Requirements

Here’s everything you need before you start. None of it is exotic, and you may already have it all sitting around.

A spare computer

A laptop or desktop you can leave powered on. This becomes your server, so it shouldn’t be the computer you game on day to day.

ARK is a heavy game to host, so aim a little higher than the bare minimum:

• Memory (RAM): the single most important thing. ARK servers are hungry. 16 GB is a comfortable starting point for a small group, and more is better, especially if you run multiple maps.
• Processor (CPU): a reasonably modern multi-core chip from the last several years. Faster cores help ARK more than lots of slow ones.
• Storage: an SSD with at least 50 GB free. ARK and its updates take up a lot of room.

Other games we add later will be lighter, but ARK sets the bar for now.

A wired internet connection

Your server computer needs to be plugged into your router with an ethernet cable. A wired connection keeps your server steady and your friends’ games smooth.

We don’t support running a server over WiFi, so if your spare computer lives far from the router, grab a long cable before you start.

A USB stick

You’ll need a USB stick with at least 8 GB of space to install Ubuntu. Anything on it gets erased during this process, so use a spare or back it up first.

A second computer (helpful, not required)

It’s handy to have your normal computer or phone nearby so you can read these steps while you work on the server machine.

About half an hour

That’s the first-time setup, and a lot of it is just waiting on downloads. Once you’re connected, you manage everything from your dashboard.