How to Host an ARK: Survival Evolved Server – Step-by-Step Guide for Survivors
If you’re ready to forge your own path in the wild, hosting your own ARK: Survival Evolved server gives you total control over your survival experience. Whether you’re exploring alone, building with friends, or managing a large tribe, hosting your own server means you decide how the story unfolds.
This guide will walk you through how to host your own ARK: Survival Evolved server and why Citadel Servers is the best choice for reliability, performance, and complete control.
Step 1: Choose a Reliable Hosting Provider
ARK: Survival Evolved is known for its massive worlds and dynamic ecosystems — which makes reliable hosting essential. When selecting your hosting provider, consider:
- Performance: Look for hosts using powerful CPUs and NVMe SSDs to reduce stuttering and improve loading times.
- Network Quality: A strong global network ensures low latency and smooth movement across all regions.
- Ease of Management: A user-friendly control panel helps you configure and manage your world without needing advanced technical skills.
- Support Availability: 24/7 support ensures that help is always there when you need it — even deep in the savannah.
Citadel Servers meets all these requirements with advanced hardware, optimized network routing, and easy server management designed for complex, mod-heavy games like ARK.
Step 2: Order Your Hosting Plan
Once you’ve decided to host with Citadel Servers, getting started is simple:
1. Go to the Ark Survival Evolved hosting page.
2. Choose how many player slots you want.
3. Pick your server location closest to your player base for the best ping.
4. Select any extras, like process priority, premium support, etc.
5. Proceed to checkout — once payment is confirmed, your server deploys automatically.
You’ll receive an email with your control panel login details and connection info within minutes.
Step 3: Configure Your Server
After deployment, it’s time to personalize your world:
- Follow our Quick Start Guide
- Set your server name, admin password, and player permissions.
- Adjust multipliers like XP gain, taming speed, harvest rate, and day/night cycle.
- Configure PvE or PvP settings, tribe rules, and difficulty levels.
- Use the One-Click Mod Manager to install popular ARK mods (like S+ or Stack Mods) instantly.
For deeper customization, upload or edit files directly via FTP/SFTP.
All of this can be done directly in the Citadel Control Panel, designed for both new and experienced players.
Step 4: Launch and Play
When your settings are ready, start your server from the panel and invite your friends.
Players can connect via the in-game server browser or by entering the server’s IP and port.
You can monitor activity, manage users, and restart your world at any time — all through the same web interface.
Why Host with Citadel Servers
Hosting ARK: Survival Evolved with Citadel Servers gives you the power to customize, scale, and manage your survival experience the way you want. Whether you’re building a private base or running a large PvP community, Citadel provides the tools and performance to keep your server running at its best.
What Makes Us Stand Out
Instant Deployment: Your server is ready within minutes after payment — no waiting to go operational.
High-Performance Hardware: Dedicated CPU cores and NVMe SSDs ensure consistent, low-latency gameplay.
Global Data Centers: Choose from multiple worldwide locations to guarantee the best ping for your players.
Full File Access: Customize maps, configs, and server settings directly via FTP/SFTP for complete control.
One-Click Mod Manager: Install or update community maps and mods instantly without technical hassle.
Automated Backups & Restarts: Protect your configurations and keep gameplay running smoothly.
24/7 Expert Support: Our trained staff are always on standby to help with setup, updates, or troubleshooting.
Your ARK deserves a strong, stable foundation and that’s exactly what Citadel Servers delivers: reliability, control, and performance for your prehistoric adventures.
Order Your Ark Survival Evolved Server Now
