ARK Setting Up a Dedicated Server

Setting up a dedicated server for ARK: Survival Evolved allows you to have full control over your server environment, customize gameplay settings, and host multiplayer sessions for other players. Follow the steps below to set up a dedicated server:

Step 1: Prepare Your System Before setting up a dedicated server, ensure that your system meets the minimum system requirements outlined in the previous documentation. Additionally, make sure you have a stable internet connection and a static IP address or a dynamic DNS service to access your server.

Step 2: Obtaining the Server Software

1. Launch Steam or Epic Games Store, depending on where you purchased ARK: Survival Evolved.
2. In the search bar, type “ARK Dedicated Server” and press Enter.
3. Find the “ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server” in the search results and download it to your computer.

Step 3: Installing the Server Software

1. Locate the downloaded server software on your computer (typically found in the installation directory specified during the download process).
2. Run the server software installer.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the dedicated server software. Choose the installation directory and any other relevant settings.

Step 4: Configuring the Server

1. Once the installation is complete, navigate to the installation directory where the dedicated server files are located.
2. Open the “ShooterGame” folder, followed by the “Saved” folder.
3. In the “Saved” folder, create a new folder called “Config” if it doesn’t already exist.
4. Inside the “Config” folder, create a new text file and name it “ServerSettings.ini”. This file will contain your server’s configuration settings.
5. Open the “ServerSettings.ini” file using a text editor.
6. Customize the server settings according to your preferences. This includes options such as server name, player limit, game rules, and more. You can refer to the ARK: Survival Evolved documentation or community forums for a list of available configuration options and their syntax.
7. Save the “ServerSettings.ini” file after making your changes.

Step 5: Starting the Server

1. Return to the main dedicated server installation directory.
2. Run the “ShooterGameServer.exe” file to start the server.
3. The server will begin initialization, and you will see a console window displaying server status and log information.
4. Wait for the server initialization to complete. Once it finishes, your dedicated server is up and running.

Step 6: Port Forwarding To allow players to connect to your dedicated server, you need to configure port forwarding on your router. The specific steps vary depending on the router model, but generally, you need to:

• Access your router’s settings by entering its IP address in a web browser.
• Locate the port forwarding or virtual server settings.
• Forward the following ports to your server’s local IP address:
  • TCP: 7777 (Game client connect)
  • UDP: 7777 (Game client connect)
  • UDP: 7778 (Raw socket for server)
• Save the changes and exit the router settings.

Step 7: Server Administration You can administer and manage your dedicated server using various server management tools. These tools provide a graphical interface to configure server settings, monitor server performance, and interact with players. Some popular server management tools for ARK: Survival Evolved include ARK Server Manager and ARK Dedicated Server Tool. Install and set up a server management tool of your choice to simplify server administration.

Congratulations! You have successfully set up a dedicated server for ARK: Survival Evolved. Players can now connect to your server and enjoy multiplayer gameplay according to the configured settings. Make sure to keep your server software andsystem updated to the latest versions and regularly monitor server performance for optimal gameplay experience.