ARK: Survival Evolved Server¶

In this article

• ARK: Survival Evolved. Main Features
• Deployment Features
• Server File Structure
• Getting Started After ARK: Survival Evolve Server Deployment
• Account and Game Server Management
• Changing Server Parameters
• Ordering a ARK: Survival Evolved Server Using API

ARK: Survival Evolved. Main Features¶

• Customizable Gameplay: More than 100 settings for fine-tuning all aspects of the game;
• Modifications and Maps: Support for Steam Workshop mods and official DLC maps;
• Administration: Tools for managing player access and accounts, including RCON access;
• Cross-platform Play: Supports access from PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and mobile devices (with proper configuration);
• Clan Management: Built-in tools for creating tribes and managing territories;
• PvE and PvP Modes: Ability to configure game modes - cooperation or battles between players.

Deployment Features¶

Users and Directories

• User: steam (UID:1000, GID:1000);
• Home Directory: /home/steam;
• SteamCMD Directory: /home/steam/steamcmd;
• ARK Server Directory: /home/steam/ARK;
• Logs: /home/steam/ARK/ShooterGame/Saved/Logs/;
• Start Script: /home/steam/ARK/ark_server_start.sh.

System Services

• Systemd Service: /etc/systemd/system/ark.service;
• Auto-start: Enabled (added to multi-user.target).

Network Settings

• Main Game Port: 7777/udp;
• Additional Port: 7778/udp;
• Query Port: 27015/udp;
• RCON Port: 32330 (enabled).

Server File Structure¶

The main components of the server are located in the /home/steam/ARK directory:

/home/steam/ARK/
├── ark_server_start.sh         # Server start script
└── ShooterGame/                # Main game directory
    ├── Binaries/               # Executable files
    │   └── Linux/              # Binary files for Linux
    │       └── ShooterGameServer  # Main server executable file
    ├── Content/                # Game content
    │   ├── Mods/               # Installed modifications
    │   │   ├── 111111111/      # Example installed modification
    │   │   └── Ragnarok/       # Ragnarok map
    │   └── PrimalEarth/        # Base game content
    └── ...

Getting Started After ARK: Survival Evolve Server Deployment¶

After purchasing an order, you will receive a notification about your server's readiness at the email address provided during registration. It will include the VPS IP address and login credentials for connection. Our company's clients manage equipment through the server control panel and API — Invapi.

Authentication data, which can be found in the Info >> Tags tab of the server control panel or in the email sent:

• Login and Password for SSH access to the server: sent by email upon server readiness after deployment.
• Server Name: "My ARK Server"
• Server Password: TestPass123! (default password)
• Administrator Password: TestPass123! (default password)
• Maximum Number of Players: 70
• The server runs as a non-privileged user steam;
• Only necessary UDP ports are open: 7777, 7778, 27015, 32330.

Summary of Used Ports

Account and Game Server Management¶

Connecting to the Player Server

• IP Address: Server IP address;
• Port: 7777;
• Password: TestPass123!;
• Name: My ARK Server;

Connecting to the Administrator Server

• RCON Port: 32330;
• Administrator Password: TestPass123!;
• Connection Utility: rcon.

rcon -P 32330 -p TestPass123!

Current Status

The server is set up for automatic start at system boot. The status can be checked with the command:

systemctl status ark

Service Management

Start Server:

systemctl start ark

systemctl stop ark

systemctl restart ark

systemctl disable ark

systemctl enable ark

Changing Server Parameters¶

Method 1: Through the Configuration File The main server parameters are stored in the file:

/home/steam/ARK/ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini

To change passwords, edit the following settings:

[ServerSettings]
ServerPassword='New Player Password'
ServerAdminPassword='New Admin Password'
ServerName='New Server Name'

Method 2: Through the Start Script¶

Edit the server start script:

nano /home/steam/ARK/ark_server_start.sh

Find the line with parameters and change it:

...SessionName="My ARK Server"?ServerPassword="NewPlayerPass"?ServerAdminPassword="NewAdminPass"...

Changing the Server Map¶

The map can be changed in the configuration file:

/home/steam/ARK/ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini

Find and change the parameter:

[ServerSettings]
MapName='New_Map'

Or change it in the start script:

ShooterGameServer "TheIsland"?listen...

Applying Changes¶

After making any changes, you need to restart the server:

sudo systemctl restart ark

Ordering a ARK: Survival Evolved Server Using API¶

To install this software using the API, follow these instructions.

Some of the content on this page was created or translated using AI.