How to Host a Private Server in ARK

Dear Dev, are you interested in hosting your own private server in ARK but don’t know where to start? Look no further, because in this article we will guide you through the process step by step. By the end of this article, you’ll be on your way to hosting your very own ARK server.

Before You Begin

Before diving into the process of hosting a private server in ARK, there are a few things you need to consider and prepare for. Here are some important factors to keep in mind:

Hardware Requirements

Hosting a private server requires a powerful computer with a strong internet connection. Here are the hardware requirements you should consider:

Minimum Requirements	Recommended Requirements
Intel Core i5-2400 or AMD FX-8320	Intel Core i7-4770K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
8GB RAM	16GB RAM
50GB HDD space	100GB SSD space
Upload speed of 5 Mbps	Upload speed of 10 Mbps or higher

Make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements, but we recommend meeting the recommended requirements for a smoother gaming experience for you and your players.

Network Requirements

Hosting an ARK server also requires a stable internet connection. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Make sure you have a static IP address.
• Open the required ports for ARK: Survival Evolved on your router (port forwarding).
• Make sure your firewall does not block ARK’s ports.

If you’re not familiar with how to accomplish these requirements, don’t worry. We will provide step-by-step instructions on how to achieve each of these tasks later in the article.

Step One: Setting Up the Environment

The first step in hosting a private ARK server is setting up the environment. This includes installing and setting up the necessary software.

Install SteamCMD

SteamCMD is the command-line version of the Steam client that can be used to install and update various dedicated servers, including ARK. Here’s how to install SteamCMD:

1. Download and install SteamCMD from the official Valve website.
2. Create a new folder on your computer where you would like to install the server files. For example, C:\ark_server.
3. Open SteamCMD and type the following command:

login anonymous

This will log you into Steam anonymously, allowing you to download ARK server files without owning the game.

4. Type the following command:

force_install_dir C:\ark_server

This will set the installation directory for the ARK server files.

5. Type the following command:

app_update 376030 validate

This will download and install the ARK server files.

6. Type the following command to exit:

exit

Configure the Server Settings

Once you’ve installed the server files, it’s time to configure the server settings. Here are some important settings to consider:

• Password: Make sure to set a password for your server to keep it private.
• Max Player Count: Decide how many players you want to allow on your server.
• Experience Multiplier: Customize the amount of experience players gain on your server.
• Taming Speed Multiplier: Customize the speed at which players can tame animals on your server.

You can configure these settings by modifying the GameUserSettings.ini file located in the server files directory. You can open this file in any text editor, such as Notepad.

Step Two: Port Forwarding

Before players can connect to your server, you’ll need to forward the necessary ports on your router. Here’s how to do it:

Find Your Router’s IP Address

To access your router’s settings, you’ll need to know its IP address. Here’s how to find it:

1. Open the Command Prompt.
2. Type the following command:

ipconfig

This will list your computer’s network settings.

3. Look for the “Default Gateway” address. This is your router’s IP address.

Forward the Ports

Now that you know your router’s IP address, it’s time to forward the necessary ports. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your router’s settings page in your web browser. You’ll typically access this by going to the router’s IP address in your browser.
2. Find the port forwarding section in your router’s settings. This may be called “Port Forwarding” or something similar.
3. Create a new port forwarding rule for the following ports:

Port	Protocol
7777	TCP
7778	UDP
27015	TCP
27020-27039	TCP and UDP

4. Make sure to save the changes and restart your router.

Step Three: Launching the Server

Now that you’ve set up the environment and port forwarding, it’s time to launch the server. Here’s how:

Launch the Server

To launch the server, open the Command Prompt and navigate to the server files directory. Then, type the following command:

ShooterGameServer.exe TheIsland?listen?SessionName=MyServer?ServerPassword=MyPassword?MaxPlayers=20?ServerAdminPassword=AdminPassword -server -log

Make sure to replace “MyServer” and “MyPassword” with your preferred server name and password. You can also modify the “MaxPlayers” parameter to your desired player count.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many players can join my server?

You can modify the “MaxPlayers” parameter in the server launch command to your desired player count.

How can I make my server private?

Set a password in the server settings and only share it with the players you want to join.

How can I customize the server settings?

You can modify the GameUserSettings.ini file located in the server files directory.

Do I need to own a copy of ARK to host a server?

No, you can use SteamCMD to download and install the server files without owning the game.

What are the hardware requirements for hosting a server?

We recommend the following hardware requirements:

Minimum Requirements	Recommended Requirements
Intel Core i5-2400 or AMD FX-8320	Intel Core i7-4770K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
8GB RAM	16GB RAM
50GB HDD space	100GB SSD space
Upload speed of 5 Mbps	Upload speed of 10 Mbps or higher

Make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements, but we recommend meeting the recommended requirements for a smoother gaming experience for you and your players.

Conclusion

Congratulations, Dev! You’ve successfully hosted your own private ARK server. We hope this article has been helpful in guiding you through the process. Happy gaming!