Setting Up Your Dedicated ARK Server on PlayStation 4: A Comprehensive Guide

Hello Survivors!

Are you looking to take your ARK: Survival Evolved experience to the next level? Hosting your own dedicated server on PlayStation 4 offers unparalleled control and customization, allowing you and your friends to explore the ARK in your own way, 24/7. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of setting up your Dedicated Ark Server, from hardware requirements to network configurations and server management. Whether you’re a seasoned ARK veteran or new to server hosting, this tutorial provides all the essential information to get your server up and running smoothly.

Understanding the Essentials for Your Dedicated ARK Server

Before diving into the setup process, let’s clarify what you’ll need to run a dedicated ARK server on your PS4. A dedicated server requires a separate PlayStation 4 console that will exclusively run the server software. This means you’ll need a minimum of two PS4 consoles: one for playing the game and another to act as the server host.

Here’s a breakdown of the hardware and software prerequisites:

Two PlayStation 4 Consoles: One console to play ARK: Survival Evolved and a second console to function solely as your dedicated ARK server. While a PS4 Pro isn’t mandatory for the server, any standard PS4 will suffice.
Two Copies of ARK: Survival Evolved: You’ll need to purchase ARK: Survival Evolved for both your gaming console and the server console.
Two PlayStation Network Accounts: You’ll require two separate PSN accounts. One will be your primary gaming account, and the other will be dedicated to running the server.
PlayStation Plus Subscription: A PlayStation Plus subscription is necessary for the server account to host a dedicated ARK server.
Stable Internet Connection: A reliable and stable internet connection is crucial for hosting a smooth and lag-free server experience. While specific bandwidth requirements may vary based on player count, a stable connection is paramount.
Network Setup (Router/Modem): Understanding your network setup, including your router and modem configuration, is essential for port forwarding and ensuring your server is accessible.

Network Configuration for Your Dedicated ARK Server

Setting up your network correctly is vital for ensuring your dedicated ARK server is discoverable and accessible to players. Here’s how to configure your network settings, considering both NAT Type 2 and NAT Type 1 scenarios:

NAT Type 2 Network Settings (Recommended for most home networks)

If your server PS4 is behind a router and has NAT Type 2, follow these steps:

Static IP Address: Assign a static IP address to your server PS4. This ensures that the IP address of your server remains constant, which is crucial for port forwarding. You can usually configure this in your PS4’s network settings or through your router’s DHCP reservation settings.
DNS Servers: Use the DNS servers provided by your internet service provider (ISP). While Google DNS servers are often recommended, ISP DNS servers may offer better stability in some cases for PS4 server hosting.
DMZ (Demilitarized Zone): Place your server PS4 in the DMZ of your router. This effectively opens all ports for the server console, simplifying port forwarding. Refer to your router’s manual for instructions on setting up DMZ.
Port Forwarding (Alternative to DMZ): If you prefer not to use DMZ, you can manually forward the following ports to the static IP address of your server PS4. Forwarding ensures that incoming traffic on these ports is directed to your server.
- UDP: 7777
- UDP: 7778
- TCP: 80
- TCP: 443
- TCP: 1935
- TCP/UDP: 3478
- TCP/UDP: 27015
- TCP/UDP: 27016
- TCP: 3480
- UDP: 3479

NAT Type 1 Network Settings (Direct Modem Connection)

If your server PS4 is directly connected to your modem and has NAT Type 1, the network configuration is simpler:

Dynamic IP Address (or Static): You can allow your server PS4 to obtain an IP address dynamically from your modem. Alternatively, you can still assign a static IP.
No Port Forwarding or DMZ: With NAT Type 1, port forwarding and DMZ are generally unnecessary as your console is directly exposed to the internet.

Setting Up Your Dedicated ARK Server on PS4: Step-by-Step

Now that your network is configured, let’s proceed with setting up the dedicated ARK server software on your server PS4:

Launch ARK: Survival Evolved on the Server PS4: Sign in to the PSN account dedicated to your server and launch ARK: Survival Evolved.
Join a Non-Passworded Dedicated Server: Navigate to the server browser and join any non-password protected dedicated server. This is a temporary step to initialize your character profile on the server account.
Create a Character and Exit to Main Menu: Create a character on the server you joined. Wait until you are fully loaded into the game world, and then exit back to the ARK main menu.
Start Your Dedicated Server: From the main menu, select “Host/Local,” then choose “Dedicated Server.” Configure your server settings to your preferences. This includes server name, password (if desired), game mode, map selection (The Island, The Center, Scorched Earth, etc.), and various gameplay settings like difficulty, multipliers, and engrams.
Pray to the 7 Gods (Optional but Recommended): Server hosting can sometimes be unpredictable, so a little bit of hope never hurts!

Finding and Joining Your Dedicated ARK Server

Once your dedicated ARK server is running, you and your players will need to know how to find and join it. The in-game server browser can be unreliable, so here are the most effective methods:

Method 1: Direct Join via PSN Friend Invites (Recommended for Private Servers)

This method is the most reliable, especially for private servers with a consistent player base:

Friend the Server PSN Account: Have all your players add the PSN account running the server to their PlayStation Network friends list.
Create a PSN Message Group (Optional): Creating a PSN message group with all your players facilitates communication and server announcements.
Send Game Invites After Server Start/Restart: Whenever you start or restart your server, send game invites to all players in your PSN message group or individually.
Players Join via PSN Quick Menu: Players can join your server by:
- Starting ARK: Survival Evolved and reaching the main menu.
- Holding the PS button to open the Quick Menu.
- Selecting “Ark: Survival Evolved” from the Quick Menu.
- Choosing “Other Sessions.”
- Finding the server PSN account’s session in the list.
- Selecting “Join.”

Method 2: Server Browser (Less Reliable, but Still an Option)

If you prefer using the in-game server browser:

Filter Settings: In the server browser, select “Player Dedicated ARKs,” and if your server is password protected, check “Show Password Protected.” Ensure the session filter is set to the appropriate game mode (e.g., PVP or PVE).
Refresh Server List: The server list can be slow and inconsistent. If you don’t see your server immediately, restart your game and refresh the server list. The server list often changes upon game restart, so keep trying until your server appears.
Avoid Bookmarking: Bookmarking servers in ARK is not reliable and may not work as expected.

Admin Commands for Your Dedicated ARK Server

To effectively manage your dedicated ARK server, you’ll need to utilize admin commands. Here’s how to enable and use them:

Add Admin Players: Admin commands cannot be used directly from the server PSN account. You need to designate player accounts as administrators. To do this:
- In-game on your server, access the player list.
- Select the player you want to make an admin.
- Choose the “Add Admin” option.
- The player will appear in the “Administrator Players” list.
Restart Game for Admin Access: The designated admin player needs to restart their ARK: Survival Evolved game for admin privileges to activate.
Access Admin Command Bar: Once in-game as an admin, press the Options button. An “Admin Command” button will appear at the top of the screen.
Enter Admin Commands: Click the “Admin Command” button and enter your desired commands. For example, admincheat destroywilddinos (without quotes) will wipe wild dinosaurs. Refer to ARK admin command lists online for a comprehensive list of commands.

Server Maps and Save Files

Your dedicated ARK server will create separate save files for each map you host. This means:

Map-Specific Saves: When you start a server on “The Island,” a save file is created for The Island. If you then switch to “The Center” and start a server there, a new save file is created for The Center, and so on.
Switching Maps: You can switch between maps, and your server will load the corresponding save file for that map, preserving player progress and server state for each map.

Player Capacity and Performance

The standard PS4 can handle a reasonable number of players on a dedicated ARK server, but performance will depend on various factors, including your internet bandwidth and server settings.

Estimated Player Limit: Based on experience, a standard PS4 can comfortably host around 15-20 players without significant lag, given a good internet connection. Exceeding this may lead to performance issues, especially with a limited bandwidth connection.
Bandwidth Considerations: Server performance and lag are directly related to bandwidth. Ensure you have sufficient upload bandwidth from your internet service provider to support your desired player capacity.

Conclusion

Setting up a dedicated ARK server on PlayStation 4 offers a fantastic way to customize your ARK experience and play with friends on your own terms. By following this comprehensive guide, you can navigate the setup process, configure your network, manage your server, and ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for yourself and your community. Happy surviving!