Setting up a private server for friends makes Ark seem more fun and challenging. There are many tutorials on the web, but it seems that there are enough people not finding what they need, so I created my own guide.
ArksRekt is a popular ark server using the latest version of ark. We’re going to show you how to set up an ark server for friends, how to join non dedicated server ark and how to play with friends on ark ps4. This works for single, multiple and official servers.
How to set up ark server for friends
Overview
ARK Survival Evolved is an amazing and unique survival game with one of the most addictive gameplay loops. With its breathtaking landscapes, consistent content drops, and plethora of paleontological wonders, you’re sure to never get bored. But avast, like most video games, it is most enjoyable with friends by your side.
ARK: Survival Evolved is a game that is meant to be played with your friends, with all of you forming a group destined to become the Alpha clan! But before we can get to the fun part of dominating other friend groups with your prehistoric might, we need to actually figure out how to play together. Today, we’re going to go over all the ways you and your pals can coordinate and join each other in-game. Let’s begin.
Joining Servers
The first way to get starting on multiplayer with your friends is similar to most server based survival games.
- In the main menu, select the Join Ark option.
- Change the filters to accommodate how you would like to play the game
- Select a server to play on
- Press the Join button
After you’ve pressed the Join Ark button on the main menu, a server browser will open up. Like most games, each server has its own name, description, map, playercount, ping, server age, mode, and version. You can also see if the server is white listed or whether it uses anti-cheat.
This is the process that you will use to join public servers on both console and PC. ARK has multiple official servers run by the developers which assure a level of quality and reliability. There are also public servers hosted by individuals.
For more information regarding joining servers, check out our full guide on joining servers using steam or the game itself here.
Hosting Servers
ARK: Survival Evolved allows you to host you very own server straight from the main menu. There are two options, so let’s go over the difference between the two and why you would choose either.
Non-Dedicated Session
- In the main menu, select Host/Local
- Select to Host a Non-Dedicated Session
Non-Dedicated sessions is a unique instance of a game where you and your friends can play with each other with the odd caveat of what is referred to as a ‘tether’. This tether forces all players who are playing to be a minimum distance from the server host (who created the non-dedicated session). If the players attempt to move further away from the host, they will be transported back to the host’s location.
On PC, this ‘tether’ is very generous and allows for quite a bit of freedom, but on console it is quite strict and requires the players to be quite close to each other.
Running a Dedicated Server
Running a dedicated server is a process that requires dedicated hardware being used to run the game server by using its resources such as RAM and processing power. Unfortunately, this typically requires a separate device whether it be an entire game console or a separate computer. This also involves numerous separate processes such as port forwarding, file management, and more.
This is quite unrealistic, but that is why most people use a third party hosting service to set up, manage, and operate the server for them on their own hardware. If you rather have a more optimized experience overall, a great option is going with companies like Apex Hosting, were you can pay a monthly/quarterly fee to have a server set up and managed for you, allowing you to skip all of the difficult technical know-how required to get started. With the use of an easy to learn control panel and the assistance of 24/7 live technical support, Apex Hosting is a splendid option for you to get started with your friends today.
Conclusion
That’s all there is to it! Unfortunately, setting up your own private gaming session is not exactly as streamlined as other survival games, but ARK is still an inventive and unique gameplay experience that is quite enjoyable! It is also one of the few survival games that offers official servers. This is definitely a game meant to be played on multiplayer. I hope this blog helped you, and I hope you and your friends become to Alpha clan of whatever server you end up playing on. Have a great day!
how to join non dedicated server ark
ARK is an action-adventure survival-based game that revolves around different creatures from the prehistoric era. These creatures range from sabretooth to horrifying dinosaurs. While you can hunt them down, you can also befriend them by taming them. Do you know what will be cooler and bring more fun to the party? Some friends! You can create or join a server to play with friends. How? Check out our guide on how to make and join a Non-dedicated server in ARK Survival Evolved.
How to Make & Join a Non-Dedicated Server in ARK Survival Evolved
You can host or join a Non-dedicated Server by following some steps. But you need to make sure of tweaking some settings. Before we begin, make sure to increase your Non-dedicated Host server’s tether distance to the maximum. Let’s start with how to host a server or a session first.
How to Make a Non-Dedicated Server
Follow these steps to host a session:
- Select the Host\Local option on your main menu.
- As mentioned earlier, we suggest setting the Non-dedicated Host tether distance to 99.0.
- You can find this setting to the left in the ARK Rules in the General tab.
- If you want to apply some mods, select the mods to your right.
- In addition to these, you can also tweak options for Story or Custom ARKS.
- Once you have applied the suitable ARK rules and Mod settings, select the Host Non-dedicated option.
- Now, you need to set up the password and the name of the session.
- If you want the session to be private, you can check the box for Private Match.
- Then, select the Accept option to make a Non-dedicated server.
How to Join a Non-Dedicated Server in ARK
Follow the mentioned below steps to join the session:
- Select the Join ARK option on the main menu.
- As you select the option, you will see a long Session list with all the servers.
- You can toggle the Session filter to Non-dedicated sessions. You can find it at the bottom left.
- If you want to join a server hosted by your friends, type the Server’s name on the Name filter at the top.
- Then, select the Join option to join a Non-dedicated server in ARK.
how to play with friends on ark ps4
Your friends can now get you some help in combat!
Check out this video for detailed instructions:
Ways to Play – Playing with Friends – Ark: Survival Evolved
What is more fun than exploring the maps of Ark Survival Survival Evolved? Enjoy this amazing game with your friends! You are probably excited to show your buddies all the incredible dinosaurs and features, and if you don’t exactly know how to do this, just continue reading.
First of all, there are multiple ways to play with your friends, so it all comes down to your preference. You can choose to play on a public server if you want to be around your friends but also interact with many other players.
Another alternative is represented by dedicated and non-dedicated servers. Dedicated ones are perfect if you want the liberty to hop on and off the server any time. Non-dedicated is basically a host. You play on a single-player map, but your friends can join the game. With this option, you are the one who controls the settings and you have to start the game so others can join. Lastly, if you don’t have the necessary specifications, you can even rent a dedicated server.
How it works:
- Online servers: Open the game and simply press “Join Ark”. Choose the same server as your friends and meet them there!
- Non-Dedicated server: Instead of clicking on “Join Ark”, click on “Host/Local”. After that, you will have multiple versions in the middle of the screen, including “Play Single Player” and “Run Non-Dedicated Server”. Choose the dedicated server and spawn it into your world. You can then invite your friends through Steam
- Dedicated server: In the same menu, above the “Run Non-Dedicated Server” is also the option “Run Dedicated Server”. However, clicking the button won’t be enough, as you have to install an app called “Ark Server Manager”