How to Host a Private Ark Server with Friends

Welcome Dev! Have you ever wanted to play Ark with your friends on your own private server, but didn’t know where to start? Look no further, as we provide a comprehensive guide on how to host your own private Ark server so you can play with your friends and have the adventure of a lifetime.

Before You Begin

Before you start setting up your own Ark server, there are a few important things you need to keep in mind:

1. Check Your Internet Speed

An Ark server can be a bandwidth-intensive application, so it’s important that you have a stable and fast internet connection. Ideally, your internet speed should be at least 10 Mbps for a smooth gaming experience. You can check your internet speed by running a speed test on any popular search engine or using an app like Speedtest.

2. Know Your System Requirements

The system requirements to host an Ark server are not high, but you need to make sure that your machine meets the minimum requirements. Here are the recommended system requirements for hosting an Ark server:

Component	Minimum Requirements
CPU	Dual-core Intel or AMD processor
RAM	8 GB
Storage	120 GB or higher

3. Get the Necessary Tools

Before you start hosting your own Ark server, you need to download and install the necessary tools. Here are the tools you will need:

• SteamCMD
• Notepad++
• Ark Server Manager

4. Choose Your Hosting Method

There are two main ways to host an Ark server: locally or through a hosting service. Hosting locally means hosting the server on your own machine, while using a hosting service means renting a server from a third-party provider. Both methods have their pros and cons, so you need to decide which method is best for you and your friends.

Setting Up Your Ark Server

Now that you have everything you need to host your own Ark server, it’s time to set it up. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Install SteamCMD

The first step is to download and install SteamCMD, which is a command-line tool used to download and update Steam games. Here’s how to install SteamCMD:

1. Download SteamCMD from the official Valve website.
2. Create a new folder on your hard drive for SteamCMD.
3. Extract the downloaded SteamCMD files into the new folder.
4. Double-click on the steamcmd.exe file to launch it.
5. The SteamCMD command prompt will appear. Type in “login anonymous” and press Enter.
6. Type in “force_install_dir C:\ark_server” (replace “C:\ark_server” with the path where you want to install the Ark server) and press Enter.
7. Type in “app_update 376030 validate” and press Enter. This will start the download and installation process for the Ark server files.

2. Configure Your Server Settings

Now that you have installed the Ark server files, it’s time to configure your server settings. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Notepad++ and create a new file.
2. Copy and paste the following code into the new file:

[/Script/Engine.GameSession]MaxPlayers=20[/Script/OnlineSubsystemUtils.IpNetDriver]MaxClientRate=10000000MaxInternetClientRate=10000000[/Script/OnlineSubsystemUtils.IpConnection]bAllowMigrate=True[/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameUserSettings]MasterAudioVolume=1.000000MusicAudioVolume=1.000000SFXAudioVolume=1.000000VoiceAudioVolume=1.000000CameraShakeScale=1.000000LastServerSearchType=2bFirstPersonRiding=FalsebThirdPersonPlayer=FalsebShowStatusNotificationMessages=TrueTrueSkyQuality=0.400000FOVMultiplier=1.000000GroundClutterDensity=1.000000bFilmGrain=FalsebMotionBlur=FalsebUseDFAO=FalsebUseSSAO=FalsebShowChatBox=TruebCameraViewbob=TruebInvertLookY=FalsebFloatingNames=TruebChatBubbles=TruebHideServerInfo=FalsebJoinNotifications=FalsebCraftablesShowAllItems=TruebLocalInventoryShowsSkins=TrueServerCrosshair=TruebChatShowSteamName=FalsebUseVSync=FalsebHideFDU=FalsebDisableMeleeCameraSwingAnims=FalsebUseHDRDisplayOutput=FalsebUseLetterbox=FalsebHighQualityMaterials=TruebTemperatureF=FalsebDisableTorporEffect=FalsebChatShowTribeTitles=TruebPassiveDefensesDamageRiderlessDinos=TruebPvEDisableFriendlyFire=FalsebPvEDisableFriendlyFireOnTribe=False

3. Save the file as “GameUserSettings.ini” in the following directory: C:\ark_server\ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer

3. Install Ark Server Manager

Ark Server Manager is a powerful and easy-to-use tool that helps you manage your Ark server. Here’s how to install it:

1. Download Ark Server Manager from the official website.
2. Extract the downloaded files into a new folder.
3. Double-click on the ASM.exe file to launch it.
4. The first time you run Ark Server Manager, it will ask you to enter your Steam credentials. Enter your Steam username and password and click Save.
5. Click on the Add New button to create a new server.
6. Fill in the required server information, such as server name, server password, server location, and map.
7. Click on the Save button to save your new server settings.
8. Click on the Start button to start your Ark server.

4. Invite Your Friends to Join

Now that your Ark server is up and running, it’s time to invite your friends to join. Here’s how to do it:

1. Launch Ark and click on the Join button.
2. Enter the IP address of your Ark server in the Server Address field.
3. Enter the server password (if you set one) in the Password field.
4. Click on the Join button to join your server.
5. Your friends can join your server by following the same steps.

FAQ

1. Can I host an Ark server for free?

No, hosting an Ark server requires both hardware and software resources, so you need to pay for them. However, you can save money by hosting a server locally instead of using a hosting service.

2. How many players can join my Ark server?

The number of players that can join your Ark server depends on your system resources and internet speed. The recommended maximum number of players is 20, but you can have more or less depending on your setup.

3. How do I update my Ark server?

To update your Ark server, you need to run the SteamCMD command and type in “app_update 376030” and press Enter. This will download and install the latest Ark server files.

4. Can I use mods on my Ark server?

Yes, you can use mods on your Ark server by subscribing to them on the Steam Workshop and adding them to your server’s configuration file.

5. Can I run multiple Ark servers on the same machine?

Yes, you can run multiple Ark servers on the same machine by creating separate installation directories for each server and configuring each server to use a different port number.

Conclusion

Hosting your own private Ark server is a fun and rewarding experience, and it’s not as difficult as you might think. With the right tools and a little know-how, you can create a server where you and your friends can play Ark to your heart’s content. So why wait? Start hosting your own private Ark server today!