How to host an Ark server on PC for Xbox

Hello Dev, welcome to this comprehensive guide on how to host an Ark server on your PC for Xbox. Ark: Survival Evolved is a popular game that allows players to experience the world of dinosaurs, building structures and surviving in a harsh environment. Hosting an Ark server on your PC for Xbox is a great way to bring together friends and family to play the game together. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of setting up your own Ark server and answer some common questions along the way.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the steps of setting up your own Ark server, there are a few things you need to have in place:

1. A PC running Windows 10 or Windows Server 2016/2019 with 8GB or more of RAM
2. An Xbox One console with a copy of Ark: Survival Evolved
3. A reliable Internet connection with upload speeds of at least 10Mbps
4. A static IP address for your PC

If you don’t have a static IP address, you can contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to see if they can provide one for you. A static IP address is required to ensure that your server can be reached consistently from the Xbox One console.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Step 1: Download and Install SteamCMD

The first step in setting up your own Ark server is to download and install SteamCMD. SteamCMD is a command-line tool used to download and install Steam games and servers.

1. Go to the official SteamCMD website (https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD)
2. Download the SteamCMD installer for your operating system
3. Run the installer and follow the prompts to install SteamCMD

Step 2: Create a New Steam Account and Purchase Ark Server Software

In order to purchase the Ark server software, you will need to create a new Steam account specifically for your server.

1. Go to the official Steam website (https://store.steampowered.com/)
2. Click on “Join Steam” in the top right corner
3. Follow the prompts to create a new account
4. Once your account is created, log in to Steam and navigate to the Ark server software page (https://store.steampowered.com/app/346110/ARK_Survival_Evolved_Dedicated_Server/)
5. Purchase the Ark server software and follow the prompts to install it

Step 3: Configure Your Firewall and Port Forwarding

In order for your Ark server to be visible to players outside your home network, you will need to configure your firewall and port forwarding settings.

1. Open the Windows Firewall settings on your PC
2. Create a new inbound rule for TCP port 27015
3. Open your router’s settings and create a new port forwarding rule for TCP port 27015

These steps will ensure that players outside your home network can connect to your Ark server.

Step 4: Configure Your Ark Server Settings

Now that your server software is installed, you can begin configuring your Ark server settings. The easiest way to do this is to use the Ark Server Manager tool (https://arkservermanager.freeforums.net/).

1. Download and install Ark Server Manager
2. Open Ark Server Manager and click “Add New”
3. Configure your server settings, including server name, password, and game mode
4. Save your settings and start your server

Once your server is up and running, players can connect to it through the Xbox One console.

FAQ

1. How many players can connect to my Ark server?

The number of players that can connect to your Ark server depends on the hardware and network capabilities of your PC. With a powerful PC and a fast network connection, you can expect to host up to 70 players on your server.

2. Can I run my Ark server on a virtual private server (VPS)?

Yes, you can run your Ark server on a VPS. However, you will need to ensure that the VPS meets the prerequisites outlined earlier in this guide.

3. Can I customize my server settings?

Yes, you can customize your server settings using the Ark Server Manager tool or by editing the server configuration files directly. There are many settings you can adjust, including server name, password, game mode, difficulty level, and more.

4. How often should I restart my server?

It’s a good idea to restart your server once a day to clear out any memory leaks or other issues that may arise over time. However, if your server is running smoothly, you may not need to restart it as frequently.

5. How can I keep my server up to date?

The Ark server software is regularly updated by the developers, so it’s important to keep your server up to date to ensure compatibility with the latest game updates. You can use the SteamCMD tool to update your server software automatically.

Conclusion

Hosting your own Ark server on your PC for Xbox is a great way to bring together friends and family to play the game together. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can have your own server up and running in no time. We hope that this guide has been helpful to you and that you enjoy playing Ark: Survival Evolved with your friends and family.