If you’ve ever wanted to team up with a friend to tame dinosaurs, build fortified bases, and fight off raiders in Ark: Survival Evolved without joining a crowded public server, you’ve probably wondered how to play 2 player Ark. It’s one of the most requested gameplay modes for new and veteran players alike, since it lets you enjoy the game at your own pace without the chaos of 10+ person lobbies. I’ve spent dozens of hours testing both local split-screen and online 2 player modes across PC, console, and handheld platforms, so I’m breaking down everything you need to know to avoid common setup headaches and get straight to the fun.
How to Play 2 Player Ark: First-Time Setup for All Platforms
There are two core 2 player modes to choose from, depending on whether you and your partner are playing on the same device or separate ones. Local split-screen is the easiest option if you’re in the same physical space, while online non-dedicated servers work best for long-distance play. Both modes work across all supported platforms, though there are small differences in setup steps for PC vs. consoles. Before you launch the game, make sure you have all the required materials for your chosen mode to avoid wasting time troubleshooting mid-setup.
- For local split-screen: Two controllers (or one controller + keyboard/mouse on PC), a copy of Ark on the same device, and at least 8GB of free RAM to avoid lag during gameplay
- For online 2 player: Two separate copies of Ark, a stable internet connection with at least 10Mbps upload speed for the host, and both players linked as friends on your platform of choice
- For cross-platform 2 player: Confirm both copies support cross-play (Steam and Epic Games PC work together, but Xbox and PlayStation do not support cross-play with each other as of current updates)
Key Settings to Adjust Before Starting Your 2 Player Playthrough
Default Ark settings are built for single-player play, so you’ll need to tweak a few options to make 2 player mode run smoothly and feel fair for both players. These small adjustments will cut down on lag, eliminate annoying permission prompts, and let you explore more freely without frustrating restrictions. Turn off "host pauses game" in the server settings if you’re playing online 2 player so the host can step away to grab a snack or take a break without freezing the game for the second player. This is one of the most commonly missed settings, and it ruins a lot of first-time 2 player sessions. Next, adjust the tether distance for non-dedicated servers. The default limit is 300 meters, which means the second player gets pulled back to the host if they wander too far away. You can crank this up to 1500 meters on PC and 1000 meters on consoles to let both players explore further apart without issues. If you’re playing split-screen, drop your render distance to 60-70% of your usual single-player setting, since your device is rendering two separate views at once. Enable "shared tribe ownership" in the tribe settings so both players can build, tame, and access all storage without permission prompts every time they try to interact with a structure or item. You can also adjust the taming speed and resource collection rate to suit your playstyle – most 2 player groups bump these up to 2x or 3x the default to cut down on grind time.
Fun 2 Player Ark Playstyles to Try With Your Partner
One of the best parts of 2 player Ark is that you can customize your playthrough to match what you and your friend enjoy most, instead of being forced to follow the meta for large tribe play. You don’t have to rush through boss fights or grind for endgame gear if you don’t want to – there are tons of low-pressure ways to have fun together. The most popular playstyle for new 2 player groups is the builder + gatherer split. One player focuses on building a secure base, crafting tools, and managing crops and tamed dinosaur care, while the other goes out to gather resources, tame small to mid-tier dinosaurs, and scout for dangerous areas nearby. This split lets each person stick to what they enjoy, and it cuts down on duplicated work. If you want more of a challenge, try a PvE survival run with self-imposed rules, like no taming flying dinosaurs for the first 10 in-game days, or only using primitive tools until you beat the first boss. For players who love action, you can join a small PvP server as a two-person tribe, focus on building hidden bases, and raid small unprotected outposts before taking on larger groups. Splitting your skill point investments between the two of you will help you progress twice as fast as you would alone – for example, one player puts points into crafting and farming, while the other puts points into melee damage, stamina, and taming effectiveness. This way you unlock high-tier gear and tames much faster than you would if you both spread points across all skills.
Common 2 Player Ark Issues and Simple Fixes
Even with perfect setup, you might run into a few common issues when playing 2 player Ark. Most of these have quick fixes that don’t require any advanced technical knowledge, so you don’t have to cut your play session short to troubleshoot for hours. If you keep getting yanked back to the host even after increasing the tether limit, make sure the host hasn’t accidentally enabled “non-dedicated host tether” in the advanced settings, and confirm that both players are on the exact same game version. Outdated game versions are the most common cause of tether and connection issues. For split-screen lag on older consoles like PS4 or Xbox One, close all other background apps before launching Ark, and drop the resolution to 1080p instead of 4K to free up processing power. You can also turn off dynamic lighting and shadow effects to boost frame rate even more. If your friend can’t join your non-dedicated server, make sure both of you have the exact same mods installed (if you’re using mods), and that the host has their privacy settings set to “friends can join” in their platform settings. If all else fails, restart both the game and your internet router before trying again – 90% of connection issues are fixed with a simple restart, in my experience. If one player keeps losing their inventory when they log out, make sure they’re properly added to the tribe before they leave the server, not just listed as a guest.
At the end of the day, learning how to play 2 player Ark is all about finding a setup and playstyle that works for you and your partner, instead of stressing over perfect settings or optimal progression paths. Some of my favorite Ark memories are from 2 player playthroughs where my friend and I spent three in-game days trying to tame our first T-Rex, only to have it get eaten by a pack of raptors 10 minutes later. Don’t be afraid to mess around, adjust settings as you go, and prioritize fun over min-maxing every part of the game. Once you get past the initial setup hurdle, you’ll get way more out of the game playing with a friend than you ever would playing alone.