Can You Make a Friends Only Server in Ark?
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Yes, absolutely! You can create a private, friends-only server in Ark: Survival Evolved, ensuring a gaming experience free from unwanted strangers. This allows you and your friends to explore the prehistoric world, build bases, tame dinosaurs, and progress through the game together in a secure and controlled environment. There are several ways to achieve this, each with its own benefits and limitations, which we will explore in detail below. Whether you’re looking for a simple, local setup or a more robust, always-online server, Ark offers the flexibility to tailor your gaming experience to your preferences.
Hosting Options for Friends-Only Ark Servers
There are primarily two ways to host a private server for you and your friends: Non-Dedicated Servers and Dedicated Servers. Understanding the differences between these two options is crucial for choosing the best setup for your needs.
Non-Dedicated Servers
- What are they? Non-dedicated servers are hosted directly from your own computer while you play the game. This means you’re both the host and a player simultaneously.
- How to setup: To create a non-dedicated server, you select the “Host/Local” option from the main menu and then click “Host Non-Dedicated Server.” A window will appear where you can set an Admin Password and also check the “Private Game” box. Checking this box ensures that only people you invite can join your game.
- Limitations: Non-dedicated servers have several limitations. The most significant is that the server is only active while you, the host, are playing. If you log off, the server shuts down and your friends cannot play. Also, there is a tethering distance, which means players are limited in how far they can move away from the host. Additionally, the number of players is often capped at 4, although this can vary depending on the specific settings and system capabilities.
- Pros: These servers are easy to set up and require no additional costs.
- Cons: They are not continuously available, have player limits, tether distances, and rely on your computer’s performance.
Dedicated Servers
- What are they? Dedicated servers run independently of your client game, providing a consistent and continuously accessible experience. This allows players to jump into the server and play even when the host is offline.
- How to setup: Setting up a dedicated server requires more technical effort. This generally involves either renting a server from a third-party hosting provider or using software like SteamCMD to host the server from your own machine. If hosting yourself, you’ll need to install the server software, configure the server settings, and open required network ports.
- Benefits: Dedicated servers offer significant advantages. They provide 24/7 availability, no tethering restrictions, support more players, and offer better performance as they are not impacted by the host playing the game simultaneously.
- Cost: Renting a dedicated server typically costs between $15 and $30 per month, depending on your specific requirements and the server provider. Hosting from your own machine is much cheaper, only costing you the expense of electricity and internet usage, but requires a computer to remain on continuously.
- Pros: No player limits, 24/7 access, no tethering restrictions, much better performance.
- Cons: Can be more costly or technically complex to set up.
Making Your Non-Dedicated Server Private
Creating a private non-dedicated server for your friends is simple. Follow these steps:
- From the Ark main menu, select Host/Local.
- Click on Host Non-Dedicated Server.
- In the window that appears, set an Admin Password. This is crucial to control who can manage the server and use admin commands.
- Check the “Private Game” checkbox located above the Admin Password field.
- Click OK.
- Invite your friends through the Steam overlay or in-game interface.
By checking the “Private Game” option, you ensure that only players you invite can join your game, effectively making it a friends-only server.
Enhancing Privacy and Control
By using either a private non-dedicated server or a dedicated server with controlled access, you gain complete privacy over your Ark experience. You can limit who enters your game, prevent interference from random players, and tailor the gameplay to your group’s specific preferences. This gives you full control over the world you explore, the rules you play by, and who you play with.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can my friend play on my non-dedicated server if I’m offline?
No, on a non-dedicated server, your friend cannot play if you are offline. Non-dedicated servers only run while the host (you) is playing.
2. How many people can play on a non-dedicated server?
Non-dedicated servers typically support a maximum of 4 players, including the host. However, this number can sometimes be adjusted through configuration settings.
3. Is there a tether distance on a non-dedicated server?
Yes, non-dedicated servers have a tether distance, which means that players cannot move too far away from the host. A cheat code can be used to enable a “god mode” so you can leave the game running while staying in one place, allowing others to play within range, but this can be inconvenient.
4. Do non-dedicated servers save progress?
Yes, non-dedicated servers save progress. The server saves when the host closes the game.
5. Can I transfer my single-player world to a non-dedicated server?
Yes, your single-player world and non-dedicated server share the same save files. You do not need to move the files. Just start the non-dedicated server, and you are good to go.
6. How do I start a dedicated server on Ark?
To start a dedicated server, you’ll typically either rent server space from a hosting provider or use SteamCMD to install the server files on your computer. Then, you need to configure the server settings and open the required network ports.
7. How much does it cost to rent an Ark dedicated server?
Renting a dedicated Ark server usually costs between $15 and $30 per month, depending on the provider and server specifications.
8. What’s the difference between a dedicated and non-dedicated server?
The main difference is that a dedicated server is always online, even when the host isn’t playing, while a non-dedicated server only runs when the host is in the game. Additionally, dedicated servers do not have tethering limitations.
9. Can I host a free Ark server?
You can host a free server using a service like Scalacube, however these free plans may have severe limitations. Alternatively, you can use your own computer to host the server free of charge (only paying for electricity and internet usage).
10. Do dedicated servers save progress?
Yes, dedicated servers are saved using the admin command “admincheat saveworld”. The server also saves automatically at regular intervals.
11. Can you switch a non-dedicated server to a dedicated server?
Yes, you can transfer your non-dedicated save files to a dedicated server. You will need to locate the server files for your dedicated server and move the contents of your save into the appropriate folder, then rename the LocalPlayer file to your numeric Steam ID.
12. What is a single-player server in Ark?
Single-player mode is where you play the game offline by yourself. It allows access to all the same features as online play, including mods and one-player tribes.
13. What is the best map to play on in Ark?
While this is subjective, The Island is a very popular and well-loved map, given it’s the first map in the game and is often praised for its balance of challenge, resource availability, and exploration opportunities.
14. How do I make my non-dedicated server invite-only?
When starting a non-dedicated server, check the “Private Game” checkbox, which allows you to invite only the players you want on your server.
15. How do I transfer my single-player world to a dedicated server?
You will need to find your save game information in your single player files, copy and move those files, install any matching mods on the server, change config files, and then upload the files to the server.
Conclusion
Creating a friends-only server in Ark: Survival Evolved is not only possible but also highly encouraged for those seeking a tailored and controlled gaming experience. Whether you opt for the convenience of a non-dedicated server or the robustness of a dedicated server, the ability to create a private community of players will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the game. By understanding the different options available and following the steps provided, you can easily create a fun and secure environment for your and your friends to explore the world of Ark together.