Ardem Server Hosting: What We Know and How to Prepare
Ardem is an upcoming open-world survival game from Techtive Games. As of 1 November 2026 it has not launched: Steam lists it as Coming Soon to Early Access with a 2027 target, and the developers say servers will hold up to 64 players with PvE, PvP and roleplay options. No dedicated server files, configuration reference or port list have been published that we could find.
That gap matters. Plenty of pages already promise "Ardem server specs" and settings, and none of that can be checked. This guide separates what the developer has actually said from what is still unknown, then covers how to get a community ready in ways that will hold true whatever the final server tools look like.
- Confirmed by the developer: open-world survival, a handcrafted 64 km² map, persistent world, up to 64 players per server, PvE, PvP and roleplay modes, PC on Steam.
- Release: Steam lists Early Access for 2027. The October 15, 2026 public playtest was withdrawn in late September and no new date has been announced.
- Not published: dedicated server software, config files, ports, server hardware requirements, mod support and wipe policy. Treat anyone quoting these as guessing.
- You can prepare now: size your community by peak concurrent players, pick an admin team, decide rules per mode and set up a backup habit.
- ChicagoServers has an Ardem waitlist if you want to hear when hosting is available.
On this page
What is confirmed about Ardem
These details come from the Steam store page, the developer's website and developer press material:
- Developer and publisher: Techtive Games, an indie studio whose founders have modded Elder Scrolls games since 2008. Earlier press material says the game is built on Unreal Engine 5.
- Genre and setting: an open-world survival game set after a virus outbreak. Players gather resources, build shelters, repair vehicles, restore electricity and farm, hunt or fish. The developer says player actions permanently change the world.
- The map: a handcrafted (not procedural) map of about 64 km², with the developer saying it will expand over time. The website calls the setting Minnowa.
- Multiplayer: single-player, co-op and online play. Online servers hold up to 64 players, and the Steam page says players can host their own servers and choose PvE, PvP or Roleplay. The website says the world is persistent and evolves while you are offline.
- Platform: PC through Steam. Windows 10/11 64-bit is the listed OS.
Ardem release date and playtest status
The timeline has moved, so treat any older article with caution. As of 2026-11-01:
- Closed technical playtests began on 31 August 2026 in small waves, with invitations rather than open access.
- A public playtest called Protocol: The Outbreak was planned for 15 October 2026. Reporting based on Techtive's Steam announcement says that date was withdrawn on 28 September to do more stability work on the persistent multiplayer world. No new date has been given.
- The Steam page lists the Early Access release as 2027. The developers describe their under-two-year development goal as "a target, not a promise".
- Early Access is expected to be priced lower than full release, according to the Steam page.
Some pages on the official site may still show the old October date, so the Steam announcements and the store page are the best places to check before you plan around anything.
What is not public yet
| Question admins ask | Status as of 2026-11-01 |
|---|---|
| Max players per server | Up to 64, per the developer. The marketing site also says "64+" in one place, so confirm at launch |
| PvE, PvP and roleplay servers | Stated by the developer. Roleplay was not available in the 2024 alpha |
| Self-hosted or dedicated server files | Steam says players can host their own servers. No download, tooling or documentation published |
| Config file names and settings | Not published |
| Ports | Not published |
| Server RAM, CPU and disk needs | Not published |
| Mod or plugin support | Not published |
| Wipe schedule and world persistence rules | Not published beyond "persistent world" |
| Regions and official servers | Closed tests included servers outside the US and Europe; no final plan published |
Until the developer releases server documentation, any hosting company quoting exact specs, slot prices or settings for Ardem is estimating. That includes us: the honest position is that there is nothing to configure yet.
How to prepare your community for a new survival game
Everything below applies to any persistent PvE, PvP or roleplay survival server, so it stays useful whatever Ardem ships with.
- Plan slots from real numbers. Count how many people are online at the same time in your Discord on a busy evening, not total members. A server capped at 64 that regularly sits at 15 players feels dead, while one that fills every night is a queue problem. Start at the size you can keep lively and grow.
- Pick the mode first. PvE, PvP and roleplay communities need different rules, moderation and onboarding. Decide which you are building before you choose a name or announce a date.
- Build an admin team early. Three to five trusted people across time zones beats one overloaded owner. Agree who handles bans, who handles tickets and who touches server settings. Hosts that support sub-user access let you give each person only the access they need.
- Write the rules and the wipe expectations down. Even before launch, tell players how you will handle griefing, cheating reports, base claims and any eventual wipes.
- Make backups a habit, not an event. A persistent world is the product. Decide how often you back up, who restores, and test a restore. The backup habit is yours to build.
- Use the playtests. Closed and public tests are the cheapest way to learn how the game plays with a group, which activities need rules and how your players behave under load.
Questions to ask any host before ordering an Ardem server
- Is the server software published by the developer, and which version will you run?
- What happens to my world and settings if the developer wipes during Early Access?
- Can I get file access (SFTP) and a console, so I can edit configs and restart myself?
- How are backups handled and can I restore one myself?
- Is there a trial or refund window, in case the game does not suit my group?
For Ardem specifically, none of that can be confirmed until there is server software to run, which is why there is a waitlist rather than an order button.
Join the Ardem waitlist
Hosting with ChicagoServers? The Ardem server hosting page lists what is included, such as free server backups and SFTP file access. It does not lock in a date or specification, because none has been published. Meanwhile, the most useful things you can do are keep an eye on the Steam page for the next playtest announcement and keep your community warm.
Frequently asked questions
When does Ardem come out?
Steam lists Early Access for 2027 and the developers call their development timeline a target, not a promise. The October 2026 public playtest was withdrawn and no replacement date has been announced as of 2026-11-01.
How many players can an Ardem server hold?
The Steam page and developer site say up to 64 players per server. The developer's marketing site also uses "64+" in one place, so confirm at release.
Can I host my own Ardem dedicated server yet?
Steam says players can host their own servers, but no server software, setup documentation or config reference has been published that we could find. Check the Steam page and the developer's Discord for announcements.
Will Ardem support mods?
Mod support has not been announced as far as we can find. Techtive's founders come from a modding background, but that is not a commitment.