Host Ark Server on PC for Xbox One

Hello Dev, are you looking to host an Ark server on your PC for your Xbox One gaming community? Look no further! In this article, we will guide you through the steps to host an Ark server on your PC for Xbox One. Let’s get started!

What is Ark and Why Host a Server?

Ark: Survival Evolved is a popular multiplayer game where players are stranded on an island and must survive by gathering resources, building shelters, and taming dinosaurs. Hosting your own server can provide a better gameplay experience with more control over the game settings, mods, and updates.

Hosting your own server can also provide a community for your friends without the limitations of official servers. You can create your own rules, invite friends and maintain the server to provide a better gaming experience.

System Requirements

The first step to hosting your own Ark server is to make sure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements. You will need:

Minimum Requirements	Recommended Requirements
Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit versions)	Windows 10 (64-bit versions)
Intel Core i5-2400/AMD FX-8320 or better	Intel Core i5-4670/AMD Ryzen 5 1600 or better
8 GB RAM	16 GB RAM
NVIDIA GTX 670 2GB/AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB or better	NVIDIA GTX 970 4GB/AMD Radeon R9 390 8GB or better

Note that the requirements may vary depending on the size of your community and the settings you want to use.

Port Forwarding

Before we start, you will need to set up port forwarding on your router. Port forwarding allows external devices, such as your Xbox One, to connect to your PC’s local IP address. The ports that you need to forward are:

Protocol	Port Range
TCP	7777, 7778, 27015
UDP	7777, 7778, 27015

The process for port forwarding may vary depending on your router. You can use websites like portforward.com to find specific instructions for your router model.

Download and Install SteamCMD

The next step is to download and install SteamCMD, which is a command-line tool used to install and update Steam games and dedicated servers. Follow the steps below:

1. Go to the official SteamCMD website: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
2. Download the SteamCMD.zip file
3. Extract the SteamCMD.zip file to a location on your PC

Install Ark Server

Now that SteamCMD is installed, it’s time to install the Ark game files and server.

1. Open the SteamCMD command prompt by going to the location where you extracted the SteamCMD.zip file and double-click on steamcmd.exe
2. Login to SteamCMD by typing “login anonymous” and press Enter
3. Install Ark by typing “app_update 346110 validate” and press Enter
4. Wait for the installation to finish. This may take a while depending on your internet speed and the size of the game files.
5. Once the installation is complete, type “quit” and press Enter to exit SteamCMD

Configure Ark Server Settings

Now that the game files and server are installed, it’s time to configure the server settings. Follow the steps below:

1. Go to the location where you installed the Ark server files. This should be in the same directory as the SteamCMD files
2. Open the ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/Game.ini file with a text editor like Notepad
3. Edit the settings in the [ServerSettings] section to your liking. Some settings to consider are:
• MaxPlayers – Maximum number of players allowed on the server
• ServerPassword – Set a password if you want to restrict access to your server
• DifficultyOffset – Adjust the difficulty of the game
• TamingSpeedMultiplier – Adjust the speed at which players can tame dinosaurs
4. Save the file and exit the text editor

Start Ark Server

Now that the server is configured, it’s time to start the server. Follow the steps below:

1. Open the Ark server command prompt by going to the location where you installed the Ark server files and double-click on “ShooterGameServer.exe”
2. Type “serverport=7777” and press Enter
3. Type “listen” and press Enter
4. The server should now be running!

Connect to Your Ark Server on Xbox One

To connect to your Ark server on Xbox One, follow the steps below:

1. Launch Ark on your Xbox One
2. Press the Start button on your controller to open the server browser
3. Select “Unofficial PC Sessions”
4. Type the name of your server in the search bar. This should be the same name as the server you specified in the GameUserSettings.ini file
5. Select your server and press Join!

FAQ

Do I need a powerful PC to host an Ark server?

The minimum requirements for hosting an Ark server are not too demanding. However, if you want to host a server for a large community with many players or if you want to use mods, you may need a more powerful PC.

Can I host an Ark server on a virtual machine?

Yes, you can host an Ark server on a virtual machine. However, keep in mind that virtual machines have limitations in terms of resources and performance, which may affect the gameplay experience.

Can I host an Ark server without port forwarding?

No, you cannot host an Ark server without port forwarding. Port forwarding allows external devices to connect to your PC’s local IP address and is necessary for the Xbox One to connect to your server.

Can I use mods on my Ark server?

Yes, you can use mods on your Ark server. However, keep in mind that not all mods are compatible with each other and may cause issues with the gameplay experience. Make sure to test the mods before implementing them on your server.

How many players can join my Ark server?

The maximum number of players that can join your Ark server depends on the setting MaxPlayers in the GameUserSettings.ini file. The default setting is 70, but you can change it to any number that suits your needs.

How do I update my Ark server?

To update your Ark server, follow the steps below:

1. Open the SteamCMD command prompt
2. Login to SteamCMD by typing “login anonymous” and press Enter
3. Type “app_update 346110” and press Enter
4. Wait for the update to finish. This may take a while depending on your internet speed and the size of the update files.
5. Once the update is complete, type “quit” and press Enter to exit SteamCMD

Conclusion

Congratulations, Dev! You have successfully hosted an Ark server on your PC for your Xbox One gaming community. We hope that this guide has been helpful and that you and your friends have a great gaming experience on your own server.

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy gaming!