Ark is a unique and captivating game set in a primal and prehistoric world that allows players to explore with and tame dinosaurs, build bases, and form tribes of their own.
This post will explore the benefits of Ark: Survival Evolved server hosting, the advantages of having your private server, as well as some methods for server hosting and their pros and cons.
Benefits of Hosting an Ark Server
Hosting your own Ark Survival Evolved server allows you numerous benefits that enhance your gameplay experience via server customisation. Here are some key advantages:
- Full Customization: You can adjust the health modifiers, adjust the resource spawn rates and yields, change taming speeds, and install server side mods to introduce new gameplay aspects.
- Enhanced Player Experience: By customizing the game settings, you can create your own biome that is more enjoyable and suited to your playstyle.
You can choose whether you would like a more hardcore survival or relaxed, tame experience. With hosting your own server, you create the rules.
- Increased Server Stability: Public servers can often suffer with lag spikes, high latency and downtime due to high traffic and backlog of maintenance.
When you host your own server, you can ensure it is well-maintained, regularly updated, and optimized for the best performance, resulting in a smoother and more reliable gaming experience for you and your players.
Advantages of a Private Server
There are some topics that we will discuss below that come with private Ark server hosting and its distinct advantages over playing on public servers.
- Secure Environment: A private server provides a controlled and secure environment where you and your friends can play without the disruptions and toxicity often found on public servers.
- Customized Gameplay: With a private server, you will be able to introduce new mods, plugins and game modes such as co-op or Player vs Player, giving you the freedom to adjust the game how you or your group would like.
- Avoiding Griefers and Toxic Players: When joining a Public server, you can run into players who will grief you and can also be disruptive and toxic towards you, making the overall experience awful.
On a private server, you create the rules and can enforce them when necessary ensuring a safe environment for players who join the server.
Hosting Methods
We will now discuss the three most common methods for hosting an Ark server as well as their advantages and challenges that they may present.
These hosting methods are available to most games other than Ark, like Rust and Minecraft. The methods available for such games can include free server hosting in the case of Minecraft, for instance.
Self-Hosting
Self-hosting involves you running the server software on a computer you own. This method allows you to fully control the server with no additional costs to you than the computer itself and the power you use.
Pros
- Full Control: You have complete control as it is your computer hardware and internet connection being used to configure the server.
- Customizable Hardware: Your server computer can be upgraded or replaced with other components as and when you need more resources for your server.
Cons
- Technical Knowledge Required: You will need to read up on, or have previous knowledge on how to set up the server and run the software.
- Performance Limitations: The only limitations are the internet connection and hardware components that your server runs on, which can be replaced, but will require downtime.
- Potential Downtime: If your computer is cut from power or shuts off due to errors, your server will be offline for that time.
Solutions
- Performance Optimization: In order to have the best performance on your server, one can reduce the load on the server by limiting the active player number and adjust or reduce the render distance.
- Security Measures: It is always a good idea to create a firewall and a password for your server in order to protect your server. Another good practice is to backup your server to ensure it is protected.
Dedicated Server Hosting
Hosting a server with help from a hosting provider involves renting a server from said provider. Along with the server hosting service, the Host provider offers their hardware and support that ensures server stability as for a reliable experience while gaming.
Pros
- Reliable Performance: Your Hosting provider hosts your server on hardware of their own with a stable internet connection to make sure there are no hiccups in your gameplay.
- Technical Support: Technical support is a standard for most providers that will assist in the setup and maintenance of your server.
- Easy Scalability: When your server grows in size, you will be able to easily upgrade your server’s resources with the packages available from your host provider.
Cons
- Less Control Over Hardware: You do not own the hardware and will not be able to control or replace the hardware your server runs on.
- Dependency on Provider: Your server performance will be reflected by the host provider’s server hardware and infrastructure.
Solutions
- Choose a Reputable Provider: It is best to choose a Host provider with good reviews that also has a reliable track record that will be able to provide the server specifications needed to run your game.
- Understand SLAs: To understand your Host provider’s server uptime guarantees and level of service, it would be best to read through the Service Level Agreement to understand the Host provider’s policies.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting uses computing platforms synced to the cloud in order to host your Ark server. This method offers flexibility and scalability for what your server specifically needs at any given time.
Pros
- Scalability: Based on the requirements of your server you will be able to scale up, or down, the resources allocated to your server.
- Global Accessibility: Cloud servers can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, available to players from anywhere they are able to log in from.
Cons
- Learning Curve: A Cloud server is pretty technical to set up, which can initially be complex if you do not have the prior knowledge.
Solutions
- Step-by-Step Setup Instructions: Use detailed guides and tutorials to set up your cloud server correctly.
- Built-In Security Features: Leverage the security features provided by cloud platforms, such as firewalls and encryption.
Conclusion
Hosting your own server or renting a private server allows you to customize the game environment for you and your Tribe.
By exploring the various hosting methods as mentioned above, choose the option that best suits your server needs.
While issues may arise when your server is hosted, these can be effectively managed with the right strategies and resources as mentioned above.
In a Tribe, communication enhances teamwork and builds a strong sense of community once projects are completed with your friends.
You can have control over your own server, offering server flexibility and a space for people to build and adventure together. Therefore, gather those in your Tribe and take on the challenges in Ark together.