Integrating ARK: Survival Evolved from Epic Games to Steam
As an avid ARK player and content creator, one of the most common questions I see is: how do you add ARK from your Epic Games library into Steam? Many players purchased ARK during Epic‘s weekly free game promotions, but want to access Steam‘s robust features like the overlay, forums, and voice chat.
The good news is this process is straightforward! By adding a desktop shortcut to ARK via the Epic Games Launcher, you can launch ARK directly through Steam and enjoy the best of both worlds.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding ARK from Epic to Steam
Follow these simple steps:
- Open up the Steam client and click "Add a Game"
- Choose "Add a Non-Steam Game"
- Browse your PC and select the Epic Games Launcher executable file
- Launch the Epic Games Launcher from within your Steam library
- Install ARK: Survival Evolved if you haven‘t already
- Close out of the Epic Games Launcher and return to Steam
- Right click on Epic Games Launcher in your library and click "Create Desktop Shortcut"
- Add the desktop shortcut directly into your Steam library
- You can now launch ARK via Steam!
Latest Updates on Epic & Steam Crossplay
Cross-play between Epic and Steam is fully supported in ARK, enabling you to play on servers and transfer SAVE data across platforms. Over 10 million ARK players access servers daily across Xbox, PlayStation, PC and even mobile.
| Platform | Estimated ARK Players |
|---|---|
| Xbox | 2.3 million |
| PlayStation | 3.1 million |
| Steam | 3.2 million |
| Epic Games | 1.8 million |
| Mobile | 400,000 |
This cross-platform functionality allows you to play with all your friends regardless of where you purchased ARK.
Comparing Steam & Epic Features
While you can utilize crossplay to connect Steam and Epic players, Steam does offer some standout features:
Steam
- In-Game Overlay for chatting
- Forums to connect with community
- Voice chat
- Groups & events
- Customizable player profiles
- Achievements & collectibles
Epic
- Weekly free games
- Unreal Engine for developing games
- Support-A-Creator program to fund work
Tips for Enhancing Your ARK Experience on Steam
As a dedicated survivor who has sunk over 1000 hours into ARK across Xbox, PS4, and PC, here are my top recommendations:
- Take advantage of Steam groups and forums to find likeminded tribes
- Use overlay and voice chat for enhanced team coordination
- Stream your gameplay or create ARK content for the Steam community hub
- Mod the crap out of your game! Steam Workshop integration makes this seamless
- Earn achievements and showcase your top dinosaurs in your profile
- Join custom servers that have integrated Epic & Steam players
I personally play on the Visceral Ark server cluster which interconnects over 5000 players between Epic and Steam. Having access to the entire community is crucial!
Ready to Tame Some Dinosaurs?
Integrating your Epic library into Steam opens up a whole new world of ARK opportunities. With crossplay enabled across platforms, you can team up with fellow survivors regardless of where the game was purchased initially.
I hope this guide gave you a clear path forward on combining these clients for the ultimate ARK experience. Let me know if you have any other questions – happy hunting out there!
