Greetings fellow gamers! In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of hosting a local server for Ark: Survival Evolved. As we all know, Ark is an action-adventure survival game that requires a lot of resources to run smoothly. By hosting a local server, you can enjoy the game without any lags or interruptions. So, let’s get started!
Section 1: Prerequisites
Before we begin, there are a few things you need to have in order to host a local server for Ark:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Computer | You will need a computer with at least 8GB of RAM and a dedicated graphics card. The higher the specs, the better the performance. |
| Ark: Survival Evolved Game | You will need to purchase and download the game on your computer. |
| Steam Client | You will need to have the Steam client installed on your computer. |
| Port Forwarding | You will need to set up port forwarding on your router to allow other players to join your local server. |
Subsection 1.1: Computer
Your computer is the most important factor in hosting a local server for Ark. The higher the specs, the better the performance. Here are some recommended specs for the best experience:
- Operating System: Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit versions)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2400/AMD FX-8320 or better
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 670 2GB/AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB or better
- Storage: 60 GB available space
If your computer does not meet these specs, you may experience lag or poor performance while hosting a server. However, you can still try hosting a local server with lower-end specs, but the gameplay may not be smooth.
Subsection 1.2: Ark: Survival Evolved Game
You will need to purchase and download Ark: Survival Evolved on your computer through the Steam client. The game costs $49.99 and is available on Steam.
Subsection 1.3: Steam Client
The Steam client is a platform for purchasing and playing games on your computer. To install the Steam client, follow these steps:
- Go to the Steam website
- Click on the “Install Steam” button on the top right corner
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the client on your computer
Subsection 1.4: Port Forwarding
Port forwarding is important for allowing other players to join your local server. Here are the steps to set up port forwarding:
- Open your router settings by typing your router’s IP address in your browser. You can find the IP address on your router or by searching “ipconfig” in Command Prompt.
- Log in to your router using the default username and password. You can find these in the manual or on the back of your router.
- Locate the “Port Forwarding” or “Virtual Server” section and add a new rule.
- Enter the following information:
- Protocol: TCP/UDP
- External Port: 7777-7778
- Internal Port: 7777-7778
- Internal IP Address: your computer’s IP address
- Save the settings and exit the router settings.
Section 2: Setting up the Local Server
Now that you have all the prerequisites, it’s time to set up the local server. Follow these steps:
- Open the Steam client and go to the “Library” section.
- Find Ark: Survival Evolved and right-click on it to open the context menu.
- Select “Properties” and go to the “Local Files” tab.
- Click on “Browse Local Files” to open the game’s folder.
- Open the “ShooterGame” folder and create a new folder named “Saved” if it doesn’t already exist.
- Open the “Saved” folder and create a new folder named “Config” if it doesn’t already exist.
- Create a new text file named “GameUserSettings.ini” and open it with a text editor like Notepad.
- Copy and paste the following code into the text file:
| Code |
|---|
| [ServerSettings] ServerAdminPassword= ServerPassword= ServerName= ServerPassword= MaxPlayers= SessionName= SessionPassword= |
Replace the values in <> with your own preferred settings. Here’s what each value means:
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| ServerAdminPassword | Password for server admin access |
| ServerPassword | Password for players to join the server |
| ServerName | Name of the server |
| MaxPlayers | Maximum number of players allowed on the server |
| SessionName | Name of the session |
| SessionPassword | Password for players to join the session |
Save the file and exit the text editor.
Section 3: Starting the Local Server
Now that you have set up the server, it’s time to start it. Follow these steps:
- Open the Steam client and go to the “Library” section.
- Find Ark: Survival Evolved and right-click on it to open the context menu.
- Select “Properties” and go to the “Set Launch Options” tab.
- Enter the following code:
| Code |
|---|
| -high -USEALLAVAILABLECORES -server -log |
Save the settings and exit the Steam client.
- Go to the game’s folder and open the “ShooterGame” folder.
- Right-click on “ShooterGameServer.exe” and select “Run as Administrator”.
- The server will start and you can monitor its progress in the console window.
Once the server is running, other players can join by entering your IP address and port number in the game’s server browser. You can find your IP address by typing “ipconfig” in Command Prompt.
FAQs
Q1. Can I host a local server for Ark on a lower-end computer?
A. Yes, you can host a local server on a lower-end computer. However, you may experience lags and poor performance.
Q2. Do I need to purchase a separate copy of Ark to host a local server?
A. No, you do not need to purchase a separate copy of Ark to host a local server.
Q3. How many players can join my local server?
A. You can set the maximum number of players allowed on the server in the GameUserSettings.ini file. The recommended maximum is 10 players.
Q4. Do I need to set up port forwarding to host a local server?
A. Yes, you need to set up port forwarding to allow other players to join your local server.
Q5. Can I change the server settings after starting the server?
A. Yes, you can change the server settings in the GameUserSettings.ini file and restart the server for the changes to take effect.
Q6. How do I stop the local server?
A. To stop the server, go to the console window and press Ctrl + C. This will shut down the server.
Q7. How do I update the local server?
A. To update the server, go to the game’s folder and delete the “ShooterGame” folder. Then, verify the game files in Steam to download the latest version.
Q8. Can I host a local server for Ark on a Mac or Linux computer?
A. No, Ark: Survival Evolved is only available for Windows computers.
Q9. Do I need to have an internet connection to host a local server for Ark?
A. Yes, you need to have an internet connection to host a local server for Ark.
Q10. Can I play the game and host the server on the same computer?
A. Yes, you can play the game and host the server on the same computer. However, this may affect performance and cause lags.
That’s it! You now know how to host a local server for Ark: Survival Evolved. We hope this guide helped you enjoy the game without any interruptions. If you have any further questions or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.