So, you're ready to team up with your buddies in the wild world of ARK: Survival Evolved on PC? Awesome! Playing with friends makes the game way more fun, whether you're building a base, taming dinos, or battling other players. But getting everyone into the same game can be a little tricky if you're not sure how. Don't worry, guys, this guide will walk you through all the different ways to invite your friends to your ARK adventure on PC.

Joining via Steam

One of the easiest ways to get your friends into your ARK game is through Steam. This method works great if you're already friends on Steam and want to jump into a non-dedicated session or a dedicated server. Here's how you do it:

1. Make sure you're friends on Steam: This might seem obvious, but you can't invite someone who isn't on your Steam friends list. If you haven't already, send them a friend request. Once they accept, you're good to go.
2. Launch ARK: Survival Evolved: Fire up the game and get to the main menu. You don't need to be in a game already; you can invite friends from the main menu.
3. Invite through Steam: There are a couple of ways to do this. The first is through the Steam overlay. While in the ARK main menu (or in-game), press Shift+Tab to bring up the Steam overlay. From there, click on "Friends." Find the friend you want to invite, right-click on their name, and select "Invite to Game." Alternatively, if you are already in the game, you can hit the Esc key, and then Invite Friends; this will again bring up your Steam friends list, and you can invite from there.
4. Your friend accepts: Your friend will receive an invitation through Steam. Once they accept, the game should launch for them (if it's not already running) and automatically connect them to your server or non-dedicated session. Keep in mind that for non-dedicated sessions, you need to be in the game first for them to join.

Why This Method Rocks:

• Super Convenient: If you're already using Steam, this is the quickest and easiest way to get your friends playing with you.
• No Server Info Needed: Your friends don't need to know the server IP address or any other technical details. Steam handles all the connection stuff automatically.
• Works for Non-Dedicated Sessions: Perfect for playing with a few friends without needing to rent a dedicated server.

Potential Hiccups:

• Steam Issues: If Steam is acting up, invites might not go through. Make sure Steam is running correctly and that both you and your friend have a stable internet connection.
• Firewall Problems: Sometimes, firewalls can block Steam invites. Ensure your firewall isn't blocking ARK or Steam.
• Game Version Mismatch: Make sure you and your friend are running the same version of ARK. Updates can sometimes cause compatibility issues.

Joining a Dedicated Server

If you're playing on a dedicated server (either one you're renting or running yourself), the process is slightly different. Dedicated servers are great for larger groups of players and offer better performance and stability compared to non-dedicated sessions. Here’s how your friends can join:

1. Get the Server Information: This is crucial. Your friend needs to know the server's IP address and port number. If there's a password, they'll need that too. You, as the server host or admin, will need to provide them with this information.
2. Launch ARK: Survival Evolved: Again, start up the game and get to the main menu.
3. Join the Server: On the main menu, click on "Join ARK." This will bring up a list of available servers. In the bottom left, change the "Session Filter" to "Unofficial." This will show you the dedicated servers.
4. Find the Server: Use the search bar to look for your server. You can search by name if you know it. If not, you might have to scroll through the list until you find it. You can also filter by map type to narrow down the results.
5. Enter the Password (If Required): If the server has a password, you'll be prompted to enter it before joining. Make sure your friend has the correct password.
6. Join the Game: Once you've found the server and entered the password (if needed), click "Join." The game will connect your friend to the server, and they'll be able to create a new character or download an existing one.

Why This Method Rocks:

• Stable Gameplay: Dedicated servers offer better performance and stability, especially with more players.
• Persistent World: The server runs 24/7, so the game world is always there, even when you're not playing.
• Customization: Dedicated servers often have custom settings and mods, adding extra layers of fun to the game.

Potential Hiccups:

• Incorrect Server Information: The most common issue is entering the wrong IP address, port number, or password. Double-check everything to make sure it's correct.
• Server Downtime: Dedicated servers can sometimes go offline for maintenance or updates. If the server isn't showing up, it might be temporarily unavailable.
• Mod Conflicts: If the server uses mods, make sure your friend has the same mods installed and that they're up to date. Mismatched mods can cause connection problems or crashes.

Using the In-Game Tribe System

Once your friends are in the game, you'll probably want to team up in a tribe. Tribes are essential for building bases, sharing resources, and coordinating attacks. Here’s how to invite your friends to your tribe:

1. Be the Tribe Admin or Have Permissions: To invite someone to your tribe, you need to be the tribe admin or have the necessary permissions. If you're not the admin, ask them to give you invite privileges.
2. Approach Your Friend: Get close to the player you want to invite. You need to be within a reasonable distance to interact with them.
3. Open the Player Interaction Menu: Look directly at your friend’s character and press the E key (or your designated interaction key). This will bring up a menu with various options.
4. Invite to Tribe: In the interaction menu, you should see an option that says "Invite to Tribe." Click on it.
5. Your Friend Accepts: Your friend will receive an invitation to join your tribe. Once they accept, they'll become a member of your tribe and gain access to shared resources and structures.

Why This Method Rocks:

• Easy Team Management: Tribes make it easy to coordinate with your friends and work together towards common goals.
• Shared Resources: Tribe members can share resources, making it easier to build and survive.
• Base Protection: Tribe members can help defend your base and protect it from enemy players and dinos.

Potential Hiccups:

• Permissions Issues: If you don't have the necessary permissions, you won't be able to invite anyone to the tribe. Make sure you have the correct privileges.
• Proximity Problems: You need to be close enough to the player to invite them. If you're too far away, the "Invite to Tribe" option won't appear.
• Tribe Limit: Some servers have a limit on the number of players that can be in a tribe. If your tribe is full, you won't be able to invite anyone else.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don't go as planned, and you might run into issues when trying to invite your friends. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

• Unable to Connect to Server:
  • Check Internet Connection: Make sure you and your friend have a stable internet connection.
  • Verify Server Information: Double-check the server IP address, port number, and password.
  • Firewall Issues: Ensure your firewall isn't blocking ARK or Steam.
  • Game Version Mismatch: Make sure you and your friend are running the same version of ARK.
• Steam Invites Not Working:
  • Restart Steam: Sometimes, simply restarting Steam can fix the issue.
  • Check Steam Status: Make sure Steam isn't experiencing any outages or maintenance.
  • Re-add Friends: Try removing and re-adding your friend on Steam.
• Mods Causing Problems:
  • Update Mods: Ensure all your mods are up to date.
  • Verify Mod Order: Make sure your mods are loaded in the correct order.
  • Remove Conflicting Mods: If you suspect a mod is causing problems, try removing it and see if that fixes the issue.
• Game Crashing:
  • Verify Game Files: Use Steam to verify the integrity of your game files.
  • Update Drivers: Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date.
  • Lower Graphics Settings: Try lowering your graphics settings to improve performance.

Final Thoughts

Playing ARK: Survival Evolved with friends is an absolute blast. Whether you're exploring the vast landscapes, taming powerful dinosaurs, or building epic bases, everything is better with your buddies by your side. By following this guide, you should have no problem inviting your friends to your ARK adventure on PC. So gather your tribe, gear up, and get ready to conquer the ARK!

Happy Surviving!