# Understanding Platform Limitations in Palworld Game Servers

In Palworld, there’s an important rule regarding player connections: players from the Steam version of the game cannot join servers hosted on the Xbox Game Pass version, and vice versa. It’s crucial to understand this as it will help you customize your server experience for your friends and community.

One Platform at a Time

When it comes to joining your Palworld server, keep in mind that it's one or the other—players can only connect from either the Xbox Game Pass version (which is available on both Xbox and PC) or the Steam version; mixing them on the same server isn't possible. This means if your friend is trying to join from their Steam account and your server is set up for the Xbox Game Pass version, they won’t be able to see or connect to the server at all.

Modifying Your Server's Platform Connection

The good news is that configuring your server for the correct platform is straightforward! You can customize your server settings using the Basic Setting parameter called `AllowConnectPlatform`. You can find it from My servers-->Palworld-->Manage server-->Basic Settings. This setting allows you to specify which platform players can connect from, ensuring everyone can play together seamlessly.

Here’s How It Works:

1. To Enable Steam Connections:
- If you want to allow players who own the game on the Steam platform to join your server, you need to set the `AllowConnectPlatform` field to `Steam`.
- This means only those playing on Steam will see your server in their server list.

2. To Enable Xbox Game Pass Connections:
- Conversely, if your goal is to host a server for users who are coming from the Xbox Game Pass, then you should set the `AllowConnectPlatform` field to `Xbox`.
- Only players using Xbox/Game Pass will find your server available to join.

3. Restart the server: Always make sure to restart the server after updating the settings changes to make them take effect.

Why This Matters?

When the `AllowConnectPlatform` parameter is incorrectly set—a common mistake for newcomers—players from the unselected platform will simply not see your server at all. It's important to double-check this setting when you're getting your server ready for play to avoid any frustration from friends who can't connect.

Conclusion

By understanding the connection limitations within Palworld and utilizing the `AllowConnectPlatform` setting properly, you can ensure that your game server is open for the right players. Whether it's your friends gaming on Steam or those leveraging Xbox Game Pass, with the right configuration, everyone can enjoy a smooth gaming experience on your server. So, take a moment before starting your session to set this up correctly, and get ready to dive into the fun of Palworld with your community! Happy gaming!