How to Host an ARK Survival Evolved Server (2026 Guide)

To host an ARK: Survival Evolved server, download the free server with SteamCMD (app 376030), start ShooterGameServer with a map name such as TheIsland?listen, then set rates and passwords in GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini under ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer. Open UDP 7777, 7778 and 27015. Plan on at least 8 GB of RAM for The Island and more for DLC maps or mods.

Should you host ARK Survival Evolved or Survival Ascended?

They are different games with different servers, and players of one cannot join the other.

Host ASE if your group already owns it, has older PCs, or wants a classic Workshop modpack. If you are starting fresh with console friends, our ARK Survival Ascended hosting guide is the one you want. The config files and most setting names are the same in both, so much of what follows carries over.

How much RAM does an ARK Survival Evolved server need?

ARK is one of the heaviest survival servers, and the map matters more than player count.

Disk is significant too: the server files alone take well over 20 GB with all DLC maps included. A fast single thread CPU helps more than many cores.

How do I install the ASE server with SteamCMD?

1. Install SteamCMD.
2. Download the server anonymously. You do not need to own ARK for this:

login anonymous
force_install_dir C:\arkse
app_update 376030 validate
quit

3. Create a start script (start.bat on Windows) with the launch line:

start ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64\ShooterGameServer.exe "TheIsland?listen?SessionName=Tame Weekend?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?MaxPlayers=20" -server -log

On Linux the binary is ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/ShooterGameServer.

4. Start it once and wait. The first boot takes several minutes. When it is up, stop it so the config files exist and can be edited.

Rerun app_update 376030 whenever ARK updates, or players on the new version cannot join.

Which map names does ARK use?

The first part of the launch line picks the map. Every map keeps its own save, so you can switch and come back later.

Players need to own a paid DLC map (Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, Genesis) to play on it. The free community maps such as Ragnarok, Valguero and Fjordur only need the base game.

What should I change in GameUserSettings.ini?

Both config files live in ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ (or LinuxServer/). Edit them only with the server stopped, because ARK writes them on shutdown.

[ServerSettings]
ServerPassword=crew-only
ServerAdminPassword=change-me-admin
ServerPVE=True
DifficultyOffset=1.0
OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0
TamingSpeedMultiplier=3.0
HarvestAmountMultiplier=2.0
XPMultiplier=2.0
AllowFlyerCarryPvE=True
ActiveMods=

[SessionSettings]
SessionName=Tame Weekend

[/Script/Engine.GameSession]
MaxPlayers=20

Breeding settings go in Game.ini under [/script/shootergame.shootergamemode]:

[/script/shootergame.shootergamemode]
MatingIntervalMultiplier=0.2
EggHatchSpeedMultiplier=10.0
BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier=10.0

Lower MatingIntervalMultiplier means shorter waits between matings. Higher hatch and mature values mean faster babies. A full key list is on the ARK wiki server configuration page.

How do I add Steam Workshop mods to an ASE server?

1. Copy each mod's ID from its Workshop URL.
2. List them in load order in GameUserSettings.ini:

ActiveMods=731604991,1404697612

3. Add -automanagedmods to the end of your launch line so the server downloads and updates the mods itself.
4. Restart. Players download the mods when they join.

Put mods that change core systems (structures, stacks) first and maps last. When a mod updates, restart the server so it pulls the new version, or players get kicked for a mismatch.

How do I set up an ARK cluster for transfers?

A cluster lets players carry characters, dinos and items between maps. Each map is its own server process, all pointing at one shared folder:

ShooterGameServer.exe "TheIsland?listen?SessionName=Tame Island?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015" -server -log -clusterid=tamecluster -ClusterDirOverride="C:\arkcluster"
ShooterGameServer.exe "Ragnarok?listen?SessionName=Tame Ragnarok?Port=7779?QueryPort=27017" -server -log -clusterid=tamecluster -ClusterDirOverride="C:\arkcluster"

• Use the same -clusterid and -ClusterDirOverride on every map.
• Give each map unique ports. ARK uses the game port plus the next one up, so space them by two.
• Budget RAM for every map running at once, not just one.

The cluster concept is the same in ASA, covered in our ASA cluster guide.

What ports does an ARK Survival Evolved server use?

Our port forwarding guide covers the router side. If the server does not show in the browser, set the filter to Unofficial and tick Show password protected servers, or join with open 203.0.113.10:7777 in the in game console.

FAQ

Can ARK Survival Ascended players join an ASE server?

No. ASE and ASA are separate games with separate servers and saves. Your group has to pick one.

How many players can an ARK Survival Evolved server hold?

You set it with MaxPlayers. Official servers ran 70, but on your own server RAM and CPU set the real limit, and most private servers run 10 to 30.

Can Epic Games players join a Steam ASE server?

Yes, if the server is started with -crossplay. Steam and Epic PC players can then share it.

How do I use admin commands on my ASE server?

Press Tab to open the console, type enablecheats followed by your ServerAdminPassword, then use commands like cheat fly or cheat saveworld.

Why does the server use so much RAM before anyone joins?

ARK loads the entire map into memory at startup. Large DLC maps can need 10 GB with nobody online, and mods add more.

The easy option: host it with us

ARK is demanding on a home PC: lots of RAM, long boots and a machine left on so the tribe can log in. Our ARK: Survival Evolved hosting starts at 19.99 USD a month for 8 GB, with 12, 16 and 24 GB plans for bigger maps and modpacks. The panel has the map, passwords, max players, BattlEye and a Mods field for Workshop IDs, and you edit the ini files in the file manager or over SFTP. New customers get 50% off the first month, the tribe can split the bill, and you can upgrade when you move to a bigger map.