Ark Survival Evolved – How to Host a Dedicated Server

Hello Dev, are you interested in playing Ark Survival Evolved with a group of friends, but tired of the limitations of standard servers? Well, why not try hosting a dedicated server! A dedicated server allows you to have more control over your gaming experience, including the ability to customize game settings and mods. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up and hosting a dedicated server for Ark Survival Evolved.

Before You Begin

Before diving into the specifics of hosting a dedicated server, there are a few important things to consider:

Hardware Requirements

Hosting a dedicated server for Ark Survival Evolved requires a powerful computer. Here are the minimum requirements:

Component	Minimum Requirements
CPU	Intel Core i5-2400/AMD FX-8320 or better
RAM	8GB or more
Storage	100GB or more available space
Internet Connection	5Mbps upload speed or faster

Software Requirements

You will need the following software to host a dedicated server:

• SteamCMD
• Ark Survival Evolved Server Software

Step 1: Install SteamCMD

The first step in hosting a dedicated server is to download and install SteamCMD. SteamCMD is a command-line tool that is used to install and update Steam games, including the Ark Survival Evolved server software.

Windows Installation

Here are the steps to install SteamCMD on Windows:

1. Download SteamCMD from the official website: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD#Windows
2. Extract the downloaded file to a folder on your computer, such as C:\SteamCMD
3. Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows Key + R and typing “cmd” without quotes. Press Enter.
4. Change the working directory to the folder where you extracted SteamCMD by typing “cd C:\SteamCMD” without quotes. Press Enter.
5. Run SteamCMD by typing “steamcmd” without quotes. Press Enter.

Linux Installation

Here are the steps to install SteamCMD on Linux:

1. Open Terminal
2. Run the following command to install SteamCMD: sudo apt-get install steamcmd

Step 2: Download and Install Ark Survival Evolved Server Software

Now that we have SteamCMD installed, we can use it to download and install the Ark Survival Evolved server software.

Windows Installation

Here are the steps to download and install the server software on Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows Key + R and typing “cmd” without quotes. Press Enter.
2. Change the working directory to the folder where you want to install the server software by typing “cd C:\server” without quotes. Replace “C:\server” with the path to the folder where you want to install the server software. Press Enter.
3. Run the following command to download the server software: steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir "C:\server" +app_update 376030 validate +quit

Linux Installation

Here are the steps to download and install the server software on Linux:

1. Open Terminal
2. Run the following command to download the server software: steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir /home/username/server +app_update 376030 validate +quit

Step 3: Configure Server Settings

Now that we have the server software installed, we can start configuring the game settings to our liking. The server settings can be found in the “Game.ini” and “GameUserSettings.ini” files located in the “ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer” folder.

Modifications to Game.ini

The “Game.ini” file contains the following settings:

1. MaxPlayers
2. DifficultyOffset
3. PerLevelStatsMultiplier_Player
4. ResourcesRespawnPeriodMultiplier
5. AllowFlyerCarryPvE

Modifications to GameUserSettings.ini

The “GameUserSettings.ini” file contains the following settings:

1. ServerName
2. ServerPassword
3. MaxTamedDinos
4. ServerAdminPassword
5. PlayerCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier

Step 4: Start the Server

Now that we have configured the server settings, we can start the server. Open Command Prompt or Terminal and navigate to the directory where you installed the server software.

Windows Start Command

Here is the command to start the server on Windows:

start ShooterGameServer.exe "TheIsland" -server -log

Replace “TheIsland” with the name of the map you want to play on.

Linux Start Command

Here is the command to start the server on Linux:

./ShooterGameServer TheIsland?listen?SessionName=MyServer -server -log

Replace “TheIsland” with the name of the map you want to play on.

FAQ

How do I find my server’s IP address?

You can find your server’s IP address by visiting a website such as WhatIsMyIP.com or by navigating to your router’s settings and looking for the “WAN IP Address” or “Internet IP Address” section.

How do I add mods to my server?

To add mods to your server, you will need to subscribe to them on the Steam Workshop and then add their IDs to the “Game.ini” file. Here is an example of how to add the “Structures Plus” mod:

[ModInstaller]

ModIDS=731604991,719928795

Can I host my server on a virtual machine?

Yes, you can host your server on a virtual machine, but keep in mind that performance may be affected.

How many players can join my server?

The maximum number of players that can join your server depends on your hardware capabilities and the server settings. The default maximum is 70 players.

Can I run multiple servers on the same machine?

Yes, you can run multiple Ark Survival Evolved servers on the same machine, but make sure that each server is installed in a separate directory and has a unique set of settings.

Hosting a dedicated server for Ark Survival Evolved may seem daunting at first, but with the right hardware and software, it can be a rewarding experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you will be able to create a unique gaming experience for you and your friends.