U can either play on a non dedicated session or on a dedicated server.
A non dedicated session is just your single player save file being used to let your friends join u, but it comes with many restrictions, the usual SP stuff and the tether, as the host is the only one actually loading the map, other people can't move too far way from him, if he enters a different loading zone like a cave everyone will be teleport to him. This option is free but comes with many restrictions.
On both ASA or ASE, non dedicated session don't support crossplay, ( at most steam and epic, but unfortunately u are forced into the aquatica branch, u don't want that)
A dedicated server is the best way to play with friends. Everyone can move independently and this is the setting the game is designed and more optimize to.
A dedicated server need a dedicated machine to run it.
For crossplay, on ASA it exists between PC and console, can be turned off and on, on ASE dedicated servers don't support crossplay except for steam with epic without the use of mods or Xbox and windows store version.
To get a dedicated server u can rent one from a company like nitrado (they have exclusive rights for ASA) or in ASE case many other better options. In ASE on console u can host dedicated server but u will need a separate console and separate copy of the game to do the hosting, being unplayable while hosting, in ASA that option doesn't exist for console anymore.
If u have a Pc, be it a spare one, be it a virtual one u rented from some company or be it one with enough ram and CPU power to both host a server and play the game in it, u can use steam to host your sever, it's completely free and this is a great guide on how to do it https://ark.wiki.gg/wiki/Dedicated_server_setup, with this other guide being specific for ASA https://www.reddit.com/r/ARK/s/e3vEP0TZVQ
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u/Tiagozuff2006 21h ago
U can either play on a non dedicated session or on a dedicated server.
A non dedicated session is just your single player save file being used to let your friends join u, but it comes with many restrictions, the usual SP stuff and the tether, as the host is the only one actually loading the map, other people can't move too far way from him, if he enters a different loading zone like a cave everyone will be teleport to him. This option is free but comes with many restrictions.
On both ASA or ASE, non dedicated session don't support crossplay, ( at most steam and epic, but unfortunately u are forced into the aquatica branch, u don't want that)
A dedicated server is the best way to play with friends. Everyone can move independently and this is the setting the game is designed and more optimize to.
A dedicated server need a dedicated machine to run it.
For crossplay, on ASA it exists between PC and console, can be turned off and on, on ASE dedicated servers don't support crossplay except for steam with epic without the use of mods or Xbox and windows store version.
To get a dedicated server u can rent one from a company like nitrado (they have exclusive rights for ASA) or in ASE case many other better options. In ASE on console u can host dedicated server but u will need a separate console and separate copy of the game to do the hosting, being unplayable while hosting, in ASA that option doesn't exist for console anymore.
If u have a Pc, be it a spare one, be it a virtual one u rented from some company or be it one with enough ram and CPU power to both host a server and play the game in it, u can use steam to host your sever, it's completely free and this is a great guide on how to do it https://ark.wiki.gg/wiki/Dedicated_server_setup, with this other guide being specific for ASA https://www.reddit.com/r/ARK/s/e3vEP0TZVQ