Getting Started with Your ARK: Survival Evolved Server

Getting Started with Your ARK: Survival Evolved Server

Ready to tame dinosaurs? Here's the fastest way to get started.

1. Find your server

Go to My Services and open your ARK server to see the console, files, and settings.

2. Choose a map

Under Startup you can choose which official map the server should run (e.g. TheIsland, Ragnarok, TheCenter). Save the change and restart the server to switch maps.

3. Adjust server settings

The most important settings are set as startup variables:

• SessionName — the name shown in the server list
• ServerPassword — optional password
• MaxPlayers — maximum number of players
• XPMultiplier, TamingSpeedMultiplier, HarvestAmountMultiplier — adjust the game's pace

4. Start the server

Click Start. The first boot can take 10-15 minutes as the map and all assets load.

5. Connect to the server

Open ARK, go to Join ARK → Unofficial → Search, or add the server directly via IP and port from the control panel under Favorites.

6. Install mods

Under Startup you can enter Steam Workshop mod IDs in the GameModIds field. Restart the server and mods download and activate automatically.

Tips

• Enable automatic backups before setting up a cluster with multiple maps.
• Use cluster IDs to connect multiple ARK servers so players can transfer dinosaurs and items between maps.
• Check the log under Console if the server won't start — it's usually a bad mod ID or insufficient disk space.