Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One Dedicated Server Hosting: A Comprehensive Guide for Devs

Dear Devs, if you’re an avid fan of Ark Survival Evolved, you might want to try hosting your own dedicated server. By doing so, you’ll have more control over the server settings, mods, and game modes, and can even invite your friends to play together. However, setting up and managing a dedicated server might seem daunting at first, especially if you’re not familiar with server hosting. That’s why we’ve created this guide to walk you through the process step by step, and answer some common questions about Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One dedicated server hosting.

What is Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One Dedicated Server Hosting?

First, let’s define what we mean by dedicated server hosting. In general, a server is a computer or a network of computers that provide services, such as storing and sharing files, processing requests, or hosting websites or games. A dedicated server is a type of server that is solely dedicated to one user or one application, and is not shared with other users or applications.

In the context of Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One, dedicated server hosting means that you’re running a server instance of the Ark game on a separate machine or console, instead of joining an existing public or private server. This allows you to customize the game settings, mods, and rules as you like, and have more control over the game environment.

Why Should You Host Your Own Dedicated Server?

There are several benefits of hosting your own dedicated server for Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One:

1. You can customize the game settings as you like, such as the player stats, rates, and rules.
2. You can install mods that are not available on the official servers, or create your own mods.
3. You can have more privacy and security, as only invited players can join your server.
4. You can have more control over the game environment, such as the weather, time of day, and creatures.
5. You can play with your friends or a community that shares your interests.

How to Host an Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One Dedicated Server?

Now that you know the benefits of hosting your own dedicated server, let’s get to the practical steps of setting it up. Here’s a general outline of the process:

1. Prepare the hardware and software requirements.
2. Download and install the Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One Dedicated Server software.
3. Configure the server settings and mods.
4. Start the server and test the connectivity.
5. Invite your friends and enjoy the game!

Hardware and Software Requirements

Before you start, make sure you have the following hardware and software requirements:

Component	Minimum Requirements	Recommended Requirements
Processor	Intel Core i5-2400/AMD FX-8320	Intel Core i7-3770/AMD FX-8350
RAM	8 GB	16 GB
Hard Drive	100 GB free space	250 GB SSD
Network	10 Mbps upload/download	20 Mbps upload/download
Operating System	Windows Server 2012/Windows 10 64-bit	Windows Server 2016/Windows 10 Pro 64-bit

Note that these are only the minimum and recommended requirements, and your actual performance may vary depending on your specific hardware and network conditions.

Download and Install the Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One Dedicated Server Software

The next step is to download and install the Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One Dedicated Server software. Here’s how:

1. Go to the official forum post that contains the download link.
2. Download the latest version of the dedicated server software.
3. Extract the downloaded file to a folder of your choice, such as C:\ArkServer.
4. Open the Steam client on your PC or console, and log in with the same account that you use to play Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One.
5. Go to the Library tab, and click on the Tools category.
6. Find the Ark Survival Evolved Dedicated Server tool, and download it.
7. Follow the installation wizard to install the tool to your chosen folder, such as C:\ArkServer.

Configure the Server Settings and Mods

After installing the dedicated server software, you need to configure the server settings and mods. Here’s how:

1. Go to the folder where you installed the dedicated server software, such as C:\ArkServer.
2. Open the file named GameUserSettings.ini with a text editor, such as Notepad++.
3. Find the section that contains the game settings you want to change, such as [ServerSettings].
4. Edit the values according to your preferences, such as the TamingSpeedMultiplier or the HarvestAmountMultiplier.
5. Save the file and close the text editor.
6. If you want to install mods, go to the Mods folder, and copy the mod files into it.
7. Open the file named Game.ini with a text editor.
8. Add the mod IDs and names to the ActiveMods list, separated by commas and enclosed in quotes.
9. Save the file and close the text editor.

Start the Server and Test the Connectivity

Now that you’ve configured the server settings and mods, it’s time to start the server and test the connectivity. Here’s how:

1. Go to the folder where you installed the dedicated server software, such as C:\ArkServer.
2. Double-click on the file named ShooterGameServer.exe.
3. Wait for the server to start and load the game files.
4. Press Tab to open the console, and type in the command open yourserverip:27015, where yourserverip is the IP address of the server machine or console.
5. Press Enter to connect to your server.
6. Test the connectivity by moving around, crafting items, and interacting with the environment.

Invite Your Friends and Enjoy the Game!

Finally, it’s time to invite your friends and enjoy the game! Here’s how:

1. Give your friends the IP address of your server, and the port number (usually 27015).
2. Ask them to connect to your server from the Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One game menu.
3. Once they’re connected, you can play together, build bases, tame creatures, and explore the world.
4. Don’t forget to save the game frequently, and backup your server files regularly.

FAQ About Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One Dedicated Server Hosting

Here are some common questions and answers about Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One dedicated server hosting:

1. What are the advantages of using a server hosting service instead of hosting your own server?

A server hosting service can offer several advantages over hosting your own server, such as:

• You don’t need to purchase or maintain the server hardware and software yourself.
• You can benefit from the provider’s technical support and expertise.
• You can choose from a variety of server locations, configurations, and pricing plans.
• You can easily scale up or down your server resources as needed.
• You can access additional features and tools, such as remote control, backups, and automatic updates.

2. How many players can join an Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One dedicated server?

The maximum number of players that can join an Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One dedicated server depends on several factors, such as the server hardware and network bandwidth, the game settings and mods, and the players’ client hardware and network conditions. However, the official recommendation is to limit the player count to 70 or less, to ensure a smooth and stable gameplay experience. Bear in mind that the more players you have, the more resources your server will need, and the higher the risk of lag or crashes.

3. How do I backup my server files?

To backup your server files, simply copy the entire folder where you installed the dedicated server software, and paste it to a safe location, such as an external hard drive or a cloud storage service. You can also use third-party backup software or scripts to automate the process, or configure your server to create regular backups automatically. Just make sure you don’t overwrite or delete your previous backups, and test your backups regularly to ensure they’re working correctly.

4. How do I install mods on my dedicated server?

To install mods on your dedicated server, follow these steps:

1. Find and download the mod files from a trusted source, such as the Steam Workshop or the mod developer’s website.
2. Extract the mod files to a folder of your choice, such as C:\ArkMods.
3. Open the file named Game.ini in the server folder with a text editor, such as Notepad++.
4. Add the mod IDs and names to the ActiveMods list, separated by commas and enclosed in quotes.
5. Save the file and close the text editor.
6. Restart your server and verify that the mods are loaded correctly by checking the log files or the console output.

5. How do I troubleshoot common issues with my dedicated server?

Here are some tips for troubleshooting common issues with your dedicated server:

• Check the game and server logs for error messages or warnings.
• Check the server status and connectivity from a different device or network.
• Update your server software and game files to the latest version.
• Disable or remove conflicting mods or plugins.
• Adjust your server settings and options, such as the memory allocation, CPU priority, or network bandwidth.
• Consult the official forums or the community for additional help and support.

Conclusion

Congratulations, Devs! You’ve learned how to host your own dedicated server for Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One, and how to customize the game settings and mods to your liking. By hosting a dedicated server, you can have more control over the game environment, privacy, and security, and can play with your friends or a community that shares your interests. You’ve also learned some common questions and answers about dedicated server hosting, and how to troubleshoot common issues. We hope this guide has been helpful for you, and wish you good luck and fun with your own dedicated server!