If you only read one document, read this one. This guide takes you from an empty rack to a functioning service with income, using the browser version of Silicon Pirates.
All devices must be purchased from the in game shop before they can be installed. You start with a balance of $1000. Spend carefully.
This guide applies to the browser version. The Steam version will be significantly deeper, with persistent saves, expanded devices, and more complex simulation systems.
Reminder: The browser version runs in a single live session. Refreshing the page or navigating away will reset all progress.
This guide walks you through bringing a rack online, powering devices, configuring networking and DHCP, attaching storage, and launching your first hosted service.
Estimated time, 10 to 15 minutes. Required experience, none. Likelihood of breaking something, medium.
By the end of this guide, you will have a powered rack, internet access, a NAS with active storage, and a hosted game server generating income.
1. Open the Shop
2. Purchase the following devices
3. Open the Device Palette
4. Drag the purchased devices into the rack
Order does not matter visually. Connections do.
2.1 Connect Power
2.2 Turn Devices On
If a device will not power on, check grid load, upstream power, and PDU capacity. Power issues always start upstream.
Connect Router to NAS, and Router to Game Server using network cables.
Select Begin ISP Link and connect the Router WAN port to the ISP. Without an ISP connection, services may run but players cannot reach them.
Devices require valid IP addresses. In the browser version, DHCP is typically provided by the Router or Firewall.
Once DHCP is active, connected devices will automatically receive valid IPs. No IP means the device exists but cannot communicate.
Select the NAS, open the NAS Inspector, enable a storage share, and set its size.
Select the Game Server and assign the NAS share. NAS shares are not global and must be explicitly assigned.
If a game server is powered and networked but has no assigned storage, it will fail to host games.
Open the Game Server panel, install a game into Slot 1, configure pricing, and confirm the service is running. Players will begin joining automatically.
Monitor player count, storage usage, power load, and wallet balance.
If income stops, players left, storage filled, network failed, or power dropped. Follow the cable path.
The Kill Switch instantly cuts grid power, stops billing, and halts all services. Use it to stabilize runaway failures.
The browser version does not use a database or persistent save system.
This limitation is intentional and is a primary reason the Steam version is in development. The Steam version will include persistent saves and deeper long term progression.
You now have a functioning rack and a working service with income. Congratulations. This is where the real problems start.