Studio Wildcard, the developer of ARK: Survival Evolved, announced the new game – ARK Survival Ascended in March 2023. The new developments shown in the launched trailer created hype among the ARK fans. The reason is justified from every angle. The developers used improved visuals, an advanced character model and a more defined environment using Unreal Engine 5 in the ARK Survival Ascended game. This guide will explore the 4 Best ARK Survival Ascended Server Hosting Services for 2024.
ARK Survival Ascended takes you to a fully dynamic Global Illumination (“Lumen”) for realistic light interactions, advanced mesh streaming (“Nanite”) for more details, and dynamic physics systems like interactive water and physical foliage.
The game is available in early access on the platform – PC, Play Station, and Xbox series S/X if you are a fan. But, if you’re stepping into gaming and are unaware of the details of this game, let me guide you a little here.
Best ARK Survival Ascended Server Hosting – Top Picks
Considering the most important factors, I have selected the four best ARK Survival ascended server hosting for you. Check them out here:
| RANK | Hosting Provider | Key Features | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gravel Host | It saves your database for three years. | $16.00/month | |
| 2 | Apexhosting | Gives you affordable server hosting. | $29.24/month | |
| 3 | Citadel Server | Provides you with a highly customised control panel. | $13.05/month | |
| 4 | Zap-Hosting | Offers diverse hosting solutions. | €9.90/month |
What is ARK Survival Ascended?
ARK Survival Ascended is a more advanced and updated version of the popular game ARK Survival Evolved, which was published in 2017. It is a survival, action-adventure game, released by the developers, Studio Wildcard in early access on October 2023. You can play ARK Survival Ascended in single-player and multiplayer modes. If you’re wondering about the game narrative of ARK Survival Ascended, it’s the same as ARK Survival Evolved. You wake up on a mysterious island, greeted by diverse landscapes and roars of prehistoric creatures.
Your call to action lies in – forming tribes, taming dinosaurs, exploring, crafting, and fighting your way to dominance. What is different in ARK Survival Ascended is its new advanced graphics, tenfolding your adventure experience.
What are the System Requirements to Host ARK Survival Ascended Server
Here’s the full system requirement detail of the ARK Survival Ascended game.
| System Requirements | Minimum | Recommended |
| Operating System | Windows 10/11 with updates | Windows 10/11 with updates |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Intel Core i7-6800K | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 32 GB RAM |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, NVIDIA GeForce 1080 | AMD Radeon RX 6800, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Network | Broadband Internet connection | Broadband Internet connection |
| Storage | 70 GB available space | 70 GB available space |
ARK Survival Ascended vs ARK Survival Evolved
Do you want to dig deeper into what makes ARK Survival Ascended different from ARK Survival Evolved? Here you go.
Check out the significant difference between the games below.
| Basis of Difference | ARK: Survival Evolved | ARK: Survival Ascended |
| Game Stage | ARK: Survival Evolved represents the base game of Studio Wildcard. | ARK: Survival Ascended is an advanced version that not only offers the base game content but additional features and refinements. |
| Graphics and Visuals | You experience the original graphics with standard visual quality in ARK: Survival Evolved. | You get more enhanced graphics that offer improved textures, lighting effects, and overall visual fidelity. |
| Content Variety | Content in ARK: Survival Evolved is based on the core game, with updates introducing new elements. | ARK: Survival Ascended offers extra content, giving you a broader range of in-game activities, challenges, and environments to explore. |
| Gameplay Mechanics | Core gameplay mechanics are present in the base game. | Refinements in gameplay mechanics based on player feedback to enhance the overall gaming experience. |
| Setup Convenience | The setup process in ARK: Survival Evolved is standard and may require more manual configuration. | ARK: Survival Ascended focuses on player convenience by easing the setup process, allowing for quicker and more user-friendly server deployment. |
| Additional Content | Regular updates introducing new content periodically. | Introduction of extra creatures, structures, and biomes, expanding in-game activities and providing more content to explore. |
| UI and Controls | Standard user interface and control systems. | Improved user interface and control systems for more intuitive and user-friendly interaction. |
How to Choose the Best ARK Survival Ascended Server Hosting?
Choosing the right ARK Survival ascended server is inevitable because your gaming experience depends on it. One wrong choice and you can destroy your gaming fun. So, to help you make the right decision, here are the factors to consider for choosing a perfect ARK Survival ascended server:
- Check if a server hosting provides you with enough resources like RAM, CPU, and storage. While a higher amount of RAM and a powerful CPU contribute to strong gameplay. Sufficient storage is necessary for saving your game data and mods.
- Your ARK survival ascended server should be scalable. A scalable server gives you stability and handles an increasing number of players without compromising performance.
- Don’t forget- the server’s physical location matters. Choose an ARK survival ascended server with a location close to you.
- Opt for a server with regular backup and recovery options. It saves your progress, and in case of any issues, the server can be restored to a previous state.
- Choose a server that supports mods so you can use the one of your choice.
- Consider the server’s stability before making any decision. A stable server minimizes crashes and disruptions, providing a more reliable gaming experience.
- Look for community reviews or feedback about the server. Reviews from other players give insights into the server’s performance, rules, and overall experience.
- Examine the server’s uptime and downtime policies. Reliable servers have high uptimes and clear policies regarding scheduled maintenance or downtime.
- Your security matters the most. Check what security measures the server has in place. A secure server protects against potential hacks or malicious activities.
4 Best ARK Survival Ascended Server Hosting
Here are a few popular ARK Survival Ascended server hosting providers for 2024.
1. Gravel Host (Enterprise Server Hosting )
Gravel Host is for you if you’re looking for a more secure and data-saving feature in your ARK survival ascended game. The hosting service retains your server data, such as game progress, configurations, or files, for three years straight.
What does that mean? It means that even if you stop playing or using your server for some time, you can return within three years and pick up right where you left off.
This unique feature makes sure your data is securely stored and accessible whenever you decide to resume.
Features
Key Features for ARK Survival ascended Server Hosting:
- You receive NVMe storage that gives your game more speed.
- Gravel Host has a money-back policy if you’re not happy with the service in the first 72 hours.
- You get a user-friendly control panel to adjust and manage your ARK survival.
- It is even perfect for extensive and demanding applications or websites.
- You get 24/7 discord support, a worldwide location for more speed, and a free MySQL database to store your information.
- It gives you unlimited player access. You can host as many players as you want for your ARK game.
Now, let’s head toward the main concern: pricing. Here’s the detailed hosting plan for ARK Survival ascended:
| Hosting Plan | Player Recommendation | RAM | Storage | Monthly Cost |
| PARASAUR | 20 players | 13GB DDR4 | 25GB NVMe | $16.00 |
| TRICERATOPS | 40 players | 15GB DDR4 | 50GB NVMe | $21.00 |
| RAPTOR | 80 players | 17GB DDR4 | 75GB NVMe | $27.00 |
| T-REX | 120 players | 19GB DDR4 | 100GB NVMe | $32.00 |
2. Apex Hosting (High-Performance Hosting)
Are you looking for an affordable ARK survival ascended server? Choose Apex. Apex Server Hosting offers high-quality servers at an affordable price.
You get an instant setup, a user-friendly server, and flexibility to meet your diverse gaming preferences. Apex promises the performance you need, and they back it up with excellent customer support.
Features
Critical Features for ARK Survival Ascended Server Hosting:
- It gives you unlimited players limit.
- It gives you access to dedicated live chat support for instant assistance.
- You benefit from a risk-free experience with a 7-day money-back guarantee.
- Provides complete protection against DDoS attacks, ensuring the security of your server.
- It offers automatic backups to safeguard your data.
- Uses high-performance hardware for a steady and responsive gaming experience.
- You get the installation of mod packs with just one click, simplifying the customization process.
- Offers free transfers, allowing you to move your server as needed seamlessly.
Here’s the Apex hosting’s pricing plan for ARK Survival ascended:
| Recurring Monthly Cost | First Month Cost | RAM |
| $38.99/mo | $29.24 | 12GB |
| $45.50/mo | $34.12 | 14GB |
| $51.99/mo | $38.99 | 16GB |
| $64.99/mo | $48.74 | 20GB |
| $77.99/mo | $58.49 | 24GB |
| $90.99/mo | $68.24 | 28GB |
| $103.99/mo | $77.99 | 32GB |
3. Citadel Servers
The standout point of Citadel Server is its “Highly Customized Tcadmin Control Panel.” Choosing this server for your ARK Survival Ascended offers you an intuitive and tailored interface for your game. This feature makes your server management, mod settings, administration, and handling configurations exceptionally user-friendly.
The highly customized control panel enriches your overall experience, providing complete control over your server environment.
Features
Key Features for ARK Survival ascended Server Hosting:
- Citadel Server gives you instant server setup, minimizing wait times and allowing you to start playing instantly.
- You can switch server locations at any time. The server provides the convenience of choosing a server location that suits your needs.
- You have full control over your ARK game as the server provides Full FTP access.
- Citadel Server prioritizes security with Advanced DDoS Protection, safeguarding your server against potential cyber threats.
- Custom Launch Parameters of the server offer flexibility in configuring your server’s startup.
- You get full control over the server status, enabling you to start, stop, or restart your server as needed.
The price for ARK survival ascended with Citadel servers and began at just $0.85 per slot/player.
4. Zap Hosting (Best for VPS Hosting)
Do you know what the specialty of ZAP Hosting is? It can offer a diverse range of hosting solutions, including:
- Fast scalable VPS,
- Powerful root servers and DDoS-protected game servers
- All within a unified ZAP account.
This all-in-one approach provides unparalleled convenience to manage different hosting services from a single platform. This unique feature distinguishes ZAP Hosting from others.
Features
Key Features for ARK Survival Ascended Server Hosting:
- ZAP Hosting provides high-speed SSDs for quick access and smooth performance in your data storage.
- It shields your server from online attacks with DDoS Protection.
- It gives you automatic Setup for your server, saving you time and making the process hassle-free.
You get live chat support at ZAP Hosting, which provides immediate assistance whenever you have questions or need help. - ZAP Hosting offers a Custom Web interface, providing a personalized and user-friendly control panel for easy management and server setting customization.
- It gives you a worldwide server location for low latency.
Here’s the detailed pricing plan for ARK Survival ascended from Zap:
| Hosting Plan | Player Limit | RAM | Storage | Monthly Cost |
| Windows VPS | Unlimited | 4GB | 25 GB SSD | $10.89 |
| Windows Rootserver | Unlimited | 8GB | 60 GB SSD NAS | $19.69 |
| Dedicated | Unlimited | 64-256 GB | 500-2000 SSD | $45.68 |
Conclusion: Best ARK Survival Ascended Server Hosting
Choosing the right server for ARK Survival Ascended can change your gaming experience. The blog guided you through the essentials, compared top options, and laid out key features and prices. Now equipped with this knowledge, it is time for you to pick your ideal server, conquer the ARK world, and level up your gaming experience.
FAQs: Best ARK Survival Ascended Server Hosting
1. Does ARK Survival Ascended have a dedicated server and is it free?
Yes, there is a dedicated server available for ARK Survival Ascended.
And yes, hosting your own ARK Survival Ascended dedicated server is free.
You simply need to subscribe to the Ascended mod on Steam Workshop and download the developer-provided server files at no cost. You can then configure and host a server from your computer that will be accessible to Ascended players 24/7.
However, your computer would need to remain powered on continuously.
Suppose you don’t want the responsibility of maintaining your own hardware or need increased performance. In that case, there are third-party paid server hosting services [Mentioned in the blog] which, for a monthly fee, will host an Ascended server on dedicated hardware with a quality-of-service guaranteed.
2. How do I make my ARK Survival ascended server smoother?
To make your ARK Survival Ascended server run more smoothly, there are a few key settings you can adjust.
First, reduce graphics options like view distance, ground clutter density, and unnecessary visual effects to improve frame rate. You’ll also need to limit the number of structures and tamed creatures per tribe, as too many entities slow down your ascended servers.
Adjust breeding and maturation timers to prevent excessive dinosaur breeding.
Monitor server performance, and resource usage, and check settings as needed to find the right balance. Reducing the number of players or upgrading to better hardware. Follow these steps to make your server smoother.
3. Does ARK Ascended have a PvE server?
Unfortunately, the ARK Survival Ascended mod is not supported on official PVE server.
The developers recently added more standard PVP, PVE and Small Tribes official servers across selected regions like Europe and North America due to high demand, but mod support was not mentioned. They are still evaluating other regions and hopefully, it will be available soon.
Your only option to play ARK Survival Ascended PVE is to search for unofficial private servers hosting the mod. You can check subreddit forums, server listing websites, and ARK gaming communities to find player-hosted Ascended PVE servers to join.
4. Where can I play ARK Survival Ascended?
You can access and play ARK Survival Ascended on PlayStation 5, PC, Windows, Xbox Series Z and Series S.
5. What is the best mod setting for ARK Survival Ascended?
There is no objectively “best” mod setting. The best depends greatly on your specific server hardware capabilities. Most recommendations focus on lowering graphic-intensive options like view distance to improve server performance.
You can also try limiting your community size and some structures/tame. Excessive entities slow your servers down.
Also, Retain social dynamics, and adjust breeding/maturation timers to balance challenge and enjoyment.
Beyond technical optimization, avoid excessive mod usage. More mods cover extra space and slow your game. Find a balance that best suits your community’s needs.
The “best” mod settings support enjoying the mod you love with good frame rates and challenges while avoiding excessive grind.
6. What are the new gameplay features in Ark Survival Ascended?
ARK Survival Ascended allows all platforms to access user mods and improves the intelligence and navigation of dinosaurs to make them less clumsy.
It adds more customization options for player avatars and tamed creatures, overhauls in-game menus and maps to be cleaner and more user-friendly, and introduces local split-screen co-op play.
It also enhances graphics while keeping the core dinosaur survival and crafting gameplay of the original Ark fully intact.
