Setting up your own Dedicated Server for Ark Survival Ascended

[Amadeus]

Dedicated Server for ASA
(to make and host your own Unofficial Dedicated Server, not using a hosting service)
First get the Dedicated Server files.

In the upper left corner of your steam library, under the Home, there is Games, Software, (dropdown filter), click it and check the box for Tools.
Now you will see ASA Dedicated Server show up on your list, download and install it. This is better and easier than using steamcmd, and it'll automatically update.

Now make a batch file, similar to Ark Survival Evolved, and put it in the same directory as the executable for the server or point it at its location in the batch file. The server files are located in SteamLibrary/Steamapps/Common/Ark Survival Ascended Dedicated Server/Shootergame/Binaries/Win64

Your batch file will run ArkAscendedServer and relevant config such as server name, password, ports, see guides for setting up Ark Survival Evolved for more info if needed.

[Rags]

Have you done this yourself and know it works? Did you have to buy the game twice in order to host and play?

[Amadeus]

Batch file will look like this:

start ArkAscendedServer.exe TheIsland_WP?listen?SessionName=<server_name>?ServerPassword=<join_password>?ServerAdminPassword=<admin_password>?Port=<port>?QueryPort=<query_port>?MaxPlayers=<max_players> -NoBattlEye
exit

replace <server_name> with your server name, if it is called Cookie, then:
SessionName="Cookie"?

[Amadeus]

yes, I have done it, I only own one copy. it works if on the same computer.

[hybridblue]

You still have to have two accounts with a copy on each account since you have to "log in" for steamcmd to work.
Some people say once you have the server files you can log out of steamcmd and launch but I have not seen anyone confirm it.

Also, the server bin's are for Windows only right now. Also a deal breaker.

[One Eyed Whilli]

this does work. I just got it running on a Windows VM and forwarded the ports. Performance is much better when its not running on the same machine.

[Jyandalf]

Originally posted by Amadeus:

Dedicated Server for ASA
(to make and host your own Unofficial Dedicated Server, not using a hosting service)
First get the Dedicated Server files.

In the upper left corner of your steam library, under the Home, there is Games, Software, (dropdown filter), click it and check the box for Tools.
Now you will see ASA Dedicated Server show up on your list, download and install it. This is better and easier than using steamcmd, and it'll automatically update.

Now make a batch file, similar to Ark Survival Evolved, and put it in the same directory as the executable for the server or point it at its location in the batch file. The server files are located in SteamLibrary/Steamapps/Common/Ark Survival Ascended Dedicated Server/Shootergame/Binaries/Win64

Your batch file will run ArkAscendedServer and relevant config such as server name, password, ports, see guides for setting up Ark Survival Evolved for more info if needed.

I will test this after work on the weekend, but hope that It works so I only have to be on nitrado for a month at most

[Amadeus]

my instructions don't include steamcmd though

[Amadeus]

and folks are mistaken about the steamcmd issue, I've had it happen too and thought the same, it isn't an acct issue, it is when you login not anonymously, when you exit , it logs you out of steam on that computer and then nothing works. Just reboot and it's fine.

[thebluepriest]

This was user error, nvm

[Ages]

So... this is really a thing?
You don't have to go through nitrado, you could just rent a barebones and spin up ark servers manually?

Edit: really wish MS would sell reduced cost Windows VM licenses, or like a full price license but you could spin up 10 vms or so as long as it's on the same physical machine.
Would be sweet.

[Rags]

Originally posted by Ages:

So... this is really a thing?
You don't have to go through nitrado, you could just rent a barebones and spin up ark servers manually?

It is abnormal to be limited to a hosting service. I have hosted dedicated servers for many games for many years on server hardware at my house separate from my gaming computer.

[Melarian]

I tried that command line on my server, not where my game client is installed, and got the following error:

You'll need a new app to open this steam link

[ace_mon0 (REAPERS)]

I have 4 computers on the same network and running the server and my game off the same account on the same PC. I'm just trying to figure out how to change some player and dino leveling scale. also trying to make the game unlock engrams at level up. Not by using engram points. other then that i got 3 people playing together and i'm using the same pc that the server is running on.

[gwSenpaiAU]

curious, how much RAM does the server use? from what I've seen 20gb is a minimal when using hosting, is this any better?

[Kasperbjerby]

Originally posted by gwSenpaiAU:

curious, how much RAM does the server use? from what I've seen 20gb is a minimal when using hosting, is this any better?

It will gladly eat 16 gb