How to Host an Ark Server on Your PC

Welcome, Dev! Are you looking to host your own Ark server on your PC? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to set up and host an Ark server on your PC, so you and your friends can enjoy playing the game together.

System Requirements

Before we get started, let’s take a look at the minimum PC requirements to host an Ark server:

Minimum System Requirements
CPU: Dual-core Intel Core i5 or higher
RAM: 8GB or higher
Storage: 20GB or higher
Internet Connection: Broadband

If your PC meets these requirements, you’re ready to proceed.

Step 1: Download and Install SteamCMD

The first step to hosting an Ark server is to download and install SteamCMD. SteamCMD is a command-line tool that allows you to install and update Steam games and dedicated servers.

To download SteamCMD, visit the SteamCMD website and follow the instructions for your operating system.

Once you’ve downloaded SteamCMD, create a new folder on your PC where you want to install the server. We recommend creating a separate folder for the server files, such as “C:\ArkServer”.

Step 1.1: Extract SteamCMD

After downloading SteamCMD, you will need to extract it. Here’s how:

1. Open the SteamCMD file you downloaded.
2. Click “Extract to” and choose the folder you created for the server files.
3. Click “Extract” and wait for the files to extract.

Step 1.2: Install SteamCMD

After extracting SteamCMD, you will need to install it. Here’s how:

1. Open the SteamCMD folder you just extracted.
2. Double-click “steamcmd.exe” to open SteamCMD.
3. Enter the following commands in SteamCMD:
• @sSteamCmdForcePlatformBitness 64
• login anonymous
• force_install_dir C:\ArkServer
• app_update 376030 validate
• quit

This will install the Ark server files to the folder you created.

Step 2: Configure the Ark Server

Now that you’ve installed the Ark server files, it’s time to configure the server. There are a few settings you can adjust to customize your server to your liking:

Step 2.1: Server Settings

The server settings can be adjusted in the “GameUserSettings.ini” file. Here are some of the settings you can change:

Setting	Description
ServerName	The name of your server.
ServerPassword	A password to protect your server.
MaxPlayers	The maximum number of players allowed on your server.
DayCycleSpeedScale	The speed of the day/night cycle.

To adjust the server settings, open the “GameUserSettings.ini” file in a text editor, such as Notepad, and make the desired changes. Save the file and close it.

Step 2.2: Server Launch Parameters

You can also adjust the server launch parameters to customize your server even further. These parameters can be added to the server’s command line in SteamCMD. Here are some of the available launch parameters:

Launch Parameter	Description
-server	Launches the server.
-log	Enables server logs.
-noantispeedhack	Disables anti-speed hack measures.

To add launch parameters to the server, follow these steps:

1. Open the SteamCMD folder.
2. Open the “StartServer.bat” file in a text editor, such as Notepad.
3. Find the line that starts with “start ShooterGameServer” and add your desired launch parameters after it.
4. Save the file and close it.

Step 3: Start the Ark Server

Now that you’ve configured the server’s settings and launch parameters, it’s time to start the server. To start the Ark server, open SteamCMD and enter the following command:

start C:\ArkServer\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64\ShooterGameServer.exe "TheIsland?listen?SessionName=MyServer?ServerPassword=MyPassword" -server -log

Replace “MyServer” with the name of your server, and “MyPassword” with the password you set in the “GameUserSettings.ini” file.

The server will take a few minutes to start up. Once it’s running, you and your friends can connect to it through the Ark game client using the server’s IP address.

FAQ

What if I want to host a dedicated server?

The process for hosting a dedicated server is similar to hosting a non-dedicated server, but there are a few additional steps. You will need to forward ports on your router, and you may need to configure your firewall to allow the server to communicate with the internet.

Can I use mods on my server?

Yes, you can use mods on your server. To install mods, follow these steps:

1. Find the mod you want to install on the Steam Workshop.
2. Click “Subscribe”.
3. Wait for the mod to download.
4. Add the mod ID to the “GameUserSettings.ini” file under the “ActiveMods” section.

How do I update my server?

To update your server, follow these steps:

1. Open SteamCMD and log in.
2. Enter the following commands:
• force_install_dir C:\ArkServer
• app_update 376030 validate
• quit

This will update the server to the latest version.

Can I host multiple servers on the same PC?

Yes, you can host multiple servers on the same PC. Simply create a new folder for each server and follow the steps above to install and configure each server.

Do I need a powerful PC to host an Ark server?

While a powerful PC is not necessary to host an Ark server, it will provide better performance for your players. We recommend an Intel Core i5 or higher CPU, 8GB or higher RAM, and 20GB or higher storage.

Is it free to host an Ark server?

No, hosting an Ark server requires a copy of the game and an internet connection. However, once you have these, hosting a server is free.

How do I back up my server?

To back up your server, follow these steps:

1. Make a copy of the entire server folder.
2. Archive the copy in a compressed file, such as a ZIP file.

This will create a backup of your server that you can restore in case of data loss.

Conclusion

Congratulations, Dev! You now know how to host an Ark server on your PC. With these steps, you can create a customized server for you and your friends to enjoy. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Ark community or consult the official Ark documentation. Happy gaming!