How to Change V Rising Settings on an Existing Server

To change V Rising settings on an existing server, stop it, edit ServerGameSettings.json in <persistentDataPath>/Settings/, and make sure GameSettingsPreset in ServerHostSettings.json is empty, then start it again. The new rules apply to your current save. The trap is that preset: when it names one, like StandardPvP, the server loads that preset and your custom file is ignored. Environment variables such as VR_PRESET and launch options like -preset also beat the JSON file.

What you can change on an existing world

V Rising is content complete, and Stunlock's balance patches keep existing saves loading, so a rules change is the only thing that alters a running world.

Where do V Rising settings live?

persistentDataPath is whatever the server starts with in -persistentDataPath. Without it, Windows uses %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Stunlock Studios\VRisingServer\. v4 is the current save format version.

Which value wins?

This is the part that makes edits "not stick". Stunlock's server instructions say every host setting can be overridden by an environment variable or a command line option, in that order. For gameplay rules there are three layers:

1. A preset in GameSettingsPreset (or VR_PRESET, or -preset). If it is set, the server loads that preset from VRisingServer_Data/StreamingAssets/GameSettingPresets/ instead of your rules.
2. ServerGameSettings.json in the Settings folder. Your custom rules, used when no preset is set.
3. The copy saved inside the world folder, used when neither of the above is there. This is how a world moved from a client hosted game keeps its old rules.

So to run custom rules, the preset must be empty everywhere: in the JSON, in the environment and on the launch line. GameDifficultyPreset (or VR_DIFFICULTY_PRESET, -difficultyPreset) works the same way for the Easy, Normal and Brutal difficulty values.

Step 1: Back up first

Copy the whole Saves/v4/<SaveName>/ folder and the Settings folder. A preset swap from PvE to PvP hits everyone at once on the next start, and a backup is the only clean way back if the group hates it.

Step 2: Stop the server

Settings load only at startup. Warn players with RCON announcerestart 5 if they are online, then stop the server.

Step 3: Edit the right file

To use a ready made ruleset, set the preset in ServerHostSettings.json:

"GameSettingsPreset": "StandardPvP_WeekendSiege",
"GameDifficultyPreset": "Difficulty_Normal",

To use your own rules, clear the preset and edit ServerGameSettings.json:

"GameSettingsPreset": "",

{
  "GameModeType": "PvE",
  "ClanSize": 4,
  "BloodDrainModifier": 0.8,
  "CraftRateModifier": 2.0,
  "MaterialYieldModifier_Global": 1.5,
  ...
}

You can put a full file in Settings or only the values that differ from the default. Check the names against the default file in StreamingAssets/Settings/ for your version, and keep the JSON valid.

Step 4: Start and check

Start the server and watch the log until it reports Loaded ServerGameSettings. Then join and check a rule you can feel, such as crafting speed or whether PvP damage is on.

What changes without a restart?

Only a few host settings, through RCON:

adminlist.txt can also be edited without a restart. Every gameplay rule needs one.

Common problems

• Custom rules ignored: GameSettingsPreset, VR_PRESET or -preset is set. Clear it everywhere.
• Your edit went back: you edited the defaults in StreamingAssets, which updates replace, or a panel rewrote the file on start.
• A fresh world appeared: SaveName changed. Your old world is still in its own folder under Saves/v4/.
• Moved world has the wrong rules: a preset or a Settings file overrides the copy saved with the world. Clear the preset and remove the override file.
• Server will not start after editing: broken JSON, usually a missing or extra comma.

Changing settings on GamezServers

On a GamezServers V Rising server, the name, description, password, max players, save name, autosave settings and the Game Settings Preset (and on the Standard type the difficulty preset) are panel fields. The Standard type passes them as environment variables and the BepInEx type writes them into ServerHostSettings.json on every start, so either way they win over a hand edit. For custom rules, leave the preset empty in the panel and edit save-data/Settings/ServerGameSettings.json in the Files tab with the server stopped. Press Backup first. After a game patch, see how to update a V Rising server.

FAQ

Why is my V Rising server ignoring ServerGameSettings.json?

A GameSettingsPreset is set in ServerHostSettings.json, an environment variable or the launch line. Clear it and restart.

Can I switch a V Rising server from PvE to PvP without a wipe?

Yes. Change the preset or GameModeType and restart. Castles and characters stay, but the new rules apply to everyone at once.

Where are V Rising server settings stored?

In the Settings folder under the server's persistentDataPath, in ServerHostSettings.json and ServerGameSettings.json. Each save also keeps its own copy of the game settings.

Do V Rising settings changes need a restart?

Gameplay rules do. The server name, description and password can change live with RCON.