LinuxCommandLibrary

ark-survival-ascended

Run Ark: Survival Ascended game

TLDR

Start the server with a specific map

$ [path/to]/ArkAscendedServer [TheIsland_WP]
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Start the server with a specific session name, server password, and admin password
$ [path/to]/ArkAscendedServer [TheIsland_WP]?SessionName=[session_name]?ServerPassword=[server_password]?ServerAdminPassword=[admin_password]
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Start the server with a specific port and set a maximum player count
$ [path/to]/ArkAscendedServer [TheIsland_WP] -port=[7777] -WinLiveMaxPlayers=[1..70]
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Enable PvE and disabling PvP
$ [path/to]/ArkAscendedServer [TheIsland_WP]?ServerPVE=true
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Set a multiplier to scale the server difficulty, affecting the maximum level of wild creatures
$ [path/to]/ArkAscendedServer [TheIsland_WP]?DifficultyOffset=[1.0]
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Disable creature animation optimization to prevent collision issues
$ [path/to]/ArkAscendedServer [TheIsland_WP] -AlwaysTickDedicatedSkeletalMeshes
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Enable specific mods by their ID (comma-separated)
$ [path/to]/ArkAscendedServer [TheIsland_WP] -mods=[mod_id1,mod_id2,...]
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Allow connections from specific platforms
$ [path/to]/ArkAscendedServer [TheIsland_WP] -ServerPlatform=[PC+XSX+PS5]
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SYNOPSIS

ark-survival-ascended <MapName>?options [-server] [-log] [-NoBattlEye]

PARAMETERS

?listen
    Enables public server listening (default private)

?SessionName=<name>
    Sets visible server name in browser

?ServerPassword=<pass>
    Password for general players

?ServerAdminPassword=<pass>
    Admin console access password

?Port=<port>
    Game port (default 7777, UDP)

?QueryPort=<port>
    Query port for server lists (default 27015)

?RCONEnabled=True
    Enables RCON remote console

?bRawSockets
    Improves networking performance

-server
    Dedicated server mode (required)

-log
    Writes detailed logs to files

-NoBattlEye
    Disables anti-cheat (for testing)

-UseAllAvailableCores
    Maximizes CPU usage

-sm4
    Forces Shader Model 4 for compatibility

DESCRIPTION

The ark-survival-ascended command starts the dedicated server for ARK: Survival Ascended, a survival game remake built on Unreal Engine 5.

It hosts multiplayer sessions on Linux systems, allowing players to join custom maps with dinosaurs, crafting, and base-building. Users specify a map (e.g., TheIsland) and parameters like session name, passwords, ports, and mods via URL-style query strings.

Ideal for self-hosted servers, it supports crossplay with Windows clients via Proton or native ports. Requires installation of server files from SteamCMD or Epic Games. Run in a dedicated directory with sufficient RAM (16GB+ recommended) and open ports (UDP 7777, 7778, 27015).

Common workflow: Download via SteamCMD, edit GameUserSettings.ini, then execute with map and flags. Logs output to console or files for debugging crashes, connections, or AI issues.

CAVEATS

High resource usage; requires open firewall ports. No native client support—use Proton. Crashes common on low-end hardware. Always backup save files in ShooterGame/Saved.

INSTALLATION

Fetch via SteamCMD: steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir ./ASA +app_update 2430930 validate +quit.

CONFIG FILES

Edit ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini for rates, taming, etc.
Mods via ?GameModIds=12345.

EXAMPLE USAGE

./ark-survival-ascended TheIsland?listen?SessionName=MyServer?ServerPassword=secret -server -log

HISTORY

Introduced with ARK: Survival Ascended early access in October 2023 by Studio Wildcard. Linux server built on Unreal Engine 5.1+, improving on ARK: Survival Evolved's ShooterGameServer. Updates via SteamCMD track game patches.

SEE ALSO

steamcmd(1), screen(1), systemd(1)

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