How to Set Your ARK Server Name and Message of the Day
Set a memorable server name that appears in the browser and configure a Message of the Day that greets every player on join. Both are simple ini settings.
Where These Settings Go
Both the server name and MOTD are configured in GameUserSettings.ini. Stop your server, edit the file, save, then start it back up.
File location:
ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini
Server Name
The session name is what shows up in the Steam server browser, the ARK in-game browser, and BattleMetrics. It is the first thing potential players see.
[SessionSettings]
SessionName=My Awesome ARK Server
Tips for a good server name:
- Include the server type so players know what they are joining:
[PvP][10x] Ragnarok | No Alliances | Wiped 4/20 - Keep it under 128 characters — that is the enforced maximum
- Include your Discord or wipe date if you want that info visible before players even click
Message of the Day
The MOTD shows up as a pop-up dialog box when a player first loads into the server. It is ideal for rules, Discord links, wipe dates, and anything you want every new joiner to see.
[ServerSettings]
MessageOfTheDay=Welcome to My ARK Server! Rules: No griefing new players. Discord: discord.gg/yourlink
The MOTD appears once per session — players see it when they join, but not again unless they disconnect and reconnect.
What to put in your MOTD:
- Discord server link
- Brief server rules (2-3 key rules max — keep it readable)
- Current wipe date or upcoming wipe date
- Any active events or rate boosts
Formatting notes:
- Plain text only — no color codes, no BBCode, no markdown
- Keep it short enough to read at a glance; players dismiss the box fast
- You can use
\nfor a line break in some ARK versions, but it is not consistent across all clients — test it after setting
Applying Changes
After editing both values:
- Save the file
- Restart the server
- Join the server yourself to confirm the name and MOTD look correct
Server name changes take effect immediately on restart. The new name will propagate to the server browser within a few minutes.
Updating MOTD Without a Full Restart
If you need to push a quick MOTD-style message to all currently connected players without restarting, use the RCON Broadcast command:
Broadcast Heads up: server restarting in 15 minutes for maintenance!
This is not the same as the MOTD (it is a temporary on-screen notification, not a persistent pop-up), but it is useful for real-time announcements.
Example Config Block
[SessionSettings]
SessionName=[PvE][5x] The Island | Wiped 4/20 | discord.gg/example
[ServerSettings]
MessageOfTheDay=Welcome! This is a 5x PvE server. Rules at discord.gg/example. No offline raiding. Have fun!