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How To Create A Private Server In Ark: Survival Ascended

Can you have a private server in ARK: Survival Ascended for free? Here's every server type and how to create them in ASA.
Image of Cande Maldonado
Cande Maldonado
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Published: Oct 26, 2023 02:18 pm

ARK: Survival Ascended has officially been released, but before you can get lost in The Island, you’ll need to join or create a server. If all the official servers are full or you don’t feel like joining a bunch of strangers, here’s how to create a private one.

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Studio Wildcard, the people behind ARK, are in an exclusivity contract with Nitrado, a server hosting service. That means the only way to create a private, non-dedicated service in ARK: Survival Ascended is through them. Does that mean you can’t self-host in any other way using your own hardware? Let’s explore how all server types can be created in ARK: Survival Ascended.

All ARK: Survival Ascended Server Types

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These are all the server types you can play in ARK: Survival Ascended:

  • Single-Player Server: The single-player server lets you play on your own, which is perfect for getting the ropes of the game or when you just want some alone time with your dinos.
  • Non-Dedicated, Private Server: A multiplayer server you can create with your Steam account to play with friends. This one has some limitations, like only allowing one server per account and having it be password-locked.
  • Dedicated Private Server: A server created for a community with a relatively medium-to-big playerbase. This type of server has to be rented monthly through Nitrado.
  • Official Server: A multiplayer server created by the official game devs.

Related: What Order To Complete Maps In ARK: Survival Ascended

How to Create A Private Server in Ark: Survival Ascended

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The proper way to create a private dedicated server in Ark: Survival Ascended is through Nitrado.

However, if you’re just trying to host a multiplayer game with friends, follow these steps to create a non-dedicated, private server:

  1. Select the option Resume or Create Game from the Title Screen.
  2. After selecting the map, choose “Non-dedicated” as the type of game to create in the bottom right corner.
  3. Set up a name and password for the private server in ARK: Survival Ascended.
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Author
Image of Cande Maldonado
Cande Maldonado
Though Cande started her journey in the video game industry as a localization specialist six years ago, she soon realized that her true calling was to annoy NPCS, smash virtual pottery, and complete every side quest available in RPGs. Throwing that useless degree out of the window, she has been writing professionally for the past three years ever since. Her passion for games dates to 2006, when she mounted a Chocobo for the first time. Under Nintendo and Square Enix's chokehold, she will willingly pour hours upon hours into reaching 100% completion in the longest roleplaying games ever made. But hey, who needs fresh air and sunlight when you can just live in Ivalice?