LAN is about having fun with friends, not grinding for 14 hours to tame a Giga. These multipliers respect your time while keeping the challenge alive.
A command window will open to run the server. You may need to use the Steam Community guide to configure it for LAN-only use.
If you are hosting the dedicated server and playing on the same PC, the server will run in the background while you play on your client. You can connect to your own server by using the localhost IP address 127.0.0.1:27015 in the favorites list.
For a better experience without tethering, you can run a on one PC and join it from others. This requires a more powerful host machine.
One console hosts the session using the Host Non-Dedicated Multiplayer Session option. Other consoles on the same Wi-Fi network can find the game under the Friends or Non-Dedicated Sessions filter. how to play lan ark survival evolved exclusive
ARK: Survival Evolved exclusively via a Local Area Network (LAN) is a great way to enjoy low-latency gameplay with friends without relying on external servers . You can set this up either as a Non-Dedicated Session for quick play or a Dedicated Server for a more permanent, high-performance world. Quick Comparison: LAN Options Non-Dedicated Session Dedicated Server 2–4 players in the same room. Large groups or permanent worlds. Fast setup; uses your existing save. No "tether" distance; better performance. Players must stay near the host (tether). Requires a separate PC for best results. Method 1: The Fast Route (Non-Dedicated Session)
Unlike Official servers that save every 15 minutes, your LAN server saves when you type saveworld in the console (press Tab on the server host). In the batch file, add -AutoSavePeriodMinutes=5 to ensure you don't lose progress if the power flickers.
| Step | Action | | :--- | :--- | | | 1. Download and install ARK Server Manager from a trusted source. 2. Launch ASM. It will automatically prompt you to set a Server Installation Directory (where the server files will live) and a Backup Location . 3. Click the big Install button to let ASM download the latest dedicated server files from Steam via SteamCMD. This will take some time. | | Step 2: Initial Configuration | 1. Click the + (plus) icon in the top-left corner to create your first server profile. 2. Navigate to the General tab. Here you set the Server Name (make it unique so you can find it), Password , Map , and any Mod IDs (from the Steam Workshop) you wish to use. | | Step 3: Network & Ports | 1. Go to the Network tab. For a LAN-only server , the default ports are usually fine. You can ignore any "Port Forwarding" options, as those are for making the server public online. 2. Ensure that your Windows Firewall allows the ShooterGameServer.exe through. ASM often handles this for you automatically. | | Step 4: Advanced Rules | 1. Explore the Settings tab. This is where you can fine-tune every game rule: Taming Speed, XP Multiplier, Harvest Amount, Day/Night Cycle , difficulty offset, and much more. 2. You can save different "Settings Presets" for different types of games (e.g., a "Hardcore PvP" or a "Casual Builder" preset). | | Step 5: Launch and Connect | 1. Click the large Start button on the toolbar. The console window will pop up and show the server as it loads. Wait for it to finish initializing, which can take several minutes. 2. Launch ARK on any other PC on your network, go to Join ARK , and filter the session list by LAN or Unofficial . Your server should appear. If not, use Steam's server browser by going to View > Game Servers > Favorites > Add A Server and entering your host machine's local IP address . |
You must accept the limitations of true exclusive LAN play: LAN is about having fun with friends, not
Double-check that your antivirus software or third-party firewalls are completely disabling traffic on ports 7777 and 27015.
To join, other players should change their to LAN in the server browser. Troubleshooting Connection Issues If your local friends can't see the server: How to Join an ARK: Survival Evolved Server
Yes, absolutely. While the initial 15-minute setup is more complex than clicking "Host Non-Dedicated," the reward is a persistent, tether-free, zero-lag dinosaur paradise that survives the apocalypse of your internet bill going unpaid.
ShooterGameServer.exe "TheIsland?listen?MultiHome=121.0.0.1?SessionName=MyExclusiveLAN?QueryPort=27015?Port=7777?MaxPlayers=10?bRawSockets" -NoBattlEye -lanplay -PublicIPForSubnet Use code with caution. Key Parameters Explained: You may need to use the Steam Community
Click , enter a session name and password, and launch the map. Join the Game: Other players should select Join ARK from the main menu.
Non-Dedicated: Quickest setup, but players are bound to the host by a distance tether.
Ark: Survival Evolved is a popular survival game that challenges players to survive on a mysterious island filled with ancient creatures, resources, and ruins. One of the most exciting features of the game is the ability to play with friends in a local area network (LAN) environment, allowing for seamless co-op gameplay. In this article, we will guide you on how to play LAN Ark Survival Evolved exclusive, ensuring that you and your friends can enjoy a smooth and exciting gaming experience.
Enter the holy grail of co-op survival: Playing ARK exclusively over LAN allows you and your friends (housemates, family, or LAN party attendees) to experience the entire 150+ GB of dinosaur-taming, boss-fighting, base-building chaos without an internet connection to the outside world.
: While tethering is a core limitation of non-dedicated sessions, advanced users can attempt to mitigate it. After hosting a session, navigate to the GameUserSettings.ini file in your saved config folder. Under the [ServerSettings] section, you can manually add or modify the value of ListenServerTetherDistanceMultiplier . Setting this to an extremely high number can increase the tether range. However, it's important to note that this does not eliminate the tether entirely. A true, no-tether experience still requires a dedicated server.
Here’s a concise, step-by-step guide on .