Can I Host an Ark Server on My PC?

Welcome, Dev, to this journal article about hosting an Ark server on your PC. If you love playing Ark and want to know if you can host a server on your computer, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we will answer all your questions and guide you through the process of hosting an Ark server on your PC. Let’s get started!

What is Ark?

Ark: Survival Evolved is a popular action-adventure survival game where players must survive in a world filled with dangerous creatures and other players. The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes, with players having the option to host their own server or play on someone else’s server. If you’re an Ark enthusiast, then hosting your own Ark server can make your gaming experience more enjoyable.

Can I Host an Ark Server on My PC?

The short answer is yes, you can host an Ark server on your PC. However, there are some factors to consider before doing so. The first thing to consider is the specs of your PC. Hosting a server requires a lot of resources, so you need to make sure that your PC has enough processing power, RAM, and storage to handle it.

Minimum System Requirement for Hosting Ark Server

Here are the minimum system requirements for hosting an Ark server on your PC:

Component	Minimum Requirement
CPU	Intel Core i5 or Equivalent
RAM	8 GB
Storage	100 GB
Network Speed	10 Mbps Upload Speed

If your PC meets these minimum requirements, then you can host an Ark server without any performance issues. However, if your PC does not meet these requirements, you may experience lag and other issues during gameplay.

How to Host an Ark Server on Your PC

Now that you know the minimum requirements for hosting an Ark server on your PC, let’s talk about how to actually do it. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Download and Install SteamCMD

SteamCMD is a command-line tool that is required to download and install the Ark server files. You can download SteamCMD for free from the official SteamCMD website. Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install SteamCMD on your PC.

Step 2: Create a Steam Account

Next, you need to create a Steam account if you don’t already have one. You can do this by visiting the official Steam website and clicking on the “Join Steam” button. Follow the on-screen instructions to create your account.

Step 3: Download and Install the Ark Server Files

Once you have SteamCMD installed and your Steam account is set up, you need to download and install the Ark server files. To do this, open SteamCMD and enter the following command:

app_update 376030 validate

This command will download and install the necessary files for hosting an Ark server on your PC. This process may take some time, depending on the speed of your internet connection.

Step 4: Configure Your Server

After the server files have been downloaded and installed, you need to configure your server. This involves setting up your server settings, such as the server name, map, and game mode. You can do this by editing the “GameUserSettings.ini” file, which can be found in the “ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer” directory. Here is an example of what the file looks like:

[/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode]bUseSingleplayerSettings=TruebEnablePvPGamma=TrueDifficultyOffset=0.200000bDisableStructurePlacementCollision=FalsebAutoPvETimer=TruebDisableDinoDecayPvE=FalsebDisableDinoDecayPvP=TruebPvEAllowTribeWar=FalsebPvEAllowTribeWarCancel=FalsebPvEAllowTribeAlliances=True

You can edit this file using any text editor, such as Notepad.

Step 5: Start Your Server

Finally, it’s time to start your Ark server. To do this, open SteamCMD and enter the following command:

start ShooterGameServer.exe “TheIsland?QueryPort=27015?SessionName=MyServer?ServerPassword=123?ServerAdminPassword=456”

This command will start your Ark server with the specified settings, such as the map (“TheIsland”), the server name (“MyServer”), and the server password (“123”). You can also set an admin password using the “ServerAdminPassword” option.

FAQs

1. Can I Host an Ark Server for Free?

No, you cannot host an Ark server for free. Hosting a server requires resources, such as processing power and storage, which cost money. However, you can rent a server from a hosting provider for a fee.

2. Can I Host an Ark Server on a Laptop?

Yes, you can host an Ark server on a laptop, as long as it meets the minimum system requirements. However, laptops are not recommended for hosting servers, as they may overheat and cause performance issues.

3. How Many Players Can Join My Ark Server?

The number of players that can join your Ark server depends on your PC’s resources and your internet connection speed. However, the maximum number of players that can join an Ark server is 100.

4. Can I Run Other Applications While Hosting an Ark Server?

You can run other applications while hosting an Ark server, but it’s not recommended. Hosting a server requires a lot of resources, so running other applications may cause performance issues and lag during gameplay.

5. How Do I Backup My Ark Server?

You can backup your Ark server by making a copy of the “ShooterGame/Saved” directory, which contains all your server files and settings. You should make regular backups to prevent data loss in case of server crashes or other issues.

Conclusion

Hosting an Ark server on your PC can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it requires careful consideration before doing so. You need to make sure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements and that you follow the steps outlined in this article to ensure a successful server setup. We hope this article has been helpful to you, Dev, and that you are now able to host your own Ark server. Happy gaming!