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Guide to Displaying Player Locations on the Project Zomboid In-Game Map

By default in Project Zomboid multiplayer mode, the positions of other player characters are hidden from the world map view (in-game map). This aims to maintain the simulation's difficulty level, but it often makes coordination between players difficult when exploring the game world.

Server administrators can adjust the level of player visibility on the map through the MapRemotePlayerVisibility parameter in the Pterodactyl.ini configuration file.

Step 1: Open the Pterodactyl.ini File​

  1. Log in to the Raznar panel.
  2. Select your Project Zomboid server, open the Files menu, then go into the .cache > Server directory.
  3. Open the Pterodactyl.ini file.

Opening the Pterodactyl.ini file in the Raznar panel

Step 2: Configure the MapRemotePlayerVisibility Parameter​

In the Pterodactyl.ini file, find the MapRemotePlayerVisibility= parameter:

MapRemotePlayerVisibility=1

MapRemotePlayerVisibility parameter in Pterodactyl.ini

Change that number according to the server's visibility preference:

ValueVisibility LevelExplanation
1Hidden (Default)Other players' positions are completely hidden from the map.
2FriendsOnly shows the positions of players who are on your Steam friends list.
3Friends and nearby playersShows the positions of Steam friends as well as other players within close range of your character.
4EveryoneShows the coordinate points of all players currently connected to the server globally.
SETTING RECOMMENDATION

For a private cooperative server or a small community group, the value 2 or 4 is the optimal choice so players don't get lost when moving between regions or on joint expeditions.

Additional Option: Player Identity Display​

Besides the dot indicators on the map, administrators can also adjust the visibility of character names above players' heads:

DisplayUserName=true
ShowFirstAndLastName=false
MouseOverToSeeDisplayName=true
HidePlayersBehindYou=true
  • DisplayUserName=true: Displays the user account name above the character's head.
  • ShowFirstAndLastName=true: Displays the character's first and last name (roleplay name).
  • MouseOverToSeeDisplayName=true: Character names are hidden by default and only appear when the mouse cursor is pointed at that player's body.
  • HidePlayersBehindYou=true: Hides player characters that are behind your character's field of view (simulating the limits of the human eye's viewing angle).

Step 3: Save the Configuration and Reload the Server​

  1. Click the Save File button in the bottom right corner of the panel editor.
  2. Open the Console menu, then click the Restart button.
  3. Once the server is active again, players can open the in-game map (pressing the M key on the keyboard) to see the position indicators of their teammates.