How to Set Up an Ark Run Dedicated Server: A Guide for Dev

Welcome, Dev, to our comprehensive guide on setting up an Ark Run dedicated server. In this article, we’ll walk you through the entire process to ensure smooth and efficient server deployment. Whether you’re a seasoned game server administrator or a novice, this guide is for you. So, let’s get started and create your very own Ark Run dedicated server today!

What is Ark Run?

Before we begin, let’s quickly go over what Ark Run is. Ark Run is an action-packed video game that was developed by Studio Wildcard. It’s a survival game where players must explore a vast open-world environment, hunt and gather for resources, and taming various creatures to help them survive. The game supports both single-player and multiplayer modes, which allows players to interact with each other in a world filled with dangerous creatures and hazards.

What is a Dedicated Server?

A dedicated server is a type of game server that is solely dedicated to hosting a specific game. It’s a specialized computer system that is optimized for running game servers and typically has high-performance hardware and a steady internet connection. In other words, a dedicated server allows players to play the game with minimal lag and optimal performance, making it an ideal choice for multiplayer games like Ark Run.

Why Set Up a Dedicated Server for Ark Run?

Setting up a dedicated server for Ark Run has many benefits. Firstly, it provides players with a more stable and reliable gaming experience. With a dedicated server, players don’t need to worry about lag or server crashes, which can be frustrating and ruin gaming experiences. Additionally, players have more control over the game settings, such as changing the map or adding mods, which enhances the gameplay experience further.

What are the System Requirements?

Before proceeding with the setup process, it’s essential to ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for running an Ark Run dedicated server. Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements:

Minimum Requirements	Recommended Requirements
Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit versions)	Windows 10 (64-bit versions)
Intel Core i5-2400/AMD FX-8320 or better	Intel Core i7-4770/AMD FX-9590 or better
8 GB RAM	16 GB RAM
Nvidia GTX 670 2GB/AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB or better	Nvidia GTX 1070 8GB/AMD Radeon RX 480 8GB or better

How to Set Up an Ark Run Dedicated Server

Step 1: Downloading and Installing SteamCMD

The first step in setting up an Ark Run dedicated server is to download and install SteamCMD. SteamCMD is a command-line tool that allows you to install and update various Steam games, including Ark Run. To download SteamCMD:

1. Open your web browser and navigate to the SteamCMD download page.
2. Click on the Windows link to download the SteamCMD installer for Windows.
3. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install SteamCMD.

Step 2: Creating a SteamCMD Script

Once SteamCMD is installed, the next step is to create a script that will download and install the necessary files for your Ark Run dedicated server. Here’s how to create a SteamCMD script:

1. Open Notepad or any text editor of your choice.
2. Copy and paste the following code into the text editor:

@echo off:startecho Updating Steam...start "" "steamcmd.exe" +login anonymous +force_install_dir "C:\ark_server" +app_update 376030 validate +quitecho.echo Update complete!echo Starting server...start "" "C:\ark_server\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64\ShooterGameServer.exe" Island?listen?SessionName=MyServer?ServerPassword=mysecurepassword?ServerAdminPassword=myadminpassword?MaxPlayers=20echo.echo Server started!echo.echo To shut down the server, press CTRL+C in this window or type "quit" in the server console.pause>nulgoto start

3. Replace C:\ark_server with your desired server installation directory. For example, if you want to install the server files to D:\ark_server, replace C:\ark_server with D:\ark_server.
4. Replace MyServer with your desired server name.
5. Replace mysecurepassword with your desired server password.
6. Replace myadminpassword with your desired server administrator password.
7. Save the file with a .bat extension. For example, save the file as ark_server.bat.

Step 3: Running the SteamCMD Script

Now that the SteamCMD script is created, the next step is to run it to download and install the necessary files for your Ark Run dedicated server. Here’s how to run the SteamCMD script:

1. Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R, typing “cmd,” and pressing enter.
2. Navigate to the SteamCMD installation directory by typing “cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\cmd” and pressing enter. Replace C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\cmd with your SteamCMD installation directory if it’s different.
3. Type “ark_server.bat” (or the name of the file you saved the SteamCMD script as) and press enter.
4. The script will download and install the necessary files for your Ark Run dedicated server. Once the process is complete, the server will start automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I connect to my Ark Run dedicated server?

You can connect to your Ark Run dedicated server by following these steps:

1. Open Ark Run on your computer.
2. Click on “Join Ark.”
3. Click on “Favorites.”
4. Click on “Add Server.”
5. Type in your server’s IP address and port number.
6. Click on “Add This Address to Favorites.”
7. Your server will now appear in your Favorites list. Click on it to connect to the server.

2. How do I update my Ark Run dedicated server?

You can update your Ark Run dedicated server by following these steps:

1. Open your SteamCMD installation directory.
2. Run the SteamCMD tool by typing “steamcmd” and pressing enter.
3. Log in to Steam by typing “login anonymous” and pressing enter.
4. Type “force_install_dir C:\ark_server” (or the directory where you installed your server files) and press enter.
5. Type “app_update 376030” and press enter.
6. The update process will start automatically.

3. How do I set up mods on my Ark Run dedicated server?

You can set up mods on your Ark Run dedicated server by following these steps:

1. Find and subscribe to the mod on the Steam Workshop.
2. Open your Ark Run installation directory.
3. Navigate to “ShooterGame\Content\Mods” in your Ark Run installation directory.
4. Extract the mod files to this directory.
5. Open your server configuration file (located in the same directory as your SteamCMD script).
6. Add the following line to your configuration file (without quotes): “+ActiveMods=modid.modname”
7. Replace “modid.modname” with the actual mod ID and name.
8. Save the file and restart your server.

Conclusion

Setting up an Ark Run dedicated server may seem daunting at first, but with this comprehensive guide, you’ll be able to create your very own server in no time. Remember to follow each step carefully and ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements. With your very own dedicated server, you’ll be able to enhance your gaming experience and play with your friends with minimal lag and optimal performance. So, what are you waiting for? Start setting up your Ark Run dedicated server today!