If you’ve downloaded ARK: Survival Evolved and felt rather overwhelmed for the first ten minutes, then you were never alone. Between angry dinosaurs to confusing mechanics to laggy public servers, it’s no surprise that many new players rage-quit before realizing how fun the game is.
Don’t worry! This beginner’s guide will look at everything, from what ARK Evolved really is to how to survive those first few days. And if you want to know how this stacks against the remade one, be sure to check out how ARK: Survival Ascended compares to ARK SE.
What Is ARK: Survival Evolved?
ARK: Survival Evolved (also known as ARK SE) is a sandbox survival game where you wake up half-naked on a mysterious island crawling with dinosaurs and other wild creatures. Your goal? Survive, evolve, and thrive. Think of it as Minecraft meets Jurassic Park… but way harder.
Players must gather resources, craft weapons, tame dinosaurs, build shelters, and fend off both environmental dangers and aggressive players (in multiplayer mode). The game offers single-player, PvE, PvP, and even modded experiences across various maps and game modes.
Key Features of ARK: Survival Evolved
| Feature | Description |
| Dinosaurs & Creatures | Tame, ride, and breed over 100 species. |
| Crafting & Building | Construct bases from simple huts to massive fortresses. |
| Multiplayer Modes | Join tribes, raid enemies, or team up in PvE. |
| Exploration | Discover caves, artifacts, and hidden bosses. |
| Mod Support | Customize gameplay with Steam Workshop mods. |
How to Start to Play in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Starting out in ARK: Survival Evolved may seem like being thrown into mayhem with no directions—and that’s pretty much how it feels. You’re hopped onto a wild island, with nothing in your pockets but your fists and a glowing implant in your arm. Crafting your first tools or avoiding death by dinosaur, you need to start making the best choices as a survivor on the fly. Here are some ark survival evolved starter guide and tips to help you ease into the game and get yourself on the right track for survival.
1. Download & Install
- Platforms: PC (Steam, Epic Games), PlayStation, Xbox, Mobile
- Download size: Almost 120 GB (varies with DLCs)
- Is ARK: Survival Evolved free? No, but it goes on sale often.
2. Choose Your Game Mode
- Single Player: Learn at your own pace.
- Online PvE: Cooperative survival with other players.
- Online PvP: Fight other tribes (can be brutal for beginners).
3. Pick the Right Map
- The Island – Best for beginners (balanced difficulty).
- Extinction, Ragnarok, Aberration – More challenging expansions.
4. Create a Local or Private Server
- Public servers can be toxic and laggy. Instead:
- Host your own ARK SE server with friends
- Or use a high-performance gaming VPS like Cloudzy’s ARK VPS hosting for a lag-free, mod-supporting experience.
Essential Tips for Surviving Your First Days
You’ve spawned on the beach. You’re cold, hungry, and confused. Here’s what you need to do:
| Step | What to Do | Why It Matters |
| 1. Gather Resources Fast | Punch trees and wood. Pick up stones, fiber, and berries. | You need materials to craft tools, build shelter, and stay alive. |
| 2. Craft Basic Tools | Make a Stone Pick, Hatchet, Campfire, and Spear. | Tools speed up gathering, let you cook food, and defend yourself. |
| 3. Build Shelter Before Night | Construct a thatch hut with walls, roof, and door. | Protects you from cold, weather, and predators. Upgrade to wood later. |
| 4. Tame Small Creatures | Start with Dodos, then tame Dilophosaurs using bolas. | Early tames help gather resources and defend against threats. |
| 5. Learn Key Engrams | Prioritize Campfire, Spear, and Bed. | Ensures warmth, defense, and a reliable respawn point. |
| 6. Watch Your Stats | Monitor food, water, stamina, and temperature. | Neglecting stats leads to death from starvation, cold, or exhaustion. |
| 7. Avoid These Mistakes | Don’t fight large dinos, wander too far, or ignore stats. | Staying cautious prevents early and unnecessary deaths. |
How to Play ARK Survival Evolved Game with Friends?
ARK: Survival Evolved is so much more enjoyable when you’re playing with friends, but public servers can be completely ruthless—overcrowded, laggy, and you never know when someone might come along and wreck your hard work. If you’re wanting a flow and more controlled experience, you need to start with the right foot.
Option 1: Join a Private Server
- Look for beginner-friendly unofficial servers with rules against griefing.
Option 2: Host Your Own Server
- ARK VPS hosting (like Cloudzy) gives you full control, zero lag, and mod support.
- Avoid public server performance issues by running a dedicated server.
Best Servers for ARK Survival Evolved
To help you in finding the perfect ARK community, I have curated a list of some of the best unofficial servers available today and categorized them. You will find unique rules, mods, and communities geared towards different styles of play—so you can bypass the guessing and hop straight in.
| Server Type | Recommended Servers | Playstyle | Key Features |
| Competitive PvP | Astro PvP South Division |
Hardcore PvP | Fast-paced raiding, high-stakes gameplay |
| Balanced PvPvE | Elite Ark MTS Ark More Than Survivors |
Hybrid survival | PvP zones with PvE safe areas |
| Roleplay/Community | Ethereal Dominion SquirtleArk |
Immersive RP | Lore-friendly, tribe politics, events |
| Casual/Boosted | FiberCraft | Relaxed gameplay | Instant crafting, fast taming |
Conclusion
ARK: Survival Evolved is more than just a survival game—it’s an epic journey filled with danger, discovery, and dinosaurs. Once you understand the basics and start building your tribe, taming your first creatures, and crafting powerful gear, it becomes one of the most rewarding games out there.
If you enjoy PvE exploration, intense PvP battles, or just want to build the ultimate base, starting with the right server setup makes all the difference. Also, if you are still unsure which version to use? Check out our comparison of ARK SA vs SE to make the best choice for your gameplay.
