Host PS4 Ark Server on PC – The Ultimate Guide for Dev

Welcome Dev, are you looking to host your very own Ark server on your PC? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps needed to successfully host your own Ark server on your PC. You’ll have full control over the settings, mods, and players that join, making it the perfect way to enjoy Ark with friends or to create your own community of players.

Part 1: Preparing Your PC

The first step in hosting your own Ark server on your PC is to ensure that your PC is up to the task. There are a few things you should check before proceeding:

Hardware Requirements

The first thing you’ll need to check is whether your PC meets the hardware requirements for hosting an Ark server. Here are the minimum requirements:

Component	Minimum Requirement
CPU	Intel Core i5-2400 or AMD FX-8320
RAM	8GB
Storage	100GB free space
Network	Upload speed of at least 2Mbps

If your PC meets these requirements, you’re good to go! If not, you may need to upgrade some components before proceeding.

Firewall Settings

Next, you’ll need to ensure that your firewall settings allow for incoming connections on the necessary ports. By default, Ark servers use port 7777, so you’ll need to allow incoming connections on this port. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Windows Defender Firewall.
2. Click “Advanced settings” on the left-hand side.
3. Click “Inbound Rules” on the left-hand side.
4. Click “New Rule” on the right-hand side.
5. Select “Port” and click “Next”.
6. Enter “7777” as the port number and click “Next”.
7. Select “Allow the connection” and click “Next”.
8. Select the appropriate network type and click “Next”.
9. Give the rule a name (e.g. “Ark Server”) and click “Finish”.

Your firewall settings should now allow incoming connections on port 7777.

Part 2: Setting Up Your Ark Server

Now that your PC is ready, it’s time to set up your Ark server. Here are the steps:

Downloading the Server Files

The first step is to download the Ark server files. You can do this through the Steam client:

1. Open the Steam client.
2. Click the “Library” tab.
3. Click the “Tools” tab.
4. Scroll down and find “Ark Survival Evolved Dedicated Server”.
5. Right-click and select “Install Game…”.
6. Follow the prompts to install the server files.

Once the server files are downloaded and installed, you’ll need to configure them to your liking.

Configuring the Server Settings

The Ark server has a lot of configurable settings, from the general settings (like server name and password) to the more specific settings (like taming speed and resource respawn rate). You can configure these settings by editing the “GameUserSettings.ini” file in the “ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer” folder. Here are some of the more important settings:

Setting	Description
ServerName	The name of your server.
Password	A password required to join your server.
MaxPlayers	The maximum number of players allowed on your server.
TamingSpeedMultiplier	The speed at which creatures can be tamed.
ResourceRespawnPeriodMultiplier	The time it takes for resources to respawn.

Once you’ve configured your server settings to your liking, you can start the server.

Starting the Server

To start your Ark server, follow these steps:

1. Open the Steam client.
2. Click the “Library” tab.
3. Click the “Tools” tab.
4. Find “Ark Survival Evolved Dedicated Server” and double-click it.
5. Wait for the console window to open.
6. Type “start” and press enter.
7. Wait for the server to start.

Your Ark server is now up and running! Players can join by searching for your server in the in-game server browser.

Part 3: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I customize the server further?

A: Yes! There are a lot of mods and plugins available for Ark servers that allow you to further customize the gameplay experience. You can find these on the Steam workshop or other modding websites.

Q: How many players can my server support?

A: It depends on the hardware of your PC and the settings of your server. The minimum requirement is 8GB of RAM and a good internet connection, but if your PC is more powerful than that, you may be able to support more players.

Q: Can I play on my own server?

A: Yes! You can join your own server by opening the game and searching for your server in the server browser.

Q: Can players join my server if they’re on PS4?

A: Yes! You can host a crossplay server that allows players on both PC and PS4 to join. Keep in mind that PS4 players will need to have the “Allow Crossplay” option enabled in their settings.

Q: How do I update my server?

A: To update your server, simply download the latest server files through the Steam client and replace the old files with the new ones. Then, restart your server.

Conclusion

Hosting your own Ark server on your PC is a great way to enjoy the game with friends or to create your own community of players. By following the steps in this guide, you can set up your own server in no time, and customize it to your liking. Happy hosting!