**Purpose**:
This document outlines some of the prerequisites as well as deployment process for an ARK: Survival Ascended Server

## Prerequisites
We need to install the Visual C++ Redistributable for both x86 and x64

- [Download Visual C++ Redistributable (x64)](https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe)
- [Download Visual C++ Redistributable (x86)](https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x86.exe)


## Run Unreal Engine Certificate Trust Script
There is an issue where if you run a dedicated server, part of that requires API access to Epic Games and that will not work without installing a few certificates.  The original Github page can be found [here](https://github.com/Ch4r0ne/UnrealEngine_Dedicated_Server_Install_CA/tree/main), which details the reason for it in more detail.

!!! note "Run as Administrator"
    You need to run the command as an administrator.  This command will download the script automatically and temporarily bypass the script execution policy to run the script:
    ```
    PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "irm 'https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ch4r0ne/UnrealEngine_Dedicated_Server_Install_CA/main/Install_Certificate.ps1' | iex"
    ```

## SteamCMD Deployment Script
You will need to make a folder somewhere on the computer, such as the desktop, and name it something like "ARK Updater", then put the following script into it.  You will need to run this script before you can proceed to the next step.

```jsx title="C:\Users\nicole.rappe\Desktop\ARK_Updater\Update_Server.bat"
@echo off
set STEAMCMDDIR="C:\SteamCMD\"
set SERVERDIR="C:\ASAServer\"
set ARKAPPID=2430930
cd /d %STEAMCMDDIR%
del steamcmd.exe
timeout /t 5 /nobreak
curl -o steamcmd.zip https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd.zip
powershell Expand-Archive -Path .\steamcmd.zip -DestinationPath .\
start "" /wait steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir "%SERVERDIR%" +login anonymous +app_update %ARKAPPID% validate +quit
exit
```

## Launch Script
Now you need to configure a launch script to actually start the dedicated server.  This can be placed anywhere, but I suggest putting it into `C:\asaserver\ShooterGame\Saved` along with the world save data.

```jsx title="C:\asaserver\ShooterGame\Saved\Launch_Server.bat"
@echo off
start C:\asaserver\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64\ArkAscendedServer.exe ScorchedEarth_WP?listen?SessionName=BunnyLab?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?ServerPassword=SomethingSecure?ServerAdminPassword=SomethingVerySecure -WinLiveMaxPlayers=50 -log -crossplay-enable-pc -crossplay-enable-wingdk -mods=928548,928621,928597,928818,929543,937546,930684,930404,940022,941697,930851,948051,932365,929420,967786,930494
exit
```

!!! tip "Adding Mods"
    When you are adding mods, you will notice they are found on [CurseForge](https://www.curseforge.com/ark-survival-ascended).   When you are looking for the mod ID, it is actually listed under CurseForge as the `Project ID`.  Just copy that number and put it in a comma-separated list such as what is seen in the example above.