How to Set Up an ARK: Survival Evolved Server

Are you ready to embark on an exciting ARK adventure with your friends? Setting up your own ARK server gives you full control over the gameplay experience, allowing you to customize settings, invite friends, and explore the vast world of ARK on your terms. This guide walks you through setting up and optimizing your newly purchased ARK server to ensure smooth gameplay.

Log In to the Game Panel ↗

Select Your Server

Stop the Server

Stop your server before making any changes.

Open the Network Tab

Configure Server Ports

Click Create Allocation three times. This will provide you with a total of four ports to use for your server.

Assign meaningful names to the allocations for easy identification:

Primary Port → Game/Server/Epic Games
Second Port → RAW
Third Port → Query/Steam
Last Port → Rcon

Set Startup Parameters

Navigate to the Startup tab and configure the following essential parameters:

Admin Password - Set a strong and secure password to protect your server from unauthorized access.
Server Map - Choose the ARK map you want to play on.
Server Name - Select a unique and descriptive name for your server.
Rcon Port - Use the port labeled Rcon from the Network tab.
Query Port - Use the port labeled Query/Steam from the Network tab.

Save and Start

Save all changes made to your server settings, then start your server and invite your friends to join the adventure!

Optimizing Server Settings (Optional)

Fine-tune your server settings to create a seamless and enjoyable gameplay experience. Consider adjusting the following:

Player Limits - Determine the maximum number of players allowed on your server.
XP Rates - Modify the experience gain rate to balance progression.
Taming Speed - Adjust the speed at which creatures can be tamed.
Harvesting Rates - Customize resource gathering rates to suit your preferences.
Difficulty Level - Set the desired challenge level for your players.
Engram Points - Allocate points for unlocking various in-game items and abilities.
Server Rules - Establish guidelines and rules for players to follow.

For a detailed breakdown of the available multipliers and recommended values, see Server Settings.

Congratulations! You have successfully set up your ARK server. Enjoy exploring the prehistoric world, taming majestic creatures, and creating unforgettable memories with your friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enable Crossplay between Epic Games and Steam?

Go to the Startup tab of your server and disable the BattlEye option by changing 1 to 0.
Add -crossplay to the Additional Arguments of your server.

How do I connect to my server?

Steam

Launch the Steam client and go to the View tab.
From the dropdown menu, select Servers to open the server browser.
In the server browser, click on the Favorites tab.
Click the Add a Server button to bring up the server entry dialog box.
Enter your server’s address and query port (IP:QUERY_PORT).
Click Add This Address To Favorites to save the server to your favorites list.
Now, open ARK and click Join Ark.
In the bottom left corner, under the filters, change the session filter to Favorites.
Press the refresh button, and you should see your server listed.
Click on your server to join and start playing.

Make sure to use the query port to connect to the server, not the game port.

If any issues arise, contact us ↗.