ARK: Survival Evolved offers a vast and immersive online multiplayer experience, and for players seeking a more controlled and intimate gameplay environment, private servers are the perfect solution. Whether you’re looking to play with a select group of friends, customize your game rules extensively, or simply avoid the hustle and bustle of public servers, understanding how to join and play on a private ARK server is essential. This guide will walk you through the key aspects of playing ARK on a private server, ensuring you’re well-equipped to start your personalized survival adventure.
Understanding Private Servers in ARK: Evolved
Private servers in ARK: Survival Evolved offer a distinct advantage: exclusivity. Unlike public servers that are open to anyone, private servers restrict access, allowing only invited players to join. This exclusivity fosters a closer-knit community and provides greater control over the game environment. Private servers can be further categorized into two main types: non-dedicated and dedicated servers, each with its own set of characteristics and requirements.
Non-Dedicated Servers: Hosting with Friends
Non-dedicated servers are a simpler way to play privately, ideal for smaller groups of friends. When you host a non-dedicated server in ARK, your game client acts as both the server and the player client. This means that the host player is tethered to the server’s operation.
Key points about non-dedicated servers:
- Host Dependency: The server exists only as long as the host player is actively playing the game and connected to the internet. If the host disconnects, turns off their machine, or exits the game, the server shuts down for everyone.
- Internet Requirement: Even if all players are in the same physical location, an active internet connection is mandatory for the host machine and all joining clients. ARK does not support LAN-only non-dedicated sessions.
- Limited Privacy Options: While you can set a password and make the session “private” to hide it from server lists, joining often relies on direct invites or knowing the host.
Dedicated Servers: Persistent and Independent
Dedicated servers, on the other hand, are standalone servers that run independently of a player’s game client. These servers are designed for larger communities and offer persistent game worlds that exist even when no players are online.
Key features of dedicated servers:
- Persistence: Dedicated servers run constantly, maintaining the game world and its progression regardless of player presence. This means the game world evolves and continues even when you are offline.
- Independent Operation: Dedicated servers do not require a player to be actively playing the game for the server to remain online. They run as a separate application.
- Greater Customization and Control: Dedicated servers typically offer more extensive configuration options, allowing administrators to fine-tune game rules, mods, and server settings.
- Accessibility: Players can join and leave dedicated servers at any time without affecting the server’s operation, similar to official ARK servers.
How to Join a Private Non-Dedicated Server
If you are invited to play on a friend’s non-dedicated server, here’s how to connect:
- Ensure the Host is Online: Confirm with your friend that they are currently hosting the non-dedicated session and have ARK running.
- In-Game Server Browser: Launch ARK: Survival Evolved and navigate to the “Join ARK” section from the main menu.
- Filter for Unofficial Servers: In the server browser, make sure you are viewing “Unofficial” servers, as non-dedicated servers fall under this category.
- Find Your Friend’s Server:
- Server Name: If you know the server name, you can search for it directly using the search bar.
- Friend List (Platform Dependent): Some platforms may allow you to see servers hosted by friends directly through the game’s friend list interface.
- Direct IP and Port (Less Common for Non-Dedicated): While less common for non-dedicated sessions, if your friend has provided an IP address and port, you can use the “Join via IP” option (usually found at the bottom left of the server browser).
- Password (If Applicable): If the server is password-protected, you will be prompted to enter the password provided by the host.
- Join the Server: Once you locate the server, select it and click “Join”.
Private Game Settings for Non-Dedicated Sessions
When hosting a non-dedicated session, you have options to enhance privacy:
- Session Name and Password: Setting a unique session name makes it easier for your friends to find. A password adds a layer of security, ensuring only those with the password can join.
- Private Game Checkbox: Enabling the “Private Game” option hides your server from the general unofficial server list. This means players can only join if they are directly invited or know specific connection details. However, for non-dedicated servers, direct IP connection is not always straightforward or reliably used. Typically, relying on server name search or friend invites within the game is more common even when “Private Game” is checked.
Conclusion
Playing ARK: Survival Evolved on a private server offers a customized and controlled multiplayer experience. Understanding the differences between non-dedicated and dedicated servers, and knowing how to join a private session, is crucial for enjoying ARK with your chosen group. Whether you opt for the simplicity of a non-dedicated server for a small group of friends or explore dedicated server options for a persistent world, private servers provide a fantastic way to tailor your ARK adventure.
