Best Simulation Games With Dedicated Servers (2026)

The best simulation games with dedicated servers are Nuclear Option, Stormworks: Build and Rescue, The Bus, Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator, Kerbal Space Program with Dark MultiPlayer, OpenRCT2, Archean and Stationeers. Each turns a solo sim into a shared one: a squadron flying a mission rotation, a rescue crew in a storm, a bus network with colleagues on the same lines. Most need only 2 to 6 GB of RAM, since much of the physics runs on each player's PC.

Simulation groups have one thing in common: they play on schedules. Virtual trucking companies run weekly convoys, flight squadrons hold Friday operations, bus clubs keep shifts going. A dedicated server is what makes a schedule possible, because nobody has to be the host who keeps the session alive. For racing sims like Assetto Corsa and BeamMP, see best racing games with dedicated servers.

Simulation games compared

1. Nuclear Option

A fast modern air combat sim from Shockfront Studios, with a free dedicated server released with update 0.31. The server runs a mission rotation from one config file, DedicatedServerConfig.json, and lists itself in the in game browser. Built in operations like Escalation on Heartland and Terminal Control on the Ignus Archipelago run alongside co-op missions and Workshop missions by item ID.

• Players: you set the cap. Shockfront recommends 16, because the server simulates every unit in the mission.
• RAM: 3 GB for a squadron of up to 8, 4 GB for 16, 6 GB for 32 or unit heavy missions.
• Read next: Nuclear Option server mission rotation.

2. Stormworks: Build and Rescue

Design boats, helicopters, planes and trucks part by part with working engines, electrics, fluids and logic, then take them into storms to rescue people. Multiplayer is where builds get tested: a rescue boat one player designed, crewed by three others at night. Career worlds have money and missions, creative servers are for showing off.

• RAM: 4 GB for a small group, 6 GB for 10 plus players or large ships and aircraft, 8 GB for a busy 32 player server with addons.

3. The Bus

A city bus simulator on 1:1 routes through Berlin, with licensed buses, tickets and timetables. It left Early Access in March 2026. Multiplayer always runs through a separate server program, so driving clubs and virtual transit companies host one to keep shifts going around the clock.

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

4 and 5. Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator

SCS Software's Convoy mode puts up to 8 drivers on the same map, taking jobs side by side and rolling into cities as a line of trucks. A dedicated Convoy server means your company can join whenever, and we make the Steam token at setup so the lobby keeps the same search ID between restarts. Map DLC and mods come from server packages you export from your own game.

• RAM: 2 GB for a convoy of 8, 4 GB with map DLC and mods.
• Read next: how to host a Euro Truck Simulator 2 convoy server.

6. Kerbal Space Program with Dark MultiPlayer

An open source mod that puts a group in one KSP universe. Build in your own hangar, meet in orbit, dock with a friend's station. Subspace warping lets each player time warp on their own clock and sync later. Physics runs on each player's PC, so the server is tiny.

• RAM: 1 GB for sandbox or science mode, 2 GB for a career universe.

7. OpenRCT2

An open source rebuild of RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 with real online multiplayer: everyone works on the same park at once. Each player needs the original RCT2 or RCT Classic files. A server keeps a long term group park open, and you choose the OpenRCT2 version so connection errors stay rare.

• RAM: 2 GB for a few friends, 4 GB for a full 16 player park.

8. Archean

A physics driven engineering sandbox in a full scale solar system. Build rovers, bases and spacecraft from components and program them in the in game XenonCode language. Creative mode plays like a shared workshop, adventure mode adds resources and survival.

• RAM: 8 GB for a small crew, 16 GB for 16 players with large physics builds.

9. Stationeers

Hardcore life support simulation: atmosphere, gases, temperature, power and food, where a leaky pipe vents a room. A crew splits the systems and IC10 programs keep the base running between sessions.

• RAM: 4 GB for a small crew, 6 GB for a big automated base.

Getting a sim group onto one server

1. Match versions and DLC. Truck sims need matching map DLC, OpenRCT2 and KSP need matching versions. Put the list in your Discord.
2. Set a schedule. Sim groups thrive on regular convoys, operations and shifts.
3. Lock it for events. A password stops randoms joining a planned convoy or operation.
4. Back up before big changes. A new mod package or scenario can break a long running world.

Host your sim server

A GamezServers server keeps your convoy, squadron or depot online with a stable address, settings in the panel and config files in a file manager. It is live in about a minute, and the cost can be shared by your whole virtual company, with up to 10 people each paying their share. Start with Nuclear Option or Euro Truck Simulator 2.

FAQ

What flight sim has dedicated servers?

Nuclear Option has a free dedicated server that runs a mission rotation and lists itself in the in game server browser.

How many players can join an ETS2 convoy server?

8 per session, the official limit. Raising it needs every player to edit their own config and is unsupported.

Can you play Kerbal Space Program multiplayer on a server?

Yes, with the open source Dark MultiPlayer mod on KSP 1.12. Everyone shares one universe, and the server is very light.

Do simulation game servers need a lot of RAM?

Usually not. Most run on 2 to 6 GB, because much of the physics happens on each player's PC. Archean is the exception at 8 GB and up.