Learning how to host an Ark: Survival Ascended server on Xbox is one of the biggest keys to having an experience tailored to you and your friends.
No longer will you have to deal with toxic players from nearby areas because you will instead be the host with the most. Did I mention you have complete power on this Survival Ascended server you built? The only downside is you must contain yourself as friends and potential new players join your server, so show mercy.
Benefits to hosting an Ark: Survival Ascended server
Hosting an Ark: Survival Ascended server provides a ton of benefits. You can add new mods and plugins with ease, play on an incredibly low ping, and keep the server running for as long as you desire.
This means you can be in charge of virtually everything on your server. If you’re looking to rule your server with an iron fist, keeping it alive only while logged in, you can host a non-dedicated server. Otherwise, a dedicated server that keeps the server running is available to purchase.
How to host an Ark: Survival Ascended server on Xbox
The only way to host a server in Ark: Survival Ascended on Xbox is through Nitrado. For those unfamiliar with Nitrado, it assists players with this specific task. If you’re looking to host a server, head to the Nitrado website, and for Xbox players, you must use the Xbox or Windows 10 app and purchase a server.
You can host servers with the protection Nitrado provides, alongside a slew of other benefits. But it will cost you a bit of cash in the process.
The prices vary depending on how many players use your Ark: Survival Ascended server. This means you could be spending roughly $40 a month if you’re looking to fill all 32 spots. Otherwise, you can purchase the lower tiers for fewer players.
Fear not, though. You can create your own configuration for your server. This means you can acquire 200 slots for your server and keep it running as long as you like. But the prices will vary.
All Nitrado options for Ark: Survival Ascended
Currently, you can get preset Ark servers or build a configuration of your own depending on your requirements via Nitrado. You can choose to subscribe to these servers or opt for prepaid.
Prepaid servers run for a fixed number of days, after which you will have to pay for it again, while subscriptions will keep deducting the amount automatically and keep your server renewed until you cancel.
In preset servers, you can choose from three runtime options:
| Runtime | Cost |
| Three days | $5.38 |
| 30 days | $21.67 |
| 90 days | $58.52 |
Besides the varying runtime, which determines their pricing, all of the above options offer the same benefits, including:
- 20 player slots
- Choose the server you want: Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Sydney, New York City, Miami, London
- Crossplay support for PC, Xbox, PlayStation 5
- Xbox and Windows (Microsoft Store) server can also be purchased via the Nitrado Xbox/UWP app
- Integrated CurseForge Mod management with Crossplay Mods
- DDoS protection
The rates are the same whether you wish to subscribe or prepay for it.
If you want a bigger server with support for several slots, don’t worry. Just use the Customize Server option to fill in your requirements and Nitrado will offer a subscription and prepaid pricing depending on your choice. You can pick up to 200 slots and up to 365 days of runtime.
Once you choose a server, create an account or log in to Nitrado to initiate the transaction. After the transaction is complete, you will be given instructions on how to set up the server you bought and start playing Ark: Survival Ascended with your friends.
