What happens when you host a non dedicated server ark? An in-depth guide

Hey friend! As an avid ARK player and server admin myself, I know first-hand both the benefits and challenges of running a non-dedicated server. Here, I‘ll provide an extensive overview of everything you need to know about hosting your own non-dedicated ARK server, the pros and cons, and tips for optimizing performance. Let‘s dive in!

What exactly is a non-dedicated ARK server?

Simply put, a non-dedicated server is one that‘s hosted directly on a player‘s computer, rather than on a separate rented machine. This means that player takes on two roles simultaneously – hosting the server and playing the game client. Resources like CPU, RAM, bandwidth etc. are shared between these two processes.

Some key attributes:

• Free to use: No need to pay for rental fees like a dedicated server. You use your own machine.
• Persistent world: Game progresses even when no one else is online.
• Drop-in gameplay: Friends can join your world and seamlessly drop in/out.
• Shared progression: Non-dedicated uses your single player save file.

Now let‘s compare this to a dedicated server…

How is this different from a dedicated ARK server?

A key contrast is that a dedicated server runs on a separate machine 24/7 in the background, allowing for continuous gameplay regardless of whether the host is online.

Dedicated Server Advantages:

• Higher player slots – supports up to 100+
• Doesn‘t require host to be present
• Improved performance with full resources
• Easier to mod & customize
• Can be hosted anywhere with internet access

Non-Dedicated Advantages:

• Completely free to use your own computer
• Very easy and quick to setup
• Shared progression with single player world

So in summary, dedicated servers are ideal for larger tribes and persistent open worlds, while non-dedicated suits smaller groups of friends gaming casually.

Setting up your own non-dedicated ARK server

The setup process is pleasantly straightforward:

1. From ARK‘s Main Menu, select "Host / Local Play"
2. Choose "Host Non-Dedicated Server"
3. Customize basic settings like Name, Password, Max Players etc.
4. Click Host to start running the server!

Your friends can now find your server under "Join ARK" and search for non-dedicated sessions.

Recommendations for settings:

• Max players: I‘d suggest 4-8 depending on your hardware
• Enable PvE or PvP: Set the experience you want
• Difficulty: Increase beyond 1.0 for a challenge
• XP Multiplier: 2-3x for accelerated progression

Optimizing performance of a non-dedicated server

As the server is hosted on a player‘s machine, performance can be impacted by hardware limitations and internet speeds. Here are some tips to optimize:

• Reduce graphics settings to allocate more resources to running the server smoothly.
• Close other programs to free up RAM and CPU. ARK servers need a lot!
• Port forwarding can resolve connection issues by opening network ports.
• Adjust settings like tether distance to reduce burden.
• Restart frequently to clear memory leaks.

Upgrading your PC hardware like RAM, CPU, and internet connection can also help dramatically.

Limitations to be aware of

While non-dedicated servers offer an accessible option for new players, there are some limitations to consider:

• Max players range from 4-8 depending on host PC specs. Not ideal for large tribes.
• Requires host to be present – server shuts down if host leaves.
• Tethering restriction – non-host players can‘t wander too far from host.
• No mods support without tricky workarounds. Vanilla ARK only.
• No character transfers back to official servers like dedicated servers allow.

So generally, a non-dedicated ARK server works best for small groups who want to casually play together with no major restrictions. For larger scale multiplayer experiences, a dedicated server is better suited.

Contrasting player opinions on non-dedicated servers

Opinions on non-dedicated servers seem to be polarized, with players viewing them either very favorably or very unfavorably. Here‘s a summary of the spectrum of player perspectives:

Positive Opinions

• "It‘s great being able to play single player, then have friends drop in on my world for co-op without any extra cost."

• "Having the host playable means the game stays active even if nobody else is online which is perfect."

• "For just chilling with a few buddies, it‘s a server option that‘s simple, free, and fun."

Negative Opinions

• "The tethering range is far too limiting. I can‘t even explore the full map without getting teleported!"

• "ARK is laggy enough as it is. Combining hosting with playing makes it unplayable. We need a dedicated server."

• "Having to restart anytime the host leaves is ridiculous. This should run continuously like a dedicated server."

• "No mod support really sucks. We wanted to spice up the game with some mods."

So in summary – non-dedicated servers can be great for casual co-op play, but limitations around mods, player count, and performance frustrate players wanting a robust multiplayer experience.

Key Takeaways: Should you use a non-dedicated ARK server?

Here are some closing tips on when to use a non-dedicated vs dedicated server:

• Non-Dedicated – Great for playing single player while allowing 1-8 friends to drop in casually. Free and easy.

• Dedicated – For unrestricted gameplay with mods/settings, high player counts, and persistent worlds. But costs money to rent.

Ultimately, choose what aligns best to your needs and budget. For small friendly co-op, non-dedicated can be a fun option. But large tribes will benefit more from a robust dedicated server instead.

Hope this guide gives you a comprehensive overview of what to expect when hosting your own non-dedicated ARK server. Let me know if you have any other questions! Happy ARKing my friend.