ark-survival-evolved

Start the server with a specific map

$ [path/to]/ShooterGameServer [TheIsland]

$ [path/to]/ShooterGameServer [TheIsland]?SessionName=[name]?ServerPassword=[pass]?ServerAdminPassword=[admin_pass]

$ [path/to]/ShooterGameServer [TheIsland]?Port=[7777]?MaxPlayers=[1..70]

$ [path/to]/ShooterGameServer [TheIsland]?ServerPVE=true

$ [path/to]/ShooterGameServer [TheIsland]?DifficultyOffset=[1.0]

$ [path/to]/ShooterGameServer [TheIsland] -ActiveEvent=[Summer]

$ [path/to]/ShooterGameServer [TheIsland] -crossplay -PublicIPForEpic=[ip_address]

ShooterGameServer map [?options] [-flags]

ShooterGameServer runs a headless dedicated server for ARK: Survival Evolved, a dinosaur-themed survival game. It allows hosting multiplayer servers with configurable maps, gameplay settings, and mod support.
Server options use URL-style query parameters (joined with ?) for gameplay settings and command-line flags (prefixed with -) for technical configuration.

SessionName=name

Set the server's display name in the server browser

Require a password to join the server

Set the admin password for RCON and in-game admin commands

Enable PvE mode, disabling player versus player combat

Scale difficulty (affects wild creature levels)

Network port for the server

Maximum number of players (1-70)

Enable a specific seasonal event

Enable automatic mod downloading and updating (Steam only)

Enable crossplay between Steam and Epic Games

/ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini

Main server configuration including session name, passwords, ports, rates, and gameplay toggles.

Advanced gameplay overrides including engram points, loot tables, and per-level stat multipliers.

Requires significant system resources (8GB+ RAM recommended). Server files must be installed via SteamCMD. Mods require Steam Workshop integration. Configuration persistence requires editing GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini files.

steamcmd(1), ark-survival-ascended(1)