How to Host an Ark Server for Friends

Welcome Dev! Are you looking to host your own Ark server for friends? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the steps you need to take to set up your own server, and get you ready to play with your friends in no time!

Step 1: System Requirements

Before we get started, let’s take a look at the system requirements you’ll need to host an Ark server. In order to get the best performance, your server should have:

While these are the minimum and recommended requirements, it’s always a good idea to have a more powerful system if you want to host a server that can handle a lot of players or mods.

Step 2: Getting the Server Files

The first step in setting up your own Ark server is to download the server files from Steam. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Steam client and go to the Library tab.
2. Select Tools from the dropdown menu.
3. Scroll down and find ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server, and then click the Install button.
4. Once the download is complete, the server files will be located in your Steam installation directory under \steamapps\common\ARK Survival Evolved Dedicated Server.

Step 3: Configuring the Server

Now that you have the server files, it’s time to configure the server to your liking. To do this, you’ll need to edit the GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini files located in the \ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer directory.

GameUserSettings.ini

The GameUserSettings.ini file controls the basic settings for your server, such as the server name, password, and player count. Here are some of the most important settings:

Game.ini

The Game.ini file controls more advanced settings for your server, such as the experience rate and resource respawn rate. Here are some of the most important settings:

Once you’ve made your changes, save the files and close them. You’re now ready to start the server.

Step 4: Starting the Server

To start the server, simply run the ShooterGameServer.exe file located in the \ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64 directory. This will open a command window, and the server will start up.

Once the server is running, players can join by searching for your server in the in-game server browser, or by using the direct connect feature and entering your IP address and port number.

FAQ

Q: How do I allow friends to join my server?

A: To allow friends to join your server, you’ll need to open the necessary ports on your router, and give them your public IP address and port number. You can find your public IP address by searching what is my ip on Google.

Q: Can I run mods on my server?

A: Yes, you can run mods on your server. Simply add the mod files to the ShooterGame\Content\Mods directory, and add the mod IDs to the ActiveMods list in the GameUserSettings.ini file.

Q: How do I change the map on my server?

A: To change the map on your server, you’ll need to edit the GameUserSettings.ini file, and change the MapName setting to the name of the map you want to use. For example, if you want to use The Island map, you would set MapName=TheIsland.

Q: How do I update my server?

A: To update your server, simply close it down, and then run the SteamCMD tool located in your Steam installation directory. Use the following commands to update your server:

login anonymousforce_install_dir C:\path\to\server\filesapp_update 346110 validatequit

Replace C:\path\to\server\files with the path to your server files, and 346110 with the Steam app ID for Ark.

Q: How do I stop my server?

A: To stop your server, simply close the command window it’s running in. The server will automatically save your progress before shutting down.

Conclusion

Hosting your own Ark server can be a great way to play with friends and customize your game experience. With this guide, you should have all the information you need to get started. Good luck, and have fun!