Here’s Our Guide to Creating and Joining a Non-Dedicated ARK Server

Helpful Summary

Overview: This article offers a comprehensive guide to setting up and joining a non-dedicated server for ARK: Survival Evolved.
Why you can trust us: We have a proven track record in enhancing server reliability and supporting vibrant gaming communities.
Why this is important: Setting up a non-dedicated server allows for a flexible, personalized gaming experience with friends for casual play and small group sessions.
Action points: Follow the step-by-step guide to configure and start your non-dedicated server, ensuring you meet the hardware and internet requirements for optimal performance.
Further research: Explore other server hosting options for ARK with Iceline Hosting.

Need Help Setting Up a Non-Dedicated Server for ARK?

ARK: Survival Evolved is a popular multiplayer survival game known for its cooperative gameplay and expansive open-world environment.

For many players, creating or joining a non-dedicated server is a cost-effective and flexible way to enjoy the game with friends. Unlike dedicated servers, non-dedicated servers offer a more relaxed setup, perfect for small groups and local play.

In this guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about creating and joining a non-dedicated server in ARK.

Why Listen to Us?

Iceline Hosting provides premium game server hosting, dedicated servers, web hosting, and DDoS protection. We have firsthand experience supporting gaming communities and consistently deliver high-quality performance and uptime.

Our customers benefit from seamless server experiences and reliable customer support.

How to Create a Non-Dedicated ARK Server

Unlike many survival games, ARK allows you to host a non-dedicated server directly from the main menu, making it accessible to anyone who wants to play with friends without needing additional software or hardware.

Here are the steps:

1. Launch ARK and Access Host/Local

To begin, launch ARK: Survival Evolved from your Steam library or another platform (such as Epic Games or Xbox). Once the game loads, you’ll arrive at the main menu.

Here, locate and select the “Host/Local” option.

This will take you to the server setup screen, where you can customize your server settings to match your preferences. The "Host/Local" option allows you to control the world you will play in and define the rules of your game session.

2. Configure Server Settings

On the server setup screen, there are various options to tailor your gaming experience.

Here are the key settings to adjust:

Difficulty Level: Influences the strength and behavior of wild creatures. A higher difficulty level means stronger creatures and better loot from them.
XP Multipliers: Controls how quickly you and other players gain experience points (XP). Increasing this allows for faster leveling, which lets you speed through the early game.
Damage Multipliers: Similar to above—controls how quickly players, structures, and dinos take damage. You can get creative here with sudden-death games, juggernaut modes, and more.
Resource Gathering Rates: Adjust how much you collect when gathering materials. You can increase this to make progression faster or lower it for a more challenging experience.
Session Name & Password: Set a unique session name for your server. This is what other players will see when joining your game. You can also add a password to restrict access to specific players, enhancing privacy and control.
Tether Distance: This is a crucial setting in non-dedicated servers. The tether distance determines how far players can move from the host before they’re teleported back… which is always annoying. A higher tether distance allows more exploration, but increasing it can impact game performance (especially on low-end systems). Set this to 99.0 for maximum freedom.

3. Start the Session

Once you’ve configured all your desired settings, click the “Host Non-Dedicated Session” button on the screen. This will initiate the server, and the game will begin loading your session.

During this time, the game sets up your world according to your chosen parameters. As the host, you will spawn into the game world, and your non-dedicated server will now be live, ready for others to join.

4. Invite Your Friends

The final step? Invite your friends. To do this, share the session name and password you set, and have them follow the steps below.

How to Join a Non-Dedicated ARK Server

Once your friends have created a non-dedicated server, you can join them by following these steps:

From the main menu of ARK, select the “Join Ark” option. This will bring up a list of available servers.

2. Filter for Non-Dedicated Servers

To find your friend's server, use the Session Filter at the bottom left corner of the screen and set it to Non-Dedicated Sessions. This will narrow the results to show only non-dedicated servers.

3. Find the Session

If your friend has provided the session name and password, use the Search by Name filter at the top of the list to type in the server name. Once you find the session, select it and press Join… it really is that simple!

What Are the Requirements for Setting Up a Non-Dedicated ARK Server?

Hardware Specifications

The host's computer should meet or exceed ARK’s recommended system requirements.

Ideally, you should have a powerful CPU (at least a quad-core processor), 16GB RAM or more, and a modern GPU with at least 4GB of VRAM. Insufficient hardware can lead to lag, lower frame rates, and poor performance for all players.

Internet Connection Quality

A stable, high-speed internet connection is also essential for hosting a non-dedicated server. The host’s connection must handle both the game data and the data for other players connecting to the server.

A minimum upload speed of 5 Mbps is suitable for small groups. However, higher speeds are better when multiple players are joining. A wired Ethernet connection is preferable to Wi-Fi to reduce latency and ensure a stable connection.

Available Storage Space

Ensure that there’s sufficient storage space available. ARK, along with its mods and saved game data, can take up a significant amount of disk space. It’s best to have at least 100GB of free space to accommodate the game. Also, using an SSD can help improve load times and overall game performance.

System Cooling and Power

A non-dedicated server places a significant load on your computer. Ensure your computer has adequate cooling to avoid overheating, which can lead to thermal throttling and reduced performance. Also, ensure your power supply is stable and sufficient for your system’s needs.

Best Practices for Using a Non-Dedicated Server

Optimize Your Computer

Optimizing your system for better performance is essential—close unnecessary background applications to free up CPU and memory resources. You can also lower in-game graphics settings to reduce the load on your hardware for a better experience.

Want to play with friends without sacrificing game quality?

A dedicated server is the way to go. With this option, you rent a top-of-the-line machine from a provider like Iceline Hosting. This lets you max out graphics settings without any performance issues.

Regularly Save Progress

Since the server only runs when the host is online, it is important to save your progress frequently.

Use the “Save and Exit” option regularly to prevent loss of progress due to unexpected crashes or disconnects. Also, ensure your friends do not make major changes right before logging off to ensure their work is saved.

Communicate with Your Group

Effective communication is key when running a non-dedicated server.

Coordinate play sessions with your group to ensure everyone can join when the host is available. Also, set clear expectations about when the server will be online and discuss any potential changes to settings or mods before implementing them.

Backup Game Files

To protect your game progress, regularly back up your game files.

This is especially important if you plan to modify game settings or install new mods. Backing up your files ensures that you can restore your server to a previous state if something goes wrong, preventing potential data loss and frustration for your group.

Conclusion

Setting up a non-dedicated server is an easy way to host a personalized game session with friends. With this guide, you can easily create and join a non-dedicated ARK server, customize it to fit your gaming style, and explore the expansive world of ARK with others.

Want to experience the benefits of a dedicated ARK server? At Iceline Hosting, we offer affordable, reliable, dedicated server hosting for ARK that lets you and your friends experience the game at its absolute best.