How to Set Up an ARK: Survival Ascended Server on a VPS

ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA) is the most resource-hungry mainstream survival game you can self-host, and its dedicated server has one quirk that catches people out: there is no native Linux build — only a Windows one. This guide shows you how to run ASA on a Linux VPS via Proton, plus the specs, ports, and service setup you need.

Before you start: the specs reality

ASA runs on Unreal Engine 5 and is genuinely demanding. Undersize it and it simply won't start.

• RAM: 16 GB minimum for a single map, 32 GB+ recommended for a busy server or clusters. See ARK: Survival Ascended server requirements.
• CPU: 4+ modern cores with strong single-thread performance.
• Storage: 60 GB+ on NVMe — the install alone is large.

Step 1: Create a user and install dependencies

sudo adduser --disabled-password --gecos "" ark
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y lib32gcc-s1 steamcmd

Step 2: Download the Windows server via SteamCMD

Because ASA's server (App ID 2430930) is Windows-only, tell SteamCMD to fetch the Windows files even on Linux:

sudo su - ark
steamcmd +@sSteamCmdForcePlatformType windows \
  +force_install_dir /home/ark/server \
  +login anonymous +app_update 2430930 validate +quit

{{SCREENSHOT}}

Step 3: Install Proton (GE-Proton) to run the Windows binary

On Linux, the Windows ArkAscendedServer.exe runs under Proton. Install GE-Proton into a compatibility directory. Many admins use a helper script, but the core idea is that you launch the .exe through Proton's runtime. If this is more fiddling than you want, a Windows VPS runs the .exe directly with no compatibility layer — a legitimate choice for ASA specifically.

Step 4: Open the firewall

ASA uses UDP 7777 for game traffic (and historically a query port):

sudo ufw allow 7777/udp
sudo ufw allow 27015/udp
sudo ufw reload

Open the same ports on your provider firewall.

Step 5: Start command

A typical ASA start line looks like this (run under Proton on Linux, or directly on Windows):

ArkAscendedServer.exe TheIsland_WP?listen?SessionName="My Nxeon ASA Server"?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?ServerPassword=?ServerAdminPassword=CHANGE_ME?MaxPlayers=50 -NoBattlEye -crossplay

Key parts:

• TheIsland_WP — the map. Swap for other official maps (ScorchedEarth_WP, etc.).
• ServerAdminPassword — required for admin commands; always set it.
• MaxPlayers — sized to your hardware.
• -crossplay — allow console and PC players together.

Step 6: Keep it running and updated

Wrap the launch in a systemd service with Restart=on-failure so crashes recover automatically, and update the server whenever ASA patches by re-running the +app_update 2430930 validate command. Automate that with the approach in keeping a SteamCMD server updated automatically. Because ASA is so memory-heavy, scheduled restarts also help keep it healthy.

Mods and backups

ASA uses CurseForge for mods rather than the Steam Workshop. You add mods by listing their CurseForge IDs in the start command's -mods= argument (comma-separated); the server downloads them on launch. Because mods increase memory use, factor them into your RAM budget from ARK: Survival Ascended server requirements.

Your world and player data live in the save directory. ASA saves are precious and updates occasionally shuffle things, so back up before every patch:

# nightly save backup, keep a week
0 4 * * * tar -czf /home/ark/backups/asa-$(date +\%F).tar.gz /home/ark/server/ShooterGame/Saved && find /home/ark/backups -name 'asa-*' -mtime +7 -delete

See how to back up your game server automatically for a fuller routine — with a game this demanding, a reliable backup is worth its weight.

FAQ

Does ARK: Survival Ascended have a Linux server?

No. Only a Windows dedicated server exists. On Linux you run it under Proton (or Wine); alternatively use a Windows VPS to run the .exe directly.

How much RAM does an ASA server need?

16 GB minimum for a single map, 32 GB or more recommended for busy servers or clusters. ASA is the most RAM-hungry mainstream survival game — see the requirements guide.

What ports does an ARK: Survival Ascended server use?

UDP 7777 for game traffic and a query port (commonly 27015). Open both on the OS and provider firewalls.

Can I run an ASA cluster?

Yes — multiple maps sharing character and item transfers. Each additional map needs its own RAM budget (12–18 GB each), so clusters demand serious hardware.

Need 16–32 GB with NVMe and full root for ASA? Compare plans on our pricing page, or start with game server hosting.