iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Godlike.Host offers hosted ARK: Survival Evolved servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.
To run a procedural map in an ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server, install the ASE server with SteamCMD, start it with the level name PGARK, place the generation settings in the server configuration loaded at startup, and keep an exact record of the seed and every generation value. The seed and settings determine the world that players will build on; changing them should be treated as creating a new world.
What a procedural ARK map is
A procedural map is generated by the server from parameters and, most importantly, a map seed instead of loading one fixed, authored map. The server calculates terrain and biomes when it creates the world. As Host Havoc Technical Support Team put it in 2026, “A procedurally generated map is defined by its generation settings, especially the map seed.”
That distinction matters operationally. A restart should reload the same saved world, but a server that starts with a different seed or different generation values can produce a different landscape. Record the complete configuration before players place structures, and back up the saved data before experimenting.
Before you install: decide the world and network plan
Choose the server machine
You can run the dedicated server on a Windows or Linux machine. The installation command is the same SteamCMD pattern, but the startup script and executable directory differ. Resource demand is not a fixed number: it varies with the generated map, connected players, world age, configuration, and mods. Plan to monitor CPU, memory, storage, and network use after the first launch rather than relying on a universal RAM or CPU guarantee.
#1 Best Overall
- Powerful Turbo Fan:CAGIWIRU Electric Air Duster have reached speed up to 130000RPM,Can efficient remove dust and debris.With LED light and Three Adjustable Speed to meet with different cleaning tasks.
- With Attached USB C Fasting Charging cable.Charing 3 hours,Enjoy up to 240 minutes of use on the lowest setting, For third speed can use for 25mins.with four charging options to meet with your needs.
- Wide Application: attached 5 different nozzles,making it suitable for a variety of scenes, such as car,pet, pc, keyboards, and other electronic devices. It also serves for office and home clean duster.
- Handy Design & Portable:Cordless air duster electric nozzle is Light weight and small size, design and comfortable to hold and space saving, convenient to carry around. You can put it in your room or inside the car without taking up space.
- Economical &Reusable: Built durable materials with a long-lasting battery,our CAGIWIRU air duster it's a sustainable alternative to disposable air cans.
Choose ports and document them
The launch command uses one game port and one query port. Select unused ports, write them down, and use the same values in the startup script, the operating-system firewall, and the router’s port-forwarding rule. Do not assume that opening only the game port is sufficient for server discovery.
Freeze generation choices before inviting players
Decide the seed and terrain controls before anyone builds. If you later change the seed or another generation control, retain the old save and configuration and treat the change as a new-world decision. A backup lets you return to the original world if the new result is not acceptable.
Install the ASE dedicated server with SteamCMD
Use the official application ID
The ASE dedicated-server application is Steam app ID 376030. In SteamCMD, replace <install_dir> with the directory where you want the server files stored:
steamcmd +force_install_dir <install_dir> +login anonymous +app_update 376030 +quitRun the command from a shell that can execute SteamCMD. Allow the update to finish and confirm that the installation contains the ShooterGame directory and the platform-specific binaries.
Windows layout
On Windows, create a batch file in ShooterGame/Binaries/Win64/. Keeping the script beside the executable makes relative paths predictable. Use the exact executable name produced by your installation rather than copying a path from a different build.
Rank #2
- Screen Cleaner is Your Screen’s New Bestfriend! - EVEO is proud to present a screen cleaner that’s perfectly suited for your TV. Meet your new screen cleaner, computer screen cleaner, laptop cleaner, iPad cleaner, Macbook,tv cleaner or any other electronic device. Our screen cleaner spray and wipe along with the included plush microfiber cloth, easily removes dust, fingerprints & other smudges on the screen’s surface. Clean effectively for a streak-free screen
- Gentle on your Screens - Our screen cleaner spray and wipes is compatible to be used even for the most sensitive LCD, LED, CRT, and OLED screens in proper use. Be at ease knowing that this product is compatible with all the major brands: LG, SONY, Samsung, Sharp, iPad, iPhone, Android screens, Kindle, PC monitors - we’ve got you covered! Can be used as LCD screen cleaner, tv cleaner, smart tv screen cleaner, and more
- Premium Super Soft Plush Microfiber Cloth - Included in this efficient screen cleaning kit. This screen cleaner spray and wipe has our signature plush microfiber cloth specially designed to comply with screens and monitors and leave them streak-free. Has been shown to effectively absorbs stubborn stains, zero streaks, and no fiber shedding. Always use this together with our screen cleaner for the best results
- Easy-to-Use Screen Cleaner Kit + microfiber cleaning cloth - The EVEO Screen Cleaning Kit will easily be your new favorite tool when it comes to taking care of the things you love most, quick and easy solution for a streak-free screen. Simply screw on the sprayer gun on the screen cleaner bottle. Spray the cleaning liquid onto the microfiber cloth, then wipe the screen until desired cleanliness & shine is achieved.
- Quality Screen Care Kit Worth Purchasing - Enjoy a convenient Screen Cleaner anytime, anywhere you need it. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We stand behind the quality of our products and that’s why, you shouldn’t be worrying at all. We manufacture the Best Screen Cleaner. and can be used for laptop cleaning kit, laptop screen cleaner, tv screen cleaner for smart tv. MacBook screen cleaner, monitor cleaner or screen cleaner spray for electronic devices with microfiber cleaning cloth
Linux layout
On Linux, create a shell script in ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/. Mark it executable before the first launch:
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
chmod +x start-ark.shUse the executable and path that your SteamCMD installation actually created. If the update process changes the binary layout, adjust the script instead of assuming a Windows path.
Start the server with the procedural level name
The documented ASE identifier for a procedurally generated map is PGARK. A minimal startup pattern is:
ShooterGameServer PGARK?SessionName=<server_name>?Port=<port>?QueryPort=<query_port>?MaxPlayers=<max_players>?ServerAdminPassword=<admin_password>Replace every placeholder with your values. Keep the question-mark separators exactly as shown. The level name is the first argument; do not substitute the name of a fixed map if you want procedural generation.
Example Windows batch structure
@echo off
ShooterGameServer.exe PGARK?SessionName=MyProceduralARK?Port=<port>?QueryPort=<query_port>?MaxPlayers=<max_players>?ServerAdminPassword=<admin_password>
pauseThe executable suffix and filename can vary with the installed build. Confirm the real filename in ShooterGame/Binaries/Win64/ and replace the example if necessary.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #3
- 【Large size】：Measuring 800 x 300 mm/ 31. 5×12 inches, which is wider and taller than others. Large mouse pad can perfectly fit your keyboard and mouse of any size, and there is also ample space for peripherals such as phones, tablets, etc.
- 【LED backlight mouse pad】：Blade Hawks RGB mouse pad provides 7 static modes and 7 dynamic modes will give you the options you are looking for. Power-off memory function remembers the last lighting mode you selected. The super glow fiber Chroma will give you a colorful gaming setup that you want.
- 【Anti-slip rubber base】：Made from Natural rubber, this gaming mousepad will firmly grip your desktop, allowing you to enjoy the ultimate precision in the games you are most passionate about. It also comes with a texture that enhances this ability even further.
- 【Smooth and waterproof surface】: Micro-textured cloth surface, for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth movement. When liquid splashes on the gaming mouse pad, it forms water droplets and slides down. Will not delay your work or gameplay.
- 【Plug and play】: This mouse and keyboard pad is powered by USB, plug and play, no driver required. One button control light modes. Press one time to change the lighting mode, press twice to change the brightness, press and hold about 3 seconds turn ON/OFF.
Example Linux shell structure
#!/bin/sh
./ShooterGameServer PGARK?SessionName=MyProceduralARK?Port=<port>?QueryPort=<query_port>?MaxPlayers=<max_players>?ServerAdminPassword=<admin_password>Save the script in the Linux binary directory, make it executable, and run it from that directory or use an absolute path. Keep the script under version control or copy it into your backup set so a restart uses the same arguments.
Put the seed and generation settings in the server configuration
Which file to edit
Place procedural settings in the server configuration that your installation loads at startup. In a standard ASE dedicated-server layout, this is normally the GameUserSettings.ini file under the platform-specific folder in ShooterGame/Saved/Config/ (for example, a Windows-server or Linux-server subfolder). If your hosting panel or server build exposes a separate configuration editor, use the editor’s equivalent fields and confirm that it writes to the file read by the running instance.
Stop the server before editing. Do not edit a file while the process is running and then assume the process will merge your changes; the server can overwrite configuration during shutdown.
Use the exact procedural keys
The current practical controls identified for ASE procedural generation are:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Setting | What it controls | Why to record it |
|---|---|---|
MapSeed |
The seed used by noise and random functions. | The primary reproducibility value; the same seed is required to reproduce the same generated result. |
LandscapeRadius |
The radius of land before the outer water area. | Changes the overall land-to-water layout and available building area. |
MountainHeight |
The mountain-height multiplier. | Changes elevation and traversal routes. |
GrassDensity |
Grassland foliage density. | Changes visual coverage and the amount of grassland foliage. |
JungleBiomeStart |
The height at which the jungle biome begins. | Changes where the jungle transition appears. |
ErosionIterations |
The number of simulated erosion droplets used to smooth terrain. | Changes the shape and smoothness of generated terrain. |
Enter the keys exactly as documented for your ASE build, using the configuration syntax it accepts. An illustrative block is:
Rank #4
- 【Softer and More Comfortable】Vaydeer wrist rest has unique diamond pattern, which is the combination of softness and aesthetics. The materials of wrist rest are improved into higher quality memory foam and covered with silky smooth lycra. The computer wrist rest makes you as comfortable and cushiony as like rest your wrists on clouds.
- 【Ergonomic Wrist Saver】The wrist rests for keyboard and mouse comes with a 17.32×3.15×0.83 inch keyboard wrist pad and a 5.94×3.15×0.83 inch mouse wrist support. Based on ergonomic design, the unique concave shape is the perfect fit for your wrist joints. The wrist rest pad fits most computer keyboards and laptops, improve hand and wrist posture, release your wrist and arm stress.
- 【Non-Slip Rubber Bottom】Featuring an anti-skid silicone base on the bottom, this wrist keyboard support stays firmly in place on your desk, preventing the padding from sliding around, ensuring stable and consistent wrist support during extended computer sessions.
- 【Better Experience & Pain Relief】Our keyboard arm rest is beneficial to alleviate the soreness caused by direct contact and friction between your arm and a hard desk surface, reducing the risk of wrist fatigue or carpal tunnel. The soft texture of memory foam can evenly distribute the pressure around your wrists and provide good support with just enough give.
- 【Helpful in Multiple Scenarios】Whether you're working, studying, writing, typing, gaming, this keyboard and mouse rest combo is an essential accessory to add comfort and support to your hands and wrists. It’s also a great gift for men, women, family, friend, coworker, gamer, teacher, etc.
[ServerSettings]
MapSeed=<your_seed>
LandscapeRadius=<value>
MountainHeight=<value>
GrassDensity=<value>
JungleBiomeStart=<value>
ErosionIterations=<value>The section and value format must match the version or control panel you are running. If a key is rejected or ignored, check the startup log and the documentation for that build rather than inventing a different spelling. Preserve a plain-text copy of the complete configuration, including values you leave at defaults.
Keep a reproducibility record
Create a small text record next to the launch script containing:
- the exact
MapSeedvalue; - every other generation value, including defaults you intentionally retained;
- the ASE server build and update date;
- the launch command, session name, game port, query port, and player limit;
- the configuration-file path used by the installation;
- the enabled mods and any server-side configuration that can affect world creation.
This record is more reliable than trying to reconstruct settings from memory after a migration or failed disk.
Save, restart, and verify world generation
- Stop the server cleanly if it is running.
- Back up the current saved data and configuration directory. Use a separate location or machine for at least one copy.
- Set
MapSeedand the other selected generation controls in the loaded server configuration. - Save the file, close the editor, and start the launch script with
PGARK. - Watch the console and log for successful world generation and creation of the save. A process that starts without generating a world, or that reports a fixed map, needs troubleshooting before players join.
- Stop and start the server once more using the same script. Confirm that it loads the same save rather than creating a replacement world.
- Connect from a client to verify that the server is discoverable and that joining works.
Do not delete the save to “test” a setting unless the backup is complete. Generation settings are decisions about the world, not ordinary gameplay options that can be changed safely after construction begins.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Open the firewall and forward the ports
Host firewall
Create inbound rules for both the game port and the query port selected in the launch command. Apply the rules to the network profile used by the server machine, and restrict the rule to the required protocol and port where your operating system allows it. A server can appear to run normally while remaining unreachable if the process is listening but the host firewall blocks external traffic.
Best Value
- 【No Drill Mounted】Cable management tray can be assembled in as little as 3 minutes or less-simply. Side clips easily clampe the edge of desk, pass through the holes on the sides, and secure excess cables with baskets. Desk cable management supports inward or outward installation to meet your needs in different scenarios, and provides you with great convenience when collecting and organizing wires.
- 【Rubber Pad Protects Desk】Wire organizer under desk built-in soft rubber pads on the clamp protect your desk from scratches, so you will not damage your furniture or office.
- 【Sturdy and Beautiful】Cord management under desk is made of high-quality carbon steel and holds about 15 lbs. The wire basket has 2 holes on each side of the tray to enable your cables to pass freely. Cable baskets are suitable for desk thickness use from 0.4" to 2.4".
- 【Space Saving & Keep Organized】Desk cable management tray holds all your power cords, outlet strips, USB hubs and computer transformers hidden from your feet, and the data cables will not enter the vacuum cleaner to keep your desk clean and tidy. Desk wire organizer is also suitable for use in the kitchen and outdoors.
- 【Reduce Safety Risks】Cable tray under desk keeps all plugs away from your kids, no more worry about tripping. Using 2 holes wire tray saves extra space, helps you easily cabling and wire protection. The mesh design is not easy to accumulate dust, but avoids safety accidents caused by messy wires.
Router forwarding
On the router, forward the same game and query ports to the server machine’s local IP address. Give the server a DHCP reservation or static local address so the forwarding target does not change after a reboot. Document the external port, internal port, and destination address.
Recommended Free Tools
Test from outside the local network
Use a client on another network, such as a phone hotspot, to test discovery and joining. A test from the same LAN can succeed even when the router does not provide hairpin networking, so it is not proof that public players can connect.
Diagnose common first-launch failures
The server starts a fixed map
- Check that the first launch argument is exactly
PGARK, not a fixed-map identifier. - Confirm that the script you edited is the script you executed.
- Review the console and log for the level name actually received by the process.
- Check that a hosting panel did not replace the command line with its own map selection.
The seed or controls appear to have no effect
- Stop the process before editing the configuration.
- Verify the file path and platform folder used by the running instance.
- Check spelling and capitalization of each key, especially
MapSeed. - Remove duplicate entries that could cause a later value to override an earlier one.
- Start with a clean test save and compare logs; do not judge a change from an already generated world.
Players cannot find or join the server
- Confirm that the game and query ports in the script match the firewall rules.
- Confirm that the router forwards both ports to the current local IP.
- Check for another process already using either port.
- Test from outside the host network and inspect the server log for incoming connections.
The world changes after a restart
- Compare the running launch script with the recorded command.
- Compare the active configuration with the backed-up copy, including all generation values.
- Check whether the server is loading a different save directory or was started under a different account.
- Restore the known-good save and configuration, then restart with the original
PGARKcommand.
The server crashes or becomes unstable
Do not infer a universal hardware requirement from another installation. Capture the build, map settings, player count, world age, and enabled mods, then check resource use and logs. Procedural generation and long-running worlds can behave differently as those variables change.
Self-hosting versus managed ARK hosting
Self-hosting gives you direct control over the SteamCMD files, launch script, configuration, save backups, and mods. It also makes you responsible for updates, firewall rules, router forwarding, monitoring, and restart automation. A managed provider can remove much of that maintenance through a control panel and automated restarts, but you trade some file-level control and must verify its current plan limits, backup policy, mod support, and configuration access.
| Concern | Self-hosted server | Managed hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Files and mods | Full access to installation, scripts, configuration, and saves. | Access depends on the provider’s panel and plan. |
| Updates | You run SteamCMD and schedule maintenance. | The provider may offer update controls or automation; exact behavior varies. |
| Networking | You open the host firewall and forward router ports. | The provider normally supplies the public endpoint, while you still configure the server. |
| Backups | You design, verify, and store your own copies. | Backup frequency, retention, and restore access must be checked in the current plan. |
| Restarts | You create scripts, services, or scheduled tasks. | Panels often expose restart scheduling, subject to provider limits. |
| Cost and support | Uses your hardware, bandwidth, electricity, and administration time. | Has a recurring fee; support scope and resource limits vary by plan. |
Whichever model you choose, keep your own copy of the seed, generation values, launch command, and saves. Those records are portable even when the server machine or provider changes.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Operational checklist
- SteamCMD installed and app ID
376030updated successfully. - Launch script uses
PGARKand the correct executable path. MapSeedand all chosen generation controls are saved in the configuration loaded by the server.- Seed, settings, build, mods, ports, and paths are recorded outside the live server directory.
- Game and query ports are allowed through the host firewall.
- Both ports are forwarded to a stable local IP address.
- Logs show world generation and save creation.
- An outside-network client can discover and join the server.
- Backups contain the save, launch script, and configuration files.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
