How to Host Private Ark Server PS4

Dev, are you looking to host your own private Ark server on your PlayStation 4? Look no further, because this article will guide you through the entire process. We know that setting up a private server can seem daunting, but don’t worry, we’ll break it down into simple steps.

Step 1: Gathering Requirements

The first step to hosting your private Ark server is gathering all the necessary requirements. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need:

Requirements	Description
PlayStation 4 console	You’ll need a PS4 console to host the server.
Ark: Survival Evolved game	You’ll need to purchase the game if you don’t already have it.
Fast internet connection	A stable internet connection is crucial for hosting a server.
External hard drive (optional)	If you want to save your progress, you may want to consider using an external hard drive.

Once you have everything on the list, you’re ready to move on to the next step!

Step 2: Setting up a Static IP Address

The next step is setting up a static IP address for your PS4. This will ensure that your console always has the same IP address, which is necessary for hosting a server. Here’s how to do it:

Step 2.1: Finding Your Default Gateway

The first thing you need to do is find your default gateway. You can do this by following these steps:

1. On your PS4, go to Settings > Network > View Connection Status.
2. Write down the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway.

The default gateway is the IP address of your router. Write this down, as you’ll need it for the next step.

Step 2.2: Setting Up a Static IP Address

Now that you have your default gateway, you can set up a static IP address. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your router’s settings. You can usually do this by typing the default gateway into your browser’s address bar.
2. Find the DHCP settings and disable them.
3. Go to the LAN settings and set a static IP address for your PS4. Use the IP address you wrote down earlier, but change the last set of numbers to something higher. For example, if your PS4’s IP address was 192.168.1.10, change it to 192.168.1.20.
4. Save your changes and exit the router’s settings.

You’ve now set up a static IP address for your PS4. Let’s move on to the next step.

Step 3: Port Forwarding

Port forwarding is necessary for hosting a server. It allows traffic to pass through your router and reach your PS4. Here’s how to do it:

Step 3.1: Finding Your PS4’s IP Address

Before you can set up port forwarding, you need to find your PS4’s IP address. Here’s how:

1. On your PS4, go to Settings > Network > View Connection Status.
2. Write down the IP address. This is the IP address you set up in the previous step.

Step 3.2: Port Forwarding

Now that you have your PS4’s IP address, you can set up port forwarding. Here’s how to do it:

1. Log in to your router’s settings.
2. Find the port forwarding section.
3. Add a new port forwarding rule. The specific settings will depend on your router, but you’ll need to forward ports 7777-7778 and 27015-27016 to your PS4’s IP address.
4. Save your changes and exit the router’s settings.

You’ve now set up port forwarding for your PS4. Let’s move on to the next step.

Step 4: Downloading and Installing the Dedicated Server Software

Now that you’ve set up your PS4 for hosting, it’s time to download and install the dedicated server software. Here’s how:

Step 4.1: Downloading the Software

The first step is downloading the dedicated server software. Here’s where to find it:

1. Go to https://survivetheark.com/index.php?/dedicatedservers.html
2. Download the PS4 server software.

Step 4.2: Installing the Software

Now that you have the software, you need to install it. Here’s how:

1. Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a folder on your computer.
2. Open the folder and run the “start.bat” file.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the server.

You’ve now installed the dedicated server software. However, there are still some settings you need to configure before you can start playing.

Step 5: Configuring Server Settings

Before you can start playing on your server, you need to configure some server settings. Here’s how:

Step 5.1: Configuring Game Settings

The first step is configuring the game settings. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open the server configuration file in a text editor. The file is located in the “ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/” folder.
2. Find the “GameUserSettings” section.
3. Set the following settings to your desired values:
   • ServerName
   • ServerPassword
   • ServerAdminPassword
   • MaxPlayers
   • DifficultyOffset
4. Save the changes and close the file.

You’ve now configured the game settings. Let’s move on to the next step.

Step 5.2: Configuring Server Settings

The next step is configuring the server settings. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open the server configuration file in a text editor. The file is located in the “ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/” folder.
2. Find the “ServerSettings” section.
3. Set the following settings to your desired values:
   • ServerCrosshair
   • AllowThirdPersonPlayer
   • ServerHardcore
   • ServerPVE
4. Save the changes and close the file.

You’ve now configured the server settings. Let’s move on to the next step.

Step 6: Starting the Server

You’re almost done! The final step is starting the server. Here’s how:

1. Make sure your PS4 is turned on and connected to the internet.
2. Run the “start.bat” file on your computer.
3. Wait for the server to start up. This may take a few minutes.
4. Once the server is running, start the Ark game on your PS4.
5. Connect to your server using the server name and password you set up earlier.

Congratulations! You’ve now successfully hosted your own private Ark server on your PlayStation 4.

FAQs

1. Is it possible to host a private Ark server on a standard PS4 console?

Yes, it’s possible to host a server on a standard PS4 console. However, you may experience lag or other performance issues if you have too many players or creatures on your server.

2. Can I save my progress on the server?

Yes, you can save your progress on the server by using an external hard drive to store your game files.

3. Can I play on my own server?

Yes, you can play on your own server. In fact, hosting your own server allows you to have complete control over the game settings and who can access the server.

4. Can I invite friends to play on my server?

Yes, you can invite friends to play on your server. Simply give them the server name and password so they can connect.

5. How do I update the server software?

To update the server software, simply download the latest version from the official Ark website and replace the existing files on your computer.

6. How do I back up my server?

To back up your server, simply copy the game files to an external hard drive. You should do this regularly to ensure that you don’t lose any progress if something goes wrong with the server.

7. How do I troubleshoot server issues?

If you’re experiencing issues with your server, try restarting the server software and your PS4 console. You can also check the server logs for any error messages. If you’re still having issues, you may need to seek help from the Ark community forums.

That’s all there is to it, Dev! We hope this article has been helpful in guiding you through the process of hosting your own private Ark server on your PlayStation 4. Happy gaming!