Create server with friend

[....]

Anyone know how to create a server to play with friend
Thanks!

[🦊 Hermit]

You could run a non-dedicated session (basically a single player game but with others able to join) from within the game if you wish. However that is often not recommended because that mode tends to be a little bit more buggy than a dedicated server.

If you're looking to set up a dedicated server, check this guide here - it's the one I used when learning how to host servers for my friends, and it gave me all the info I needed:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=656433788

Just make sure that if you host the server on a local machine which is also playing the client, you have enough computer resources to run it. 16GB RAM minimum, and a decent processor/GPU.

Additionally, make sure you and your friend are on the correct platforms, as not all platforms can crossplay with each other.

*) Steam can crossplay with Epic Games, but only on a dedicated server without mods and where the crossplay config is activated.

*) Xbox can crossplay with the Windows Store version.

*) Playstatiion, Switch etc. versions cannot crossplay with any other version.

[Liralen]

If you want the for dummies version, we used Ark Server Manager, which is a free download. The hardest part is setting up your router. This video does a good job of explaining it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MqYGXmbrrA

As Hermit noted, you can run a non-dedicated server, which is basically the same as letting your friend join your single player game. It's pretty much crippled compared to running a dedicated server. Your friend can only play when you play and is tethered to you. It had some issues with resources respawning, but perhaps that's been fixed now.

[Mathius]

Originally posted by Liralen:

If you want the for dummies version, we used Ark Server Manager, which is a free download. The hardest part is setting up your router. This video does a good job of explaining it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MqYGXmbrrA

As Hermit noted, you can run a non-dedicated server, which is basically the same as letting your friend join your single player game. It's pretty much crippled compared to running a dedicated server. Your friend can only play when you play and is tethered to you. It had some issues with resources respawning, but perhaps that's been fixed now.

Twitchy's videos are great.

I would also recommend MrBazibaz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbqbiKevnCE

Both have discord's. I think Twitchy's videos are a bit more up-to-date.

There's a discord for Ark Server Manager, but they're not very helpful. Basically the dev has a bunch of admins on an ego trip running interference and they just keep telling people to look at the FAQ. If you ask the wrong question you'll lose your permission to post:

https://arkservermanager.freeforums.net/thread/5193/downloads

Once upon a time back in 2021 I had a pretty good relationship with Natclanway and he was pretty helpful, but I stepped away for a few years, and when I came back, immediately got my permissions to post removed when I asked a question, and they pointed to the FAQ. When I pointed out I didn't have permission to search the FAQ channel and wasn't going to manually scroll all the way back through the dischord, they removed my ability to post.

[....]

I also want to simple, i've tried with non-decated server but when my friend try to connect with server, they got time out error, i also get this error when trying to join other non-decated server

[Liralen]

Any server you join, whether dedicated or non-dedicated, must send you the information you need to play on that server.

For example, if it's not a brand new server and both of you have downloaded the map, changes have been made by players that you need to know about.

To help avoid time-out error, make sure you pre-download all the mods that the server has, whether it's dedicated or non-dedicated.

It may take several tries to get all of the information downloaded.

[....]

I created server without mods but i still got error

[🦊 Hermit]

Have you done any port forwarding on your router? Perhaps that is blocking the connection somehow. We can't really advise on how to do that because it depends on what make and model equipment you have, but if you look up the name of your device online you should be able to find some info on how to do it. The ports you would need to open can be found on the game's wiki here:

https://ark.wiki.gg/wiki/Dedicated_server_setup#Network