Welcome, Dev, to the ultimate guide on how to host a Pixark server. Whether you are a seasoned game developer or a newbie who wants to create your own Pixark world, this article is for you! We will take you through the step-by-step process of setting up a Pixark server, from choosing the best hosting provider to configuring your server options. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Introduction
Pixark is a popular open-world voxel-based survival game that allows players to create their own virtual worlds. Pixark servers allow players to join in and explore these worlds with their friends or other players from around the world. Hosting your own Pixark server gives you complete control over the server settings and lets you customize the game to your liking.
In this article, we will show you how to host your own Pixark server on your preferred hosting provider. Whether you want to host a server for a few friends or for a large community, you will find all the information you need here. So, grab your coffee, sit back, and let’s get started!
Choosing a Hosting Provider
The first step in hosting a Pixark server is to choose a hosting provider that meets your needs. The hosting provider you choose will impact the performance and stability of your server, so it’s important to choose wisely. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a hosting provider:
1. Server Location
The location of your server can impact the latency and ping times for your players. Choose a location that is close to your target audience for optimal performance.
2. Server Resources
The resources available on the server can affect the performance of your Pixark server. Look for a hosting provider that offers ample resources such as RAM, CPU, and storage space.
3. Server Management
Some hosting providers offer managed servers that handle server maintenance and updates, while others require you to do it yourself. If you don’t have the technical expertise to manage your own server, consider a managed server option.
4. Price
The cost of hosting a Pixark server can vary widely depending on the hosting provider and the resources you need. Consider your budget and the resources you require when choosing a hosting provider.
5. Customer Support
Look for a hosting provider that offers 24/7 customer support in case you encounter any issues with your server.
System Requirements
Minimum System Requirements
Before we begin, let’s take a quick look at the minimum system requirements for hosting a Pixark server:
- Windows 7/8.1/10 64-bit
- Intel Core i5 2.8 GHz or equivalent AMD
- 8 GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 2GB or AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB
- 50 GB free hard drive space
Recommended System Requirements
If you want to host a larger server or want better performance, you should aim for the recommended system requirements:
- Windows 7/8.1/10 64-bit
- Intel Core i7 3.5 GHz or equivalent AMD
- 16 GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 4GB or AMD Radeon R9 380X 4GB
- 50 GB free hard drive space
Installing Pixark Server Files
Before you can start configuring your Pixark server, you need to download and install the Pixark server files. Here’s how:
1. Download Pixark Server Files
Go to the official Pixark Server website and download the server files for your operating system.
2. Extract Server Files
Once the download is complete, extract the server files to a location of your choice. We recommend creating a dedicated folder for your Pixark server files.
3. Run Server Files
Once the server files are extracted, navigate to the folder and double-click the PixarkServer.exe file to start the server. The server will generate a Game.ini and GameUserSettings.ini file in the server folder.
Configuring Pixark Server
Now that you have installed the server files, it’s time to configure your server settings.
1. Open Server Configuration Files
Navigate to the server folder and open the GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini files in a text editor. These files contain the configuration settings for your Pixark server.
2. Configure GameUserSettings.ini File
The GameUserSettings.ini file contains the general settings for your Pixark server, such as server name, password, and server location. Here are a few key settings to configure:
Server Name
Set the name of your server by changing the value of the SessionName setting.
Server Password
If you want to restrict access to your server, set a server password by changing the value of the ServerPassword setting.
Server Location
Set the location of your server by changing the value of the ServerRegion setting. This will affect the location of your server on the server list.
3. Configure Game.ini File
The Game.ini file contains the advanced settings for your Pixark server, such as server difficulty, experience rates, and taming rates. Here are a few key settings to configure:
Experience Rates
Set the experience rates for your server by changing the values of the XPMultiplier setting. Higher values means faster leveling.
Taming Rates
Set the taming rates for your server by changing the values of the TamingSpeedMultiplier setting. Higher values means faster taming.
Difficulty
Set the difficulty of your server by changing the value of the OverrideOfficialDifficulty setting. Higher values means higher level creatures.
Server Settings
In addition to the configuration files, you can also adjust server settings in-game using the console. Here are a few useful console commands:
1. Difficulty
To adjust the difficulty of your server in-game, open the console and type setdifficulty X, where X is a number between 0 and 1. Higher values mean higher difficulty.
2. Time of Day
To change the time of day in-game, open the console and type settimeofday X, where X is a number between 0 and 1. 0 is dawn and 0.5 is noon.
3. Weather
To change the weather in-game, open the console and type setweather X, where X is a number between 0 and 1. 0 is clear weather and 1 is stormy weather.
Network Configuration
Before players can connect to your Pixark server, you need to configure your network settings. Here’s how:
1. Port Forwarding
You need to forward port 7777 (UDP) on your router to your server’s local IP address. This allows players to connect to your server from outside your local network.
2. Firewall Settings
If you have a firewall enabled on your server, you need to allow incoming traffic on port 7777 (UDP).
Managing Players and Administrators
As the server owner, you have the ability to manage players and administrators on your Pixark server. Here are a few things you can do:
1. Player Management
You can manage player settings using the console by typing admincheat playerlist to see a list of connected players and their PlayerIDs. You can then use the admincheat banplayer PlayerID and admincheat unbanplayer PlayerID commands to ban or unban players.
2. Administrator Management
To manage server administrators, open the Game.ini file and add the SteamIDs of the administrators to the AdminPassword setting. Separate each SteamID with a comma. Once added, administrators can use the console by typing setcheatplayer true to enable cheats.
Backing Up and Restoring Data
It’s always a good idea to back up your server data in case of any issues or server crashes. Here’s how to do it:
1. Server Backup
To back up your server, simply make a copy of the entire server folder and save it to a safe location. You can then restore the server by copying the backup folder back to the server location.
2. World Backup
If you want to back up your world data, navigate to the ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks folder and copy the entire folder to a safe location. You can then restore the world by copying the backup folder back to the same location.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues with your Pixark server, here are a few common solutions:
1. Port Forwarding
Make sure port 7777 (UDP) is properly forwarded on your router and that your firewall is not blocking incoming traffic on this port.
2. Server Crashes
If your server crashes, try deleting the Game.ini and GameUserSettings.ini files and restarting the server. This will reset the server settings to default.
3. Performance Issues
If you experience performance issues, try reducing the server settings such as player count, experience rates, or taming rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few commonly asked questions about hosting a Pixark server:
1. How much does it cost to host a Pixark server?
The cost of hosting a Pixark server can vary depending on the hosting provider and the resources you require. Expect to pay anywhere from $5-50 per month for a small to medium-sized server.
2. Can I host a Pixark server on my own computer?
Yes, you can host a Pixark server on your own computer. However, this may impact the performance of your computer, especially if you have other programs running.
3. How many players can join my Pixark server?
The number of players that can join your Pixark server depends on the resources available on your server. For a small server, we recommend limiting the player count to around 10-20 players. For larger servers, you can increase the player count accordingly.
Conclusion
Hosting a Pixark server can be a fun and rewarding experience, allowing you to create your own virtual world and share it with others. We hope this guide has provided you with all the information you need to host your own Pixark server successfully. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. Happy hosting!