8889, 10000 to 10001, and so on. At home you need to forward these ports; our port forwarding guide shows how.

How do I add admins on The Isle?

1. Get each admin's Steam64 ID (the 17 digit number starting with 7656).
2. Stop the server.
3. Add one AdminsSteamIDs= line per admin under [/Script/TheIsle.TIGameStateBase].
4. Start the server.

If admin rights do not work, the section header is almost always wrong. Under TIGameSession the server silently ignores the IDs.

How do I use RCON and the whitelist?

Set bRconEnabled=true, a strong RconPassword and an open RconPort, then connect with an RCON tool that supports The Isle. Staff can kick, ban, announce and manage the whitelist without being in game, which is how most communities moderate.

For a private server, either set bServerPassword=true with a ServerPassword, or set bServerWhitelist=true and list players in WhitelistIDs. A whitelist suits roleplay communities that vet members on Discord first. More ways to lock a server down are in how to make a game server private.

FAQ

How many players can The Isle Evrima server hold?

The default and practical maximum is 100 players. Performance drops past that, so most big servers stop at 100.

Why can players not join my Evrima server?

The usual causes are a server on an older build than players, missing EOS lines in Engine.ini, or a closed UDP game port. Update with SteamCMD on the evrima branch and check the log.

Where is the Game.ini for The Isle server?

It is in TheIsle/Saved/Config/WindowsServer on Windows or TheIsle/Saved/Config/LinuxServer on Linux. Run the server once to create it.

Why are my admin IDs ignored?

AdminsSteamIDs must be under [/Script/TheIsle.TIGameStateBase], not the session section. Use full Steam64 IDs and restart after editing.

Can I choose which dinosaurs are playable?

Yes. Edit the AllowedClasses list in Game.ini and remove any species you do not want on the server.

The easy option: host it with us

If you would rather not run SteamCMD branches and edit Engine.ini, you can rent The Isle server from us. The panel covers the server name, password, player count, dynamic weather, replay, humans and the join queue, plus RCON with its own password and port, and auto update keeps it on the newest Evrima build. Game.ini is in the file manager for admins, whitelist, VIPs and species. It is ready minutes after you pay, with DDoS protection and 24/7 support. New customers get 50% off the first month, and staff can split the bill from a link. Looking at other dinosaur games too? See dinosaur games with dedicated servers.