How to Host Non Dedicated ARK Server

Hello Dev, are you interested in hosting a non dedicated ARK server? Whether it is for you and your friends, or a larger community, hosting a non dedicated ARK server can be a great way to enjoy the game with your own rules and settings. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up and hosting your own non dedicated ARK server. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Requirements

Before we start, you need to make sure that you have the following requirements:

Requirement	Minimum
Processor	2 GHz Dual Core
Memory (RAM)	8 GB
Storage	100 GB
Operating System	Windows 7/8/10 or Linux

If you meet these requirements, you are ready to proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Installing SteamCMD

To install and update the ARK server, we need to use SteamCMD. SteamCMD is a command-line tool that allows us to download and update game servers without using the Steam client.

Step 2.1: Downloading SteamCMD

First, we need to download SteamCMD. You can download SteamCMD from Valve’s website here. Choose the appropriate installer for your operating system.

Step 2.2: Installing SteamCMD

After downloading SteamCMD, extract the contents of the zip file to a location of your choice. For example, we will extract it to C:\steamcmd.

Next, open the command prompt and navigate to the steamcmd directory using the “cd” command.

C:\> cd C:\steamcmd

Now, run the following command to install SteamCMD:

C:\steamcmd> steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +quit

This command will install SteamCMD and log you in as an anonymous user.

Step 3: Installing ARK Server

Now that we have installed SteamCMD, we can use it to download and install the ARK server.

Step 3.1: Create a new directory for the server

First, create a new directory where you want to install the ARK server. For example, we will create a directory called “arkserver” in C:\:

C:\> mkdir C:\arkserver

Step 3.2: Downloading ARK Server

Next, open the command prompt and navigate to the steamcmd directory using the “cd” command. Then, run the following command to download the ARK server:

C:\steamcmd> steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir C:\arkserver +app_update 376030 validate +quit

This command will download and install the ARK server to the C:\arkserver directory.

Step 4: Configuring the Server

Now that we have installed the ARK server, we need to configure it to our liking.

Step 4.1: Editing the Game.ini File

The Game.ini file contains the server settings for your ARK server. You can find this file in the C:\arkserver\ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer directory.

Open the Game.ini file in a text editor such as Notepad. Here are some settings you might want to change:

• ServerName: The name of your server.
• ServerPassword: The password required to join your server.
• MaxPlayers: The maximum number of players allowed on your server.
• AllowThirdPersonPlayer: Whether to allow third-person view for players.
• DifficultyOffset: The difficulty of the game. Higher numbers mean harder gameplay.

Save and close the Game.ini file when you have finished editing it.

Step 4.2: Editing the GameUserSettings.ini File

The GameUserSettings.ini file contains the graphics and gameplay settings for your ARK server. You can find this file in the C:\arkserver\ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer directory.

Open the GameUserSettings.ini file in a text editor such as Notepad. Here are some settings you might want to change:

• ResolutionSize: The resolution of the game window.
• FullscreenMode: Whether to play the game fullscreen or in windowed mode.
• GraphicsQuality: The graphics quality of the game.
• GroundClutterDensity: The number of plants and trees on the ground.
• PlayerCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier: The rate at which players lose food.

Save and close the GameUserSettings.ini file when you have finished editing it.

Step 5: Starting the Server

Now that we have configured the ARK server, we can start it up.

Step 5.1: Starting the Server from the Command Prompt

To start the server, open the command prompt and navigate to the C:\arkserver directory using the “cd” command. Then, run the following command:

C:\arkserver> start ShooterGameServer.exe "TheIsland?SessionName=YourServerName?MaxPlayers=10?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?listen"

Replace “YourServerName” with the name of your server, and “MaxPlayers” with the maximum number of players you want to allow on your server. The default port for ARK servers is 7777, but you can change it if you want. The query port is used to send server information to the ARK server list.

The server will take a few minutes to start up. You can monitor its progress in the command prompt.

Step 5.2: Starting the Server with a Batch File

You may find it more convenient to start the server using a batch file. To do this, create a new text file in the C:\arkserver directory and name it “startserver.bat”. Then, open the file in a text editor and paste the following command:

start ShooterGameServer.exe "TheIsland?SessionName=YourServerName?MaxPlayers=10?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?listen"

Replace “YourServerName” and “MaxPlayers” with your own values. Save and close the file.

Now, double-click the “startserver.bat” file to start the server.

FAQ

How do I connect to my ARK server?

To connect to your ARK server, open ARK: Survival Evolved and click “Join ARK”. Then, click “Unofficial Servers” and enter the IP address and port of your server. The default port for ARK servers is 7777.

How can I make my server public?

To make your server public, you need to forward the UDP port 7777 on your router. This will allow players outside of your network to connect to your server using your public IP address.

How do I update my ARK server?

To update your ARK server, simply run the following command in the steamcmd directory:

C:\steamcmd> steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir C:\arkserver +app_update 376030 validate +quit

This will download and install the latest version of the ARK server.

How many players can I have on my server?

The maximum number of players you can have on your server depends on your server’s hardware and internet connection. However, the default maximum is 70 players.

Can I add mods to my ARK server?

Yes, you can add mods to your ARK server. To do this, simply download the mod from the Steam Workshop and place it in the C:\arkserver\ShooterGame\Content\Mods directory. Then, add the mod ID to the ActiveMods section of the GameUserSettings.ini file.

We hope that you have found this guide useful in setting up your own non dedicated ARK server. Have fun playing!