Playing ARK is fun by yourself, but creating a server and inviting a few friends to tag along for the adventure makes the game even better. Here’s how to make a dedicated server in ARK: Survival Ascended.
Installing and setting up your own server requires modifying game files – Proceed at your own risk!
How to Make a Dedicated Server in ARK: Survival Ascended
There are multiple ways to create a dedicated server in ARK: Survival Ascended:
If you want a relatively quick and easy approach, spending some money to buy a host allows you to get a server quickly without changing any game files. However, if you wish to save money or want the server for an occasional party with friends, you’ll have to dive into yourARK directory and change some files.
Purchasing a Dedicated Server
The quickest way to get a dedicated server running is by purchasing a hosting package through sites like Nitrado. Each of the three most popular packages includes the following features
You can also create a configuration to include up to 200 player slots or run for up to one year. The site allows you to prepay for a specified time or use a subscription to renew your purchase automatically.
How to Set Up an ARK Survival Ascended Server
System Requirements for Hosting an ARK: Survival Ascended Server
Before embarking on the setup of your dedicated server for ARK: Survival Ascended, ensure that your system meets the following specifications:
Creating a Dedicated ARK: Survival Ascended Server Through Steam
Alternatively, if you wish to save some money and run the server yourself, you’re able to head into your game files and create one. However, this is only available for those with a64-bit Windows OS. You’ll also need around 8-10GB of drive space to support server installation, player profiles, mods, and future updates, and upwards of 32GB of RAM for it to run properly.
Below is a quick summary of how to run a dedicated ARK: Survival Ascended server, as detailed by variouscommunity guides and comments:
While this method typically requires multiple Steam accounts to work, you can also set your Steam client offline so you stay logged in, don’t get a prompt to log out, and can manage the server on one system.
You can also modify your server settings through yourGameUserSettings.ini, which you can access by heading tosteamapps > common > ARK Survival Ascended > ShooterGame > Saved > Config > Windows.
In other words, making your own dedicated server in ARK: Survival Ascended without buying a host is a lot of work, but at least you’ll save some money.
If you want to experiment in your game, check out our list ofall console commands for ARK: Survival Ascended, or click the tag below to explore our growing article collection.
Madison Benson
Madison was a staff writer at Prima Games who has played video games for over twenty years and written about them for over two years. Her love for video games started with turn-based strategy games like Heroes of Might and Magic and has since extended to casual farming sims, MMORPGs, and action-adventure RPGs.
