How do I make a private server?

[Honor Guard]

preferably without buying one

[Cobretti]

Ark Server Manager will get the job done for a small server;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPgegBYRME4

You might also want to ask if you should run a private server without renting and for that you need to tell us how many people will be playing and machine specs of the server and whether it is also your gaming rig.

[Leslie]

Go to a local computer repair shop (not a large retail chain, they want to sell new stuff).
Buy a decent spec used computer one gen back... about $200.
It should have the specs to run an Ark server.. decent but outdated CPU, 8+ Gigs ram, GPU doesn't really matter.
Buy a router and a couple of ethernet cables ($15) if you don't already have one (please tell me you do have a router between you and the internet...)
Download Steam onto the used computer, then download the free dedicated Ark server.

Play Ark on your present machine with the Ark server on the used one.
(Note: do NOT try to open a second copy of the game itself at the same time you are playing on your other computer... you own one (1) singular license for the game... Steam doesn't like nor tolerate multiple instances of one license running at the same time. They think you're trying to cheat them, and you are!!!. You may have a SERVER running on one and a CLIENT running on the other... but not two clients at the same time. Bad things will happen. You want to do that, next time there is a sale, buy a second copy under another Steam ID)

You now own 2 computers and can play a number of different multiplayer games on a server you own for the price of a 1 year subscription to a rented server.

BUT: and it's a big but, you have to set it up and run it yourself.... see youtube and the Ark guides.

[Yarby67]

You don't need steam on the second computer. You don"t even need to own the game to set up a private server. You can download the server files from steam as and anonymous logon. The Ark Server Manager "how to" will tell you how to do this. I just set up one recently. Leslie is right, just get a good used machine and you will be good to go.

[crimsondrac]

Originally posted by RollinJoker:

You don't need steam on the second computer. You don"t even need to own the game to set up a private server. You can download the server files from steam as and anonymous logon. The Ark Server Manager "how to" will tell you how to do this. I just set up one recently. Leslie is right, just get a good used machine and you will be good to go.

While it can be done this way, that often involves keeping two separate copies of the files on your PC which means you will have to update it twice every time there is a patch and keep two copies of every mod you use. I prefer to use the same files that steam uses as it is already downloaded, gets patched regularly and keeps all the mods in one place. You can certainly use either method without any issues but it is much simpler to maintain everything in one location.

[Cobretti]

Originally posted by RollinJoker:

Leslie is right, just get a good used machine and you will be good to go.

Not enough information to make this statement.

This is why I asked what OP was using the server for.

If creating a private server to play by himself, which many including myself do, running the server on your gaming rig is perfectly fine assuming you are not playing on a potato.

[kaori]

All you need is Ark Server Manager, and config it properly on same pc(no multi key/or account), allows you to connect to it, and other PCs(needs separate game account/serial), if you want to play with friends at home.

http://arkservermanager.freeforums.net/thread/5193/downloads just read that.

Does take forever to load for me on a good pc :( sadly lol. Have to wait abit til it warms up then you can connect. 2-5mins or so.