Best New Games With Dedicated Servers in 2026 (So Far)

The best new games with dedicated servers in 2026 are Valheim 1.0, Palworld 1.0, RuneScape: Dragonwilds 1.0, Soulmask 1.0, Ground Branch V1.0, HumanitZ 1.0, Astro Colony and The Bus, plus two huge updates that changed their servers: Project Zomboid Build 42 going stable and Conan Exiles Enhanced. 2026 was the year a lot of long running early access survival games finally shipped, and every one of them has a dedicated server you can run. Server sizes range from 4 GB for Valheim or Dragonwilds to 12 GB for Palworld and Soulmask.

This list covers what has already released by early October 2026. For what is still coming, including Enshrouded 1.0 on 15 October and Stormforge on 10 November, see upcoming dedicated server games and updates.

2026 releases at a glance

1. Valheim 1.0

Iron Gate ended early access on 9 September 2026 with the Deep North biome. For servers, 1.0 brought a new folder based world save format that saves faster, crossplay with PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 alongside Xbox and Game Pass, and a player cap that stays at 10. Old worlds convert the first time they load, and BepInEx mods needed updating.

• RAM: 4 GB vanilla for up to 5, 6 GB for 10, 8 GB with modpacks.
• Read next: Valheim 1.0 dedicated server update and Deep North on an existing world.

2. Palworld 1.0

Palworld left early access on 10 July 2026. Dedicated servers gained optional in game voice chat, guild roles and permissions, safer saving and new default world settings, and Steam, Xbox, PS5 and Mac players can share one server. Old mods were the biggest risk to existing worlds.

• RAM: 12 GB for up to 8, 16 GB for up to 16, 24 GB for 32.
• Read next: Palworld 1.0 dedicated server changes.

3. RuneScape: Dragonwilds 1.0

Jagex's survival RPG hit 1.0 on 15 September 2026, and dedicated worlds now support crossplay across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2. A dedicated server is the only way a console group gets an always online world, and it holds 6 players instead of 4.

• RAM: 4 GB for a duo, 8 GB for a full 6.
• Read next: RuneScape: Dragonwilds crossplay dedicated server.

4. Soulmask 1.0

Version 1.0 arrived in April 2026. Lead a tribe of recruits who work your settlement while you fight across an ancient world, with up to 70 players per server for PvE or PvP.

• RAM: 12 GB for up to 10 players.
• Read next: Soulmask dedicated server settings explained.

5. Ground Branch V1.0

BlackFoot Studios' methodical tactical shooter reached V1.0 on 16 July 2026 after a long early access. Co-op is built for up to 8 against AI and PvP for 8v8. A dedicated server moves the AI work off a player's gaming PC.

• RAM: 6 GB for a co-op squad of 8, 8 GB for full 16 player PvP.

6. HumanitZ 1.0

Isometric open world zombie survival that left early access in February 2026. The panel exposes an unusually long list of rules: PvP and permadeath, zombie stats, loot timers, seasons and more, without opening an ini file.

• RAM: 6 GB for a few friends, 8 GB for the default 16 slots.

7. Astro Colony

Space automation on voxel planets, out of early access since June 2026. Conveyor chains, oxygen and food supply, and more than 70 technologies for a crew of up to 10.

• RAM: 4 GB for a few friends, 8 GB for a full 10.

8. The Bus

TML-Studios' Berlin bus simulator left early access in March 2026. Multiplayer always runs through a separate server program, so driving clubs keep one running for shifts.

• RAM: 6 GB for a few drivers, 8 GB for up to 20.

Big 2026 updates that changed servers

Project Zomboid Build 42 went stable on 29 July 2026, bringing multiplayer back with server authoritative inventories and loot. Build 41 stays available on the legacy41 branch. See Project Zomboid Build 41 vs Build 42 multiplayer.

Conan Exiles moved Steam to Conan Exiles Enhanced in May 2026, an Unreal Engine 5 upgrade that merged the Isle of Siptah into the Exiled Lands. Epic and Microsoft Store players stayed on Legacy, and our panel has both server types.

Late 2025 arrivals still worth a look

Necesse 1.0 and The Front 1.0 (both October 2025), No One Survived 1.0 (December 2025), and early access debuts VEIN (October 2025), Voyagers of Nera (September 2025), Brickadia (July 2025) and Wreckfest 2 (March 2025).

Starting a server for a new release

1. Expect patches. New 1.0 builds patch often in the first weeks. Keep the server updated the same day the game updates.
2. Hold off on mods. Mods break at 1.0. Start vanilla and add them once they update.
3. Back up before every update. One click backups make a bad patch a two minute problem.
4. Size up after a week. New saves are small. Upgrade the plan once the world grows, prorated.

Play the new ones on your own server

A GamezServers server is live within minutes of paying (big games take a little longer to install), with every setting from the game's server template in the panel, an update path for new patches, one click backups and DDoS protection. Split the bill with up to 10 friends, and new customers get 50% off the first month. Start with Valheim or Palworld.

FAQ

What new games came out with dedicated servers in 2026?

Valheim 1.0, Palworld 1.0, RuneScape: Dragonwilds 1.0, Soulmask 1.0, Ground Branch V1.0, HumanitZ 1.0, Astro Colony and The Bus all launched or left early access in 2026 with dedicated servers.

When did Valheim 1.0 come out?

On 9 September 2026, with the Deep North biome and crossplay for PlayStation 5 and Switch 2.

Is Enshrouded 1.0 out yet?

Not as of early October 2026. It releases on 15 October 2026 on PC and PlayStation 5.

What is the best new survival game to host in 2026?

Valheim 1.0 for small groups on a budget, Palworld 1.0 for bigger groups and crossplay, and Soulmask for large PvE or PvP communities.