Welcome, Dev, to our comprehensive guide on Ark Mobile Server Hosting. Whether you’re a small group of friends looking for a private server, or a large community aiming for a high-traffic one, we’ll help you find the ideal hosting solution for your needs.
Table of Contents
- What is Ark Mobile?
- Why Hosting Matters
- Types of Hosting
- Factors to Consider When Choosing a Host
- Best Ark Mobile Hosting Providers
- How to Set Up an Ark Mobile Server
- Optimizing Performance
- Troubleshooting Common Problems
- Modding Ark Mobile
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What is Ark Mobile?
Ark Mobile is a popular mobile game that tasks players with surviving and thriving in a prehistoric world filled with dinosaurs, other players, and various hazards. The game can be played solo, co-op, or in a massive multiplayer mode that hosts hundreds of players simultaneously.
To play Ark Mobile, you need a stable internet connection, an appropriate device (iOS and Android are supported), and a host server. This last requirement is especially important if you plan on playing with friends or strangers, as it enables you to create and manage a unique game world that only you and your chosen players can access.
Why Hosting Matters
As we mentioned earlier, hosting is crucial when it comes to playing Ark Mobile with others. Without a hosting provider, you would be limited to playing the game solo, which can be fun but lacks the social aspect that makes Ark Mobile so engaging.
Furthermore, hosting your server allows you to customize the game to your liking, set your own rules, and even mod the experience. All of these things contribute to a unique and enjoyable gaming experience that you can tailor to your liking.
Types of Hosting
When it comes to hosting an Ark Mobile server, there are two main types of hosting: self-hosting and third-party hosting. Let’s take a closer look at each:
Self-Hosting
Self-hosting involves setting up your server on your own hardware. This option is generally only recommended for advanced users who have a lot of technical knowledge and experience with server maintenance.
One advantage of self-hosting is that you have complete control over your server and can customize it to your liking without any restrictions. However, this comes with the downside of needing to manage everything yourself, including server updates, security, and backups.
Third-Party Hosting
Third-party hosting involves renting a server from a hosting provider that specializes in game servers. This option is the most popular among Ark Mobile players, as it’s generally more affordable, convenient, and reliable than self-hosting.
Third-party hosting providers take care of all the technical aspects of running a server, such as hardware maintenance, security, updates, and backups. This enables you to focus on playing the game and managing your community, rather than worrying about server issues.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Host
Choosing the right hosting provider for your Ark Mobile server is crucial to ensure an enjoyable and smooth gaming experience. Here are some factors to consider:
Price
Hosting prices vary depending on the provider, the server specs, and the location, among other factors. Look for a provider that offers a reasonable price per slot and doesn’t charge for unnecessary features.
Support
Good customer support is crucial when running a game server, as technical issues can arise at any time. Look for a provider that offers fast and reliable support via multiple channels, such as live chat, email, or phone.
Server location
The location of your server can affect your ping and latency, which in turn can impact your gaming performance. Look for a provider that offers servers in your region or the region where most of your community members are located.
Server specs
The server specs, such as CPU, RAM, and storage, can affect the performance and stability of your server. Look for a provider that offers high-quality hardware that can handle the number of players you expect to host.
Control panel
A good control panel makes managing your server easier and more convenient. Look for a provider that offers a user-friendly control panel that enables you to start, stop, and modify your server settings easily.
Best Ark Mobile Hosting Providers
Now that you know what to look for in a hosting provider, here are some of the best options available:
Host Havoc
Host Havoc is a well-regarded hosting provider that offers high-quality game servers at reasonable prices. Their Ark Mobile servers come with a user-friendly control panel, fast and reliable support, and 99.9% uptime guarantee.
Survival Servers
Survival Servers is another popular hosting provider that offers fast and affordable Ark Mobile servers with a variety of customization options. Their servers come with a powerful control panel, DDoS protection, and 24/7 support.
Nitrado
Nitrado is a German hosting provider that offers a wide range of game servers, including Ark Mobile. Their servers come with a user-friendly web interface, automatic backups, and support for mods and plugins.
How to Set Up an Ark Mobile Server
Setting up an Ark Mobile server is relatively straightforward, especially if you’re using a third-party hosting provider. Here are the general steps:
Step 1: Choose a hosting provider
Select a hosting provider that fits your needs and budget. We recommend one of the providers listed earlier.
Step 2: Choose your server location and specs
Select the location and specs for your server, such as CPU, RAM, and storage. Most hosting providers offer a variety of server configurations to choose from.
Step 3: Install the server software
Most hosting providers offer a one-click installation process for Ark Mobile servers. Follow their instructions to install the server software on your selected server.
Step 4: Configure your server settings
Once your server is installed, you can configure various settings, such as the server name, game mode, and difficulty level. You can also set up mods and plugins if you want.
Step 5: Invite players and start playing
Invite your chosen players to your newly created server and start playing! You can use the server’s control panel to manage player permissions, ban players, and more.
Optimizing Performance
To ensure optimal performance and stability for your Ark Mobile server, you can follow these tips:
Choose the right server specs
Make sure you choose a server with enough CPU, RAM, and storage to handle the number of players and mods you intend to use.
Use mods and plugins sparingly
While mods and plugins can enhance your gameplay experience, using too many of them can affect your server’s performance and stability. Use only the mods and plugins that you really need.
Regularly restart your server
Restarting your server can help clear up any memory leaks or other issues that may arise over time. We recommend restarting your server at least once a week.
Monitor your server performance
Use your hosting provider’s control panel to monitor your server’s performance, such as CPU usage, RAM usage, and ping. This will help you identify and address any issues before they become major problems.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Here are some common issues that may arise when running an Ark Mobile server, along with their solutions:
Problem: Server crashes or freezes
Solution: Check your server logs for any error messages and try restarting your server. If the problem persists, contact your hosting provider’s support team for assistance.
Problem: Lag or latency issues
Solution: Check your server’s ping and latency using your hosting provider’s tools. If the problem persists, try changing your server location, reducing the number of players, or optimizing your server settings.
Problem: Corrupted or missing files
Solution: Verify your server files using your hosting provider’s tools. If any files are missing or corrupted, try reinstalling them or restoring backups.
Modding Ark Mobile
Modding Ark Mobile can enhance your gameplay experience and enable you to customize the game to your liking. Here are some popular mods and plugins for Ark Mobile:
The Center
The Center is a popular mod that adds a new map to the game, complete with new biomes, creatures, and challenges.
Structures Plus
Structures Plus is a plugin that enhances the building system in Ark Mobile, enabling you to build more complex structures and customize them to your liking.
Improved Dinos
Improved Dinos is a mod that adds new abilities and features to dinosaurs, making them more interesting and useful in gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a powerful device to play Ark Mobile?
A: While Ark Mobile is a relatively demanding game, it can be played on most modern devices with at least 2 GB of RAM and a decent GPU.
Q: Can I play Ark Mobile offline?
A: No, you need a stable internet connection to play Ark Mobile, even in single-player mode.
Q: Can I transfer my save data from one server to another?
A: Yes, most hosting providers enable you to transfer your save data between servers, as long as they’re running the same version of Ark Mobile.
Q: Can I mod my Ark Mobile server?
A: Yes, Ark Mobile supports mods and plugins, although you may need to use a third-party mod manager to install and manage them.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has been helpful in providing you with the information you need to set up and manage an Ark Mobile server. Remember to choose your hosting provider carefully, monitor your server performance regularly, and optimize your settings for the best gameplay experience. Good luck, Dev!