Windows Scripts For Installing, Updating & Launching Ark Servers
Ark Dedicated Server Setup For Windows & Linux
Here I have two scripts for use with the Windows dedicatd server. The first one is for use with steamcmd.exe and can be used to both install and update the dedicated server. The second script will launch your dedicated server.
steamcmd.exe
To install and update the dedicated server you need steamcmd.exe. This you should only download directly from the official Valve Developer site.
Here is the link to the download and documentation for steamcmd.exe
Dedicated Server Install & Update Script
There are actually two scripts here that you need to use. The first is a batch file and the second is a script for steamcmd.exe. All the batch file does is allow you to launch steamcmd with the install/update script with a single click.
In the directory where you installed steamcmd.exe make a file called arkinstupdate.bat or call it anything else you want but make sure the .bat is not changed. This is required for the batch file to work.
Once you have created this file, put the following text in it:
steamcmd +runscript ark1.txt
exit
Next create another text file in the same folder. Call it ark1.txt and put the following text in it.
(This is for anonymous, which is best for dedicated servers.)
@ShutdownOnFailedCommand 1
@NoPromptForPassword 1
logon anonymous
force_install_dir C:\arkserver1
app_update 376030 validate
quit
To update or install the dedicated server, just double click arkinstupdate.bat
You can call the bat file anything you like. Be aware that if you do change the name of the file ark1.txt you wil have to change the name of the file in the bat file as well. Otherwise when you run the bat file steamcmd.exe won't find the script.
As for what this does...
The two lines in the bat file do the following. The first line runs steamcmd.exe and tells it to load the script and execute it. The second line tells it to close when it's done.
The lines in the script file for steamcmd.exe do the following...
The first line tells it to stop and close itself it if has an issue. The second line tells it not to ask for a password. The third line logs into Steam via anonymous. Then the next two lines tell it where to install/update the files and tells steamcmd.exe, which to update and install, and requests that it validate its work. The final line closes steamcmd.exe.
If you wish to use your actual steam account information to install this dedicated server you need to put this in the ark1.txt file instead of the above script:
@ShutdownOnFailedCommand 1
@NoPromptForPassword 1
logon yoursteamusername yoursteampassword
force_install_dir C:\arkserver1
app_update 346110 validate
quit
There are three differences. The first being you are using your Steam account information, which is not recommended. The second is that instead of putting in anonymous for the login you are putting in your username and password for Steam. The third and final difference is the app number.
The Ark Survival Evolved game that you buy and play has its own app ID and the Windows dedicated server package has its own app ID. Anonymous download does not work with the full game and using your Steam account info does not work with the dedicated server package.
Dedicated Server Start-Up Script
Here is a simple bat file that will launch your Ark: Dedicated Server. Create a file with notepad or a similar program and call it arkserver.bat or what ever you like. Just make sure you call it .bat or it won't run. This file needs to be put in the right directory. Go to where you installed the Ark server and find the following directory and put the file in it.
ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64
Inside the file you need to put the following text:
start ShooterGameServer "TheIsland?Listen"
exit
Then to run your server just double click the bat file you made. It should open a window really quickly. Close it, then open another one. Please note that at the time of this writing the Ark Survival Evolved Dedicated Server can take as long as 5 minutes or more before it is ready and responding. Also at this time there is absolutely nothing you can do with the command window except click the X in the top right corner to close it.
