Hows the LAN in this game?

[the noob]

I bought the game few years ago and stopped playing because my PC couldn't handle it at that time. Now i am thinking of coming back and since its on sale i might bring a friend or two to play LAN/coop.

How's the game progression when we play for Coop. Is it like Terraria where everything is stored into the host's database and character is separated with my friend's own client.

Does my friend need the same DLC/expansion as the host?

Can my friend join via steam list friends or do they need my IP? Also, what about LAN. Can people join straight away if i host a Lan server?

Lastly, is there anything i need to know about the game currently? Like issues with current progression, crashes due to latest update or players are now forced to play on dedicated servers.

I'm sorry if this kind of question was answered somewhere, i tried to search for it but came up with only questions about LAN availability.

[Liralen]

Never played Terraria. As a 2d game, it can't compare to Minecraft, much less Ark.

While I've played Ark with 3 other players in my household, I've never used internal IP addresses, since we were also playing with friends outside of our house.

There is no issue with respect to playing Ark on dedicated servers from a hardware perspective. The only problem occurs if the server operator has problems following directions. Unofficial and non-dedicated servers are options, but I would never play on either one.

If your friend does not have the DLC you decided to host, they cannot play on that server. However, if your hardware is sufficient, you can run multiple servers/maps, wherein all players can transfer between, if they have the DLC for that map.

If they don't, run the free maps instead.

[Krash]

1. both parties need the same content to join eachother.

2. Free or paid content you will need the same content (mods included)

3. LAN (local area network) is available and they will need to direct connect to your LAN IP not WAN IP

4. there are lots of modifications to the game that change the base game around so play with what you think is fun.

5. lots of crashes may happen on modded maps mods and other more recent content because it is still being bug fixed. ARK is a buggy game expect bugs and WTF why did I install this. sooo if you can get around that you will have a pretty fun time.

[Grubs]

Originally posted by the noob:

Is it like Terraria where everything is stored into the host's database and character is separated with my friend's own client.

Generally everything is stored on the host, except for things that are "uploaded" at the obelisks (the three massive floating beams). Those things are stored on the client of the player who uploaded them. They can take those things to their single player world

You can choose whether to allow players to go to the obelisk and "Download" their stuff into your world. There is a setting you can change before you start the game session. Look for checkboxes named "No X Downloads", to set that.

Originally posted by the noob:

Does my friend need the same DLC/expansion as the host?

DLC only affects which maps you can visit, and which engrams you can learn. You can play together on any map you both own. You dont have to have all the same DLC. You can also bring most DLC dinos to other maps and they will work.

Originally posted by the noob:

Lastly, is there anything i need to know about the game currently? Like issues with current progression, crashes due to latest update or players are now forced to play on dedicated servers.

If you plan to start a dedicated server, I recommend Ark Server Manager. It is much easier than editing .ini files

[the noob]

Thank you everyone for your answers! Started playing out a bit and my god the settings for servers is not kidding around lol. The game is not clunky like last time i played, its smooth and constant 60+ fps but i still have brief stutter sometimes and thats it.