ARK Survival Evolved: how to change server settings

ARK: Survival Evolved is a complex game that offers players the ability to customize their gameplay experience through various server settings. Whether you’re a server owner or a player, understanding how to change these settings can enhance your gaming experience, making it more enjoyable and tailored to your preferences. This guide will walk you through the different methods for modifying server settings, from editing configuration files to using command line arguments, and provide tips for advanced settings and player management.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding how to access and modify the GameUserSettings.ini file is crucial for customizing your ARK server settings.
• Using command line arguments can offer quick and efficient ways to adjust server parameters and troubleshoot issues.
• Advanced settings allow for fine-tuning gameplay elements such as difficulty levels, specific features, and server performance optimization.

Modifying Server Configuration Files

Accessing the GameUserSettings.ini File

To start modifying your ARK server settings, the first step is finding your active server and locating the GameUserSettings.ini file. This file contains all the default server settings that you can change. Here’s how you can access it:

1. Head to your server’s control panel and stop the server.
2. On the left-hand side of the page, click on Config Files.
3. Locate and click on the GameUserSettings.ini file.
4. Once opened, you’ll see all the default ARK server settings that you can modify.

Editing the GameUserSettings.ini File

After accessing the GameUserSettings.ini file, you can start editing the settings. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the location /ark/ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ in your FTP File Access.
2. Locate the GameUserSettings.ini file and click to edit it.
3. Find the settings you wish to change and adjust them accordingly.

Remember, change the values and adding new settings is not common knowledge among server owners, which can be troublesome. Apex Hosting makes it easier for you with their Config Files panel feature.

Saving and Applying Changes

Once you’ve made the necessary changes to the GameUserSettings.ini file, it’s crucial to save and apply these changes correctly. Here’s how:

1. After making your changes, press Save & Close.
2. Exit your FTP and restart your server.
3. Ensure that the new configurations are imported into the profile before re-saving if you’re using a server manager.

By following these steps, you can effectively modify your ARK server settings to better suit your gameplay preferences.

Using Command Line Arguments

Common Command Line Arguments

When running a dedicated server for ARK: Survival Evolved, you can specify various runtime options via command line arguments. These options can significantly alter the server’s behavior and performance. Command line arguments are divided into two types: server settings and startup arguments. Server settings start with a ? character and can be appended directly after one another, while startup arguments start with a - character and must be noted separately.

Here are some common command line arguments you might use:

• -server: Launches the game in server mode.
• -USEALLAVAILABLECORES: Utilizes all CPU cores for better performance.
• -usecache: Speeds up loading times by caching data.
• ?PreventOfflinePvP=true: Enables offline raiding prevention.
• ?PvEAllowStructuresAtSupplyDrops=true: Allows building near supply drop points in PvE mode.

Applying Command Line Arguments

To apply command line arguments, you need to modify the server’s launch parameters. This can be done through the server’s hosting interface or by editing the launch script directly. Follow these steps:

1. Open your server’s hosting interface or locate the launch script file.
2. Add the desired command line arguments to the launch parameters. For example:

   ShooterGameServer.exe TheIsland?listen?SessionName=MyServer?ServerPassword=123 -server -USEALLAVAILABLECORES
   

3. Save the changes and restart the server to apply the new settings.

Troubleshooting Command Line Issues

If you encounter issues with command line arguments, consider the following troubleshooting tips:

• Check Syntax: Ensure that the syntax of your command line arguments is correct. Misplaced characters or incorrect formatting can cause errors.
• Compatibility: Some command line arguments may not be compatible with certain server configurations or game versions. Verify compatibility before applying them.
• Logs: Review the server logs for any error messages related to command line arguments. This can provide insights into what might be going wrong.

Remember, improper use of command line arguments can lead to unexpected server behavior. Always double-check your settings and make backups before making significant changes.

Advanced Server Settings

Adjusting Difficulty Levels

To tweak the difficulty levels on your ARK server, you can use the ?OverrideOfficialDifficulty setting. This allows you to override the default server difficulty level of 4 with a higher value, such as 5, to match the new official server difficulty level. This setting is crucial for players seeking a more challenging experience.

Enabling and Disabling Specific Features

ARK offers a plethora of server settings to enable or disable specific features. For instance, you can use ?PreventOfflinePvP=true to enable offline raiding prevention or ?PreventDiseases=true to completely disable diseases on the server. Here are some common settings:

• ?PreventOfflinePvP=true: Enables offline raiding prevention.
• ?PreventDiseases=true: Disables diseases.
• ?PvEAllowStructuresAtSupplyDrops=true: Allows building near supply drop points in PvE mode.
• ?ShowFloatingDamageText=true: Enables RPG-style popup text stat mode.

Optimizing Server Performance

Optimizing your ARK server’s performance can significantly enhance the gameplay experience. One effective way is to use the -USEALLAVAILABLECORES command line argument, which ensures that all CPU cores are utilized. Additionally, the -usecache option can speed up loading times by approximately 70%. Here are some tips for optimization:

1. Use -USEALLAVAILABLECORES to utilize all CPU cores.
2. Enable -usecache for faster loading speeds.
3. Consider -nomemorybias to reduce memory usage by about 600 MB system and 600 MB GPU RAM.

Properly optimizing your server can make a significant difference in performance, especially for larger player bases.

For more detailed information on server settings, you can refer to the [ark server: best ark server hosts compared (2024) – dedicated gaming servers website comparing top hosting providers for ARK: Survival Evolved. features game details, developer info, and server options.](https://ark.fandom.com/wiki/ARK:_Survival_Evolved).

Managing Player and Dino Settings

Taming and Breeding Rates

Adjusting taming and breeding rates can significantly impact your gameplay experience. You can modify these settings in the GameUserSettings.ini file. For example, increasing the taming speed multiplier will allow you to tame creatures faster, making it easier to build your army of dinos. Similarly, adjusting the breeding interval and maturation speed can help you manage your dino population more efficiently.

Health and Stamina Adjustments

Player and dino health and stamina are crucial for survival. You can tweak these settings to make the game more challenging or easier, depending on your preference. For instance, you can increase the health per level for players and dinos by modifying the PerLevelStatsMultiplier_Player[7] and PerLevelStatsMultiplier_DinoTamed[0] settings. This allows for more resilient characters and creatures, enhancing your gameplay.

Day/Night Cycle and Weather Patterns

The day/night cycle and weather patterns can greatly affect your gameplay. You can adjust the length of days and nights, as well as the frequency and intensity of weather events. These settings can be found in the GameUserSettings.ini file. For example, you can make nights shorter and days longer to have more daylight for exploration and resource gathering.

Fine-tuning these settings can create a more immersive and enjoyable experience, tailored to your playstyle. Whether you prefer longer days for exploration or more frequent weather events for added challenge, the choice is yours.

Conclusion

Changing server settings in ARK: Survival Evolved allows players and server administrators to tailor the gameplay experience to their preferences. Whether it’s adjusting difficulty levels, enabling or disabling specific game mechanics, or optimizing performance, the flexibility provided by the game’s configuration options ensures a customizable and engaging environment. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily locate and modify the necessary files to achieve your desired server setup. Experiment with different settings to find the perfect balance that enhances your ARK adventure.