Everything you need to know about hosting and playing on an ARK: Survival Evolved server

Hey there Dev, are you ready to take on the challenges of ARK: Survival Evolved? Setting up and hosting your own server can be a great way to customize your gameplay experience and play with friends. In this article, we will guide you through everything you need to know about hosting and playing on an ARK: Survival Evolved server.

Setting up an ARK: Survival Evolved server

To host your own ARK: Survival Evolved server, the first step is to download and install the game server files from the Steam client. Once this is done, you will need to configure your server settings and launch the server. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up your own server:

Step 1: Downloading and installing the game server files

To download and install the ARK: Survival Evolved server files, follow these steps:

Step	Description
1	Open your Steam client and go to the “Library” tab
2	Click on “Tools” and search for “ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server”
3	Right-click on the game and select “Install Game”
4	Wait for the files to download and install

Once the installation is complete, you should see the game files in your Steam library under the “Tools” tab.

Step 2: Configuring your server settings

Before launching your server, you will need to configure your server settings. Here are some important settings to consider:

Server name and password

You can set a custom name for your server and set a password to restrict access. To do this, navigate to the server files and open the “GameUserSettings.ini” file. Look for the following lines and edit them to your preference:

ServerName=MyServer

ServerPassword=MyPassword

Server settings

You can customize various settings such as difficulty level, taming speed, and resource respawn rate. To do this, navigate to the server files and open the “Game.ini” file. Look for the following lines and edit them to your preference:

DifficultyOffset=1.0

TamingSpeedMultiplier=2.0

ResourceNoReplenishRadiusPlayers=0.5

Step 3: Launching your server

Once you have configured your server settings, you are ready to launch your server. To do this, navigate to the server files and run the “ShooterGameServer.exe” file. Your server should now be up and running.

Playing on an ARK: Survival Evolved server

Now that your server is up and running, it’s time to jump in and start playing. Here are some important things to keep in mind when playing on an ARK: Survival Evolved server:

Finding a server

To find a server to play on, navigate to the “Multiplayer” tab in the game menu. From here, you can search for servers based on various criteria such as server name, map, and player count.

Joining a server

To join a server, simply click on the server you want to join and click “Join”. You may be prompted to enter a password if the server is password-protected.

Playing on a server

Once you join a server, you can start playing with other players in real-time. Keep in mind that the gameplay experience can vary greatly depending on the rules and settings of the server.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I host a server and play on the same machine?

A: Yes, you can host a server and play on the same machine as long as your computer meets the system requirements for the game. Keep in mind that hosting a server can put a strain on your system resources and may affect gameplay performance.

Q: Can I customize the server settings?

A: Yes, you can customize various server settings such as difficulty level, taming speed, and resource respawn rate. These settings can be edited in the “Game.ini” file.

Q: Can I join a server with mods installed?

A: Yes, you can join a server with mods installed as long as the mods are compatible with the server version and are installed on your computer.

Q: How many players can join a server?

A: The number of players that can join a server depends on the server settings and the system resources available. However, most servers can accommodate up to 70 players.

Q: Can I transfer characters and items between servers?

A: Yes, you can transfer characters and items between servers as long as the servers are part of the same cluster and have the same settings.

Conclusion

Hosting and playing on an ARK: Survival Evolved server can be a fun and rewarding experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up your own server and customize your gameplay experience. Keep in mind that hosting a server can require a significant amount of time and resources, but the end result can be well worth it.