> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Change Difficulty & Seasons in Sons of Forest

> Modify difficulty and seasonal cycle durations on your Sons of the Forest server through the JSON config to balance survival challenge and gameplay pace.

## World Parameters: Difficulty & Environment

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Sons of the Forest uses a specialized JSON structure for world management. Unlike its predecessor, this system allows for granular control over enemy health, animal spawn rates, and most critically, the **Season Length**. Whether you want a permanent summer vacation or a grueling realistic-time winter, these settings are found in your dedicated server's user data.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## Configuration Paths

All gameplay-related world settings are generating in the following folder **after the first successful server boot**:

* **Gameplay Settings:** `/userdata/dedicatedservergameplay.json`
* **Network Settings:** `/userdata/dedicatedserverlaunch.json`

***

## Modifying World Traits

### 1. Game Difficulty

Locate `"GameSetting.V.Difficulty"`:

* **Normal:** The balanced survival experience.
* **Hard:** Increased enemy aggression and resource scarcity.
* **Peaceful:** No cannibal or mutant threats (useful for creative building).
* **Custom:** Enables specific boolean flags found in the `CustomGameModeSettings` block.

### 2. Seasonal Duration

Locate `"GameSetting.V.SeasonLength"`:

* **Short:** Rapidly cycles through seasons.
* **Default:** Standard pacing.
* **Long:** Historically accurate day-counts for each season.
* **Realistic:** Winter and Summer will last for months of real-world time.

***

<Important>
  ### The "Initialization" Rule

  If your `/userdata/` folder is empty or the JSON files are missing, the server must run **once** for the engine to generate them. Start your FREAKHOSTING server, wait for the console to reach the "Game Loaded" state, then stop it to initialize these configuration files.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div align="center">
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** World variables verified.
</div>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
  * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>