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Playing with friends? Godlike.Host runs hosted ARK: Survival Evolved servers from 10 data-center locations, with free DDoS protection.
Choose The Island for the canonical first playthrough, or choose Ragnarok when you want the clearest community-popularity recommendation. The Island is the base-game starting point and uses TheIsland on a dedicated server. Ragnarok is repeatedly identified in practical hosting guidance as a popular community map, although no authoritative player-count ranking establishes it as the global number one. Every map requires an exact, case-sensitive startup value, and a dedicated server needs SteamCMD app ID 376030, correctly forwarded game and query ports, and enough memory for players, structures, creatures, and mods—not just an empty world.
This guide matches each map to a play style, lists the exact server values, explains local and dedicated hosting, shows how to plan RAM, and clarifies why a cluster—not a single server process—is needed for multi-map progression.
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Which ARK map is best for most players?
For a first run, pick The Island. It is the base-game canonical map, its progression is the reference point for the story, and its dedicated-server value is TheIsland. For a larger, more varied community server, Ragnarok is the practical popularity choice in hosting guidance and uses Ragnarok. That is a recommendation based on community-hosting practice, not an official population survey.
The right choice depends on more than scenery. Compare beginner accessibility, story position, biome and traversal mechanics, creature roster, whether players need a DLC, empty-world memory, mod instructions, and whether you intend to run a cluster. A free map may be easier to advertise to friends, while a DLC map can provide a more specialized challenge.
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- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
Quick decision guide
- Learning the game and following the original progression: The Island.
- A broad community map with varied biomes: Ragnarok.
- A free alternate island layout with caves: The Center.
- Mixed biomes plus an underground region: Valguero.
- Scenic exploration and aerial travel: Crystal Isles.
- A large free-map content package: Lost Island.
- Norse-themed exploration and realm travel: Fjordur.
- Desert survival pressure: Scorched Earth.
- A difficult underground run: Aberration.
- Ruined-Earth systems and Titan-focused end game: Extinction.
- Mission-based progression: Genesis: Part 1.
- Late-game ship and technology setting: Genesis: Part 2.
What are the exact ARK dedicated-server map names?
Use the values below exactly as written. They are case-sensitive; adding spaces, changing an underscore, or shortening a suffix can prevent the server from loading the intended world.
| Map | Startup value | Access and best fit |
|---|---|---|
| The Island | TheIsland |
Base game; first playthrough and canonical story progression |
| Ragnarok | Ragnarok |
Free community map; large, varied server experience |
| The Center | TheCenter |
Free alternate island layout and caves |
| Scorched Earth | ScorchedEarth_P |
DLC desert-survival challenge |
| Aberration | Aberration_P |
DLC underground challenge with radiation and no ordinary flyer progression |
| Extinction | Extinction |
DLC ruined-Earth setting and Titan-focused play |
| Valguero | Valguero_P |
Free mixed-biome map with an underground area |
| Genesis: Part 1 | Genesis |
DLC mission-based progression |
| Crystal Isles | CrystalIsles |
Free scenic exploration and aerial travel |
| Genesis: Part 2 | Gen2 |
DLC late-game ship and technology setting |
| Lost Island | LostIsland |
Free broad-content exploration map |
| Fjordur | Fjordur |
Free Norse-themed exploration and realm travel |
The suffixes matter. For example, Valguero is Valguero_P, not Valguero, and Scorched Earth is ScorchedEarth_P. Keep a copy of this list beside the server launch script so a map change does not introduce a spelling error.
How do the maps compare in practical use?
The following comparison separates a map’s intended experience from the operational cost of hosting it. “Free” describes the map’s distribution category in the cited hosting guidance; platform access rules can change, so check the current rules for the platform being used.
| Map | Best for | Practical trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| The Island | First playthrough and canonical story progression | Base-game map with familiar tutorials and progression |
| Ragnarok | Large, varied community server | Hosting guidance calls it a popular community map; a larger world requires more administration |
| The Center | Free alternate island layout and caves | Verify current server and platform support before committing |
| Valguero | Mixed biomes and underground area | Use the exact Valguero_P value |
| Crystal Isles | Scenic exploration and aerial travel | Free map with a comparatively high empty-world memory range |
| Lost Island | Broad free-map content and exploration | Empty-world memory is roughly 5.5–7 GiB in the cited table |
| Fjordur | Norse-themed exploration and realm travel | Plan around roughly 4–5 GiB for an empty world |
| Scorched Earth | Desert survival challenge | DLC map with heat and water-management pressure |
| Aberration | High-challenge underground run | DLC map with radiation and no ordinary flyer progression |
| Extinction | End-game and Titan-focused play | DLC map with ruined-Earth systems and higher difficulty |
| Genesis: Part 1 | Mission-based progression | DLC map with mission systems and a larger memory footprint than many free maps |
| Genesis: Part 2 | Late-game ship and technology setting | Highest listed empty-map memory range in the cited table |
How much RAM does an ARK server need?
Empty-world figures are a starting baseline, not a complete hosting specification. Connected players, tamed creatures, structures, dropped items, saved world history, and mods all increase demand. Reserve headroom above the empty-world range instead of sizing a machine to the lower number.
| Map | Approximate empty-world memory |
|---|---|
| The Island | 3.5–4.5 GiB |
| The Center | 3–4 GiB |
| Ragnarok | 4–5 GiB |
| Fjordur | 4–5 GiB |
| Crystal Isles | 5.5–6.5 GiB |
| Lost Island | 5.5–7 GiB |
| Genesis: Part 1 | 5–6 GiB |
| Genesis: Part 2 | 10–12.5 GiB |
These ranges describe the cited ARK: Survival Evolved empty-map table. They do not promise a safe total for a populated server. A lightly populated vanilla Island server may fit with considerably less memory than a busy, modded Genesis: Part 2 server, but the map figure alone cannot determine the final requirement.
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- Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
- Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
- Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
A practical capacity checklist
- Start with the map’s empty-world range.
- Add headroom for the maximum simultaneous players, not the average.
- Account for persistent structures and creature populations that accumulate over time.
- Count every active mod and follow its stated requirements.
- If several maps will run simultaneously, budget memory for every server process plus the operating system and administration tools.
How do I run an ARK map locally?
For solo or non-dedicated play, open ARK: Survival Evolved’s Host/Local menu, select the map, and start the session. The map must be available to that installation: confirm the required DLC is owned and that any Workshop map or mod is subscribed and installed.
- Open the Host/Local screen.
- Select the desired map from the map selector.
- Confirm the map’s DLC entitlement or Workshop subscription.
- For a modded map, install the required Workshop items and follow the map author’s load-order and launch instructions.
- Start the session and verify that the correct world loads before investing in a long-term save.
Workshop distribution supports map and mod content for local play and online servers. A modded map is not configured by guessing its command-line name; use the instructions on that map’s Workshop page or from its author.
How do I install an ARK dedicated server?
A dedicated server runs independently of the game client and can stay online for other players. The standard installation uses SteamCMD and ARK: Survival Evolved’s app ID 376030.
- Install SteamCMD on the host. Use the installation method appropriate to the host operating system.
- Create a server directory. Choose a path with enough disk space for the base files, updates, saves, logs, and mods.
- Download or update the server files. Run:
steamcmd +force_install_dir <install_dir> +login anonymous +app_update 376030 +quit - Back up the save before first launch. Keep a separate copy of the save directory before changing maps, mods, or cluster settings.
- Launch with the exact map value. A Windows example for Ragnarok is:
ShooterGameServer.exe Ragnarok?SessionName=<server_name>?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?MaxPlayers=<max_players>?ServerAdminPassword=<admin_password> - Replace each placeholder with a real value. Use a distinctive session name, a player limit appropriate to the host, and an administrator password that is not reused elsewhere.
The same command pattern applies to other maps: replace Ragnarok with the exact value from the map table. Do not replace the map with its display name when the startup value includes an underscore or a shortened form such as Gen2.
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Forward both the game port and the query port shown in the launch command. The example uses game 7777 and query 27015. The official server guidance requires both UDP and TCP forwarding for the server to appear in server lists.
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- Create forwarding rules for port
7777over UDP and TCP to the host’s local IP address. - Create forwarding rules for port
27015over UDP and TCP to the same host. - Allow the server executable through the host firewall for those protocols.
- Restart the server after changing the rules.
- Search ARK’s unofficial server list or Steam’s server browser, then add the server to favorites once it appears.
Forwarding to the wrong machine, forwarding only UDP, or forwarding only the game port can produce a server that runs locally but does not appear to remote players. Keep the host’s local address reserved in the router so the rules do not point to a different device after a reboot.
How do I switch maps without losing my character?
Changing the map on one dedicated server is a world change; it is not the same as offering several connected worlds. Stop the server, back up the save directory, change the startup map value, and restart. The server will then load the selected map’s world save, while the previous map’s files remain available only if they were preserved in a backup or separate save location.
For ongoing progression across maps, use a cluster. A cluster is a group of separate server instances—one per map—with shared cluster settings that permit transfers. A single server process normally runs one map at a time.
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Safe map-change procedure
- Announce downtime and stop the server cleanly.
- Copy the complete save directory to a dated backup location.
- Copy the current launch command into a change log.
- Change only the map value first; avoid changing mods and cluster settings in the same maintenance window.
- Start the server and confirm that the intended map loads.
- Keep the old save backup until players have confirmed that their progression is intact.
When a cluster is the better design
Use separate instances when players need a shared character pool or transfers between The Island, Ragnarok, and other maps. Each instance needs its own server directory, port assignments, save files, and resource allocation. Shared cluster settings identify the instances as one transfer group; simply using the same session name does not create a cluster.
Do friends need the DLC to join my map?
Free maps such as The Island, Ragnarok, The Center, Valguero, Crystal Isles, Lost Island, and Fjordur can generally reach a wider audience because a joining player may not need to own an expansion. Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, Genesis: Part 1, and Genesis: Part 2 are DLC maps, so ownership can restrict who can access them.
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- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
Access policies vary by platform and can change. Before advertising a server, verify the current platform rule for the specific map and whether the server’s mod list adds another ownership or download requirement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should I choose between a free map and a DLC map?
Choose a free map when the priority is the largest possible pool of friends or public players. Choose a DLC map when its defining mechanics are the reason for the server: desert resource pressure, underground radiation hazards, ruined-Earth end-game systems, or mission-based progression.
Free-map considerations
- Lower access friction for a mixed group of players.
- Several distinct environments are available without requiring the same expansion purchase.
- Memory still varies substantially: Crystal Isles and Lost Island need more empty-world memory than The Center or The Island in the cited table.
DLC-map considerations
- Every player should confirm ownership and platform compatibility before joining.
- Special mechanics can change the early-game plan and creature-travel options.
- Genesis: Part 2 has the highest cited empty-world memory range, 10–12.5 GiB, so it needs the most conservative capacity planning.
What are the most common dedicated-server mistakes?
The map fails to load
Check capitalization, underscores, and spelling against the exact startup-value table. Valguero_P, ScorchedEarth_P, Aberration_P, and Genesis are especially easy to mistype.
The server runs but cannot be found
Confirm that both 7777 and 27015 are forwarded over both UDP and TCP, that the rules target the host’s current local IP, and that the firewall permits the executable. Search the unofficial list and Steam browser after restarting the server.
Players run out of memory or experience instability
Compare actual usage with the map’s empty-world baseline, then account for players, structures, creatures, and mods. Reduce the mod list or player cap only after creating a backup, and leave operating-system headroom instead of assigning all physical memory to ARK.
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A map change appears to erase progression
Stop and restore the pre-change backup before making further edits. A map switch loads a different world; it does not automatically turn one server into a multi-map cluster. For shared progression, configure separate map servers as a cluster before directing players to transfer.
A modded map starts incorrectly
Use the Workshop page or map author’s documented load order and launch parameters. Do not assume that a display name is the server value, and do not combine a map change with a large mod reconfiguration until the original save is backed up.
What should a reliable ARK map setup include?
- An exact, case-sensitive map value in a saved launch script.
- SteamCMD installation from app ID
376030and a repeatable update command. - Both game and query ports forwarded over UDP and TCP.
- A reserved local IP and firewall rules for the server executable.
- Memory headroom beyond the empty-world figure for the chosen map.
- Dated backups before map, mod, or cluster changes.
- A clear decision between one persistent map and a multi-server cluster.
- A written note of the map, ports, player limit, mods, and administrator credentials location.
The simplest dependable arrangement is one server, one map, a tested launch script, and regular save backups. Add a cluster only when players genuinely need transfers between worlds; each additional map is another process to update, monitor, back up, and size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run two ARK maps from one server process at the same time?
No. A normal dedicated server process runs one map. To keep several maps available concurrently, create a separate server instance for each map and connect them with shared cluster settings.
Why is my map value case-sensitive?
The server uses the startup value as an internal world identifier rather than the friendly name shown in menus. A changed suffix, underscore, or capital letter can stop the intended map from loading, so copy the value exactly.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesShould I change the map and mods during the same maintenance window?
Avoid doing both at once. Keep a dated save backup, change one variable, confirm the server starts and the save is present, then make the next change; this makes a failed launch or incompatible mod much easier to reverse.
What is the safest way to advertise a server to players on different platforms?
Choose a free map when broad access matters, publish the exact map name and required Workshop content, and verify the current platform’s DLC and cross-play rules before opening the server publicly.
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