SCUM Server Backups and Updates

SCUM Server Backups and Updates

SCUM saves world data continuously to disk. Regular backups protect against corruption, accidental wipes, and botched updates.

Save File Location

SCUM stores all persistent world and player data under:

SCUM\Saved\SaveFiles\

This directory contains:

• World databases — terrain state, loot, vehicles, bases
• Player profile files — character stats, inventory, skills per Steam64 ID
• Server logs — under SCUM\Saved\Logs\

Back up the entire Saved\ directory to preserve everything.

Windows Backup Script

Create backup_scum.bat:

@echo off
set SAVEDIR=C:\SCUM_Server\SCUM\Saved
set BACKUPDIR=C:\SCUM_Backups
set TIMESTAMP=%date:~10,4%-%date:~4,2%-%date:~7,2%_%time:~0,2%-%time:~3,2%

mkdir "%BACKUPDIR%\%TIMESTAMP%"
xcopy /E /I /Q "%SAVEDIR%" "%BACKUPDIR%\%TIMESTAMP%"
echo Backup complete: %TIMESTAMP%

Run this script while the server is stopped or at a minimum during a low-activity window.

Scheduling Backups with Task Scheduler (Windows)

1. Open Task Scheduler → Create Basic Task.
2. Set trigger to Daily at your preferred time (e.g., 3:00 AM).
3. Action: Start a Program → point to backup_scum.bat.
4. Configure it to run whether the user is logged in or not.

Linux Backup with cron

# Stop server, backup, restart — run at 4 AM daily
0 4 * * * systemctl stop scum-server && \
  tar -czf /srv/backups/scum_$(date +\%Y\%m\%d).tar.gz \
  /opt/scum-server/wine/drive_c/SCUM_Server/SCUM/Saved && \
  systemctl start scum-server

Retention Policy

Old backups accumulate quickly. Add a cleanup step to your script:

REM Windows: delete backups older than 14 days
forfiles /p "%BACKUPDIR%" /d -14 /c "cmd /c rmdir /s /q @path"

# Linux: delete backups older than 14 days
find /srv/backups -name "scum_*.tar.gz" -mtime +14 -delete

Updating the Server

1. Announce the restart — use RCON to warn players:

   #Broadcast Server updating in 10 minutes — please save and head to a safe spot.
   

2. Stop the server — allow it to finish writing saves.
3. Back up Saved\ before applying the update.
4. Run SteamCMD:

   login anonymous
   force_install_dir C:\SCUM_Server
   app_update 3792580 validate
   quit
   

5. Restart the server and confirm the version matches the latest patch notes.

Restoring from Backup

1. Stop the server.
2. Delete (or rename) the existing SCUM\Saved\ directory.
3. Copy the backup into place.
4. Restart the server.

Player skills and inventory are stored per Steam64 ID, so restoring saves restores the state as of the backup timestamp.