ARK Survival Ascended Crossplay Server: PC, Xbox and PS5

ARK: Survival Ascended dedicated servers are crossplay by default: Steam players, the Microsoft Store version on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 can all join one server. The -ServerPlatform launch option controls it, and leaving it out allows every platform. Crossplay breaks when the server runs a mod that is not marked cross platform, and non dedicated sessions do not support crossplay at all.

Is ARK Survival Ascended crossplay?

Yes. ASA supports crossplay between every platform it ships on, on dedicated servers (official and unofficial):

Console players need their platform's online subscription to play on any server. The server itself does not care which store a player bought the game from, only which platforms it is set to accept.

How do I make my ARK server crossplay?

You mostly do not have to do anything. The ARK wiki's server configuration page documents the -ServerPlatform launch option with these values:

Without the option, the server assumes crossplay and allows all platforms. A full start line for a crossplay server looks like this:

ArkAscendedServer.exe TheIsland_WP?listen?SessionName="Crossplay Tribe"?ServerPassword=joinpass?ServerAdminPassword=adminpass -port=7777 -ServerPlatform=ALL

Only set a single value if you want to lock a platform out, for example -ServerPlatform=PC for a Steam only server.

Which mods work on a crossplay ARK server?

Only mods marked as cross platform on CurseForge. ASA mods run on console, which is one of the game's big advantages, but the mod author has to publish a console compatible version. CurseForge shows the supported platforms on each mod page.

The rule that catches people: one PC only mod in the list locks Xbox and PlayStation players out of the whole server. If console friends suddenly cannot see or join the server after a mod change, check the mod you added last. Our guide to installing mods on an ARK Survival Ascended server covers adding mods by project ID.

Mod maps follow the same rule. A cross platform mod map works for everyone, a PC only one makes the server PC only.

Why can console players not find my ARK server?

Consoles have no way to type an address, so Xbox and PlayStation players must find your server in the list:

1. Join Game, then switch to Unofficial.
2. Turn on Show Player Servers.
3. Search for the session name.

If the server is missing for console players but PC players can join with open IP:port, check these in order:

• A PC only mod is installed. Remove it and restart.
• -ServerPlatform is set to PC or another single platform.
• Version mismatch. The server must be on the same game version as the consoles. Restart it after a patch so it updates.
• It is brand new. A new server can take a few minutes to appear in the list.

More fixes are in ARK server not showing up.

Do non dedicated sessions support crossplay?

No. A non dedicated session, where one player hosts from their own game, only works with players on the same platform as the host. It also tethers everyone to the host and stops when the host quits. For a mixed PC and console group, a dedicated server is the only way to play together. See how to play ARK Survival Ascended with friends for the full comparison.

What works differently for console players?

Crossplay servers play the same for everyone, with a few practical differences:

• Admin commands. Console admins turn on Console Access in the advanced settings, then open the command bar with LB + RB + X + Y on Xbox or L1 + R1 + Square + Triangle on PlayStation, and log in with enablecheats and the admin password. See ARK Survival Ascended admin commands.
• Whitelists use EOS IDs. Every platform has an Epic Online Services ID, which is what AllowPlayerToJoinNoCheck and ban commands use. Use ListPlayers in the console to see each player's ID.
• Save transfers. Uploading a world to a server is done with files, which means from a PC. A console single player world cannot be uploaded the same way.

Can a crossplay ARK server run a cluster?

Yes. A cluster is several servers, one map each, that share a cluster ID and folder so characters and dinos can travel. Crossplay works across the cluster as long as every map uses only cross platform mods. The setup is in how to set up an ARK Survival Ascended cluster.

Running a crossplay ARK server with GamezServers

Our ARK: Survival Ascended servers are cross platform out of the box, so Xbox and PlayStation friends find yours under Unofficial with Show Player Servers on. Add CurseForge mod IDs in the panel (stick to cross platform ones for console friends), set a password or turn on whitelist only, and the server updates itself on every restart so versions stay matched. Plans start at 29.99 USD a month for 12 GB, with 50% off the first month for new customers on monthly plans. One note: clusters are not available on our plans yet, so each server runs one map.

FAQ

Is ARK Survival Ascended crossplay between PC and PS5?

Yes. Steam, Microsoft Store PC, Xbox Series X|S and PS5 players can share a dedicated server.

How do I turn on crossplay on my ARK server?

It is on by default. Leave out -ServerPlatform, or set it to ALL, and use only cross platform mods.

Why can my Xbox friend not join my modded ARK server?

At least one mod on the server is not marked cross platform on CurseForge. One PC only mod blocks consoles from the whole server.

Can console players join an ARK server by IP?

No. Xbox and PlayStation players can only join from the Unofficial list with Show Player Servers on. Only PC players can use open with an address.

Can I make my ARK server PC only?

Yes. Start it with -ServerPlatform=PC for Steam only.