Knowledgebase

ARK : Survival Evolved setup guide

1. Make sure your server is stopped before making any change to your config files.

 

2. From your Server Manager Panel, you can access the Configuration Files Tab

Server Manager Panel

3. From the Configuration Files Tab, select the "Text Editor" of the GameUserSettings.ini file.

*The Configuration Editor doesn't include all the possible configurations. So please use the Text Editor to get access to all possible configurations.

GameUserSettings 

 

4. You will then have access to all the configs of your server. You can modify this file and make sure to save it before you leave.

ConfigFile

 

5. Here is a table to explain the meaning of each configs. When you are done, save your file and restart your server.

This list is also available here : https://ark.gamepedia.com/Server_Configuration

Option Value Type Default Effect
<map_name> string None (command line only) Specifies the map to use for gameplay
Note: This option is mandatory and must be the first option specified on the command line.Map options are TheIslandTheCenter (requires DLC), ScorchedEarth_P (requires DLC), Ragnarok (requires DLC), Aberration_P (requires DLC) and Extinction (requires DLC)
NOTE: A Mod map may have a different map name then here specified, check the modpage or contact the author of the mod for the exact name.
listen N/A None (command line only) Listen for (and accept) player connections from other systems
Note: This option is mandatory for multiplayer servers.
alwaysNotifyPlayerJoined boolean False Players will always get notified if someone joins the server
alwaysNotifyPlayerLeft boolean False Players will always get notified if someone leaves the server
allowThirdPersonPlayer boolean False Enables 3rd Person view
globalVoiceChat boolean False Voice chat turns global
ShowMapPlayerLocation boolean False Show each player their own precise position when they view their map
noTributeDownloads boolean False Disables downloading characters from other servers
proximityChat boolean False Only players near each other can see their chat messages
serverPVE boolean False Disables PvP, enables PvE
serverHardcore boolean False Enables hardcore mode (player characters revert to level 1 upon death)
serverForceNoHud boolean False HUD always disabled
bDisableStructureDecayPvE boolean False Disable the gradual (7 days) decay of player structures
Introduced in patch 173.0
DisableDinoDecayPvE boolean False Disable the gradual (7 days) decay of dinosaur ownership. Without this set to true, every dinosaur can be claimed by any player.
Introduced in patch 206.0
AllowFlyerCarryPvE boolean False Permit flying dinosaurs to pick up other dinosaurs and players when mounted by a player in PvE
Introduced in patch 173.0 but changed from bAllowFlyerCarryPVE to AllowFlyerCarryPVE
TheMaxStructuresInRange integer 10500 Specifies the maximum number of structures that can be constructed within a certain (currently hard-coded) range.
Introduced in patch 252.1 replacing the old value NewMaxStructuresInRange
bAllowPlatformSaddleMultiFloors boolean False Set to true to allow multiple platform floors.
Introduced in patch 260.0
MaxPlayers integer 70 Specifies the maximum number of players that can play on the server simultaneously. Must be placed under [/script/engine.gamesession] in GameUserSettings.ini to function when not used in the command line.
DifficultyOffset float 0.2 Specifies the difficulty level.
ServerPassword string None If specified, players must provide this password to join the server.
ServerAdminPassword string None If specified, players must provide this password (via the in-game console) to gain access to administrator commands on the server.
SpectatorPassword string None To use non-admin spectator, the server must specify a spectator password. Then any client can use these console commands: requestspectator <password> and stopspectating. See patch 191.0 for more information and hotkeys.
DayCycleSpeedScale float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the passage of time in the ARK, controlling how often day changes to night and night changes to day. The default value 1 provides the same cycle speed as the singleplayer experience (and the official public servers). Values lower than 1 slow down the cycle; higher values accelerate it. Base time when value is 1 appears to be 1 minute real time equals approx. 28 minutes game time. Thus, for an approximate 24 hour day/night cycle in game, use .035 for the value.
NightTimeSpeedScale float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the passage of time in the ARK during night time. This value determines the length of each night, relative to the length of each day (as specified by DayTimeSpeedScale. Lowering this value increases the length of each night.
DayTimeSpeedScale float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the passage of time in the ARK during the day. This value determines the length of each day, relative to the length of each night (as specified by NightTimeSpeedScale. Lowering this value increases the length of each day.
DinoDamageMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the damage dinosaurs deal with their attacks. The default value 1 provides normal damage. Higher values increase damage. Lower values decrease it.
PlayerDamageMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the damage players deal with their attacks. The default value 1 provides normal damage. Higher values increase damage. Lower values decrease it.
StructureDamageMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the damage structures deal with their attacks (i.e. spiked walls). The default value 1 provides normal damage. Higher values increase damage. Lower values decrease it.
PlayerResistanceMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the resistance to damage players receive when attacked. The default value 1provides normal damage. Higher values decrease resistance, increasing damage per attack. Lower values increase it, reducing damage per attack. A value of 0.5 results in a player taking half damage while a value of 2.0 would result in taking double normal damage.
DinoResistanceMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the resistance to damage dinosaurs receive when attacked. The default value 1provides normal damage. Higher values decrease resistance, increasing damage per attack. Lower values increase it, reducing damage per attack. A value of 0.5 results in a dino taking half damage while a value of 2.0 would result in a dino taking double normal damage.
StructureResistanceMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the resistance to damage structures receive when attacked. The default value 1provides normal damage. Higher values decrease resistance, increasing damage per attack. Lower values increase it, reducing damage per attack. A value of 0.5 results in a structure taking half damage while a value of 2.0 would result in a structure taking double normal damage.
XPMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the experience received by players, tribes and dinosaurs for various actions. The default value 1 provides the same amounts of experience as in the singleplayer experience (and official public servers). Higher values increase XP amounts awarded for various actions; lower values decrease it.
In 253.0 an additional hardcoded multiplier of 2 was activated.
PvEStructureDecayPeriodMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the decay rate of player structures in PvE mode. The specific effect(s) of this option and its range of valid values are unknown as of this writing.[1]
PvEStructureDecayDestructionPeriod   0 Specifies the time required for player structures to decay in PvE mode. The specific effect(s) of this option and its range of valid values are unknown as of this writing.[1]
PvEDinoDecayPeriodMultiplier float 1.0 ... Introduced in patch 206.0
TamingSpeedMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for dinosaur taming speed. Higher values make taming faster.
HarvestAmountMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for yields from all harvesting activities (chopping down trees, picking berries, carving carcasses, mining rocks, etc.). Higher values increase the amount of materials harvested with each strike.
HarvestHealthMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the "health" of items that can be harvested (trees, rocks, carcasses, etc.). Higher values increase the amount of damage (i.e. "number of strikes") such objects can withstand before being destroyed, which results in higher overall harvest yields.
MaxPlatformSaddleStructureLimit integer   Changes the maximum number of platformed-creatures/rafts allowed on the ARK (a potential performance cost)
Example: MaxPlatformSaddleStructureLimit=10 would only allow 10 platform saddles / rafts across the entire ark
Introduced in patch 212.1
PerPlatformMaxStructuresMultiplier float 1.0 Higher number increases (on a percentage scale) max number of items place-able on saddles and rafts
Example: PerPlatformMaxStructuresMultiplier=1.5
(added Patch 211.0)
ResourcesRespawnPeriodMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for the respawn rate for resource nodes (trees, rocks, bushes, etc.). Lower values cause nodes to respawn more frequently.
PlayerCharacterWaterDrainMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for player characters' water consumption. Higher values increase water consumption (player characters get thirsty faster).
PlayerCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for player characters' food consumption. Higher values increase food consumption (player characters get hungry faster).
PlayerCharacterStaminaDrainMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for player characters' stamina consumption. Higher values increase stamina consumption (player characters get tired faster).
PlayerCharacterHealthRecoveryMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for player characters' health recovery. Higher values increase the recovery rate (player characters heal faster).
DinoCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for dinosaurs' food consumption. Higher values increase food consumption (dinosaurs get hungry faster). It also affects the taming-times.
DinoCharacterStaminaDrainMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for dinosaurs' stamina consumption. Higher values increase stamina consumption (dinosaurs get tired faster).
DinoCharacterHealthRecoveryMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for dinosaurs' health recovery. Higher values increase the recovery rate (dinosaurs heal faster).
DinoCountMultiplier float 1.0 Specifies the scaling factor for dinosaur spawns. Higher values increase the number of dinosaurs spawned throughout the ARK.
AllowCaveBuildingPvE boolean False If set to True, allows building in caves when PvE mode is also enabled.
Introduced in patch 194.0
BanListURL URL "http://arkdedicated.com/banlist.txt" Use the official global ban list, or point to any online ban list that you want. Must be enclosed in double quotes. Before 279.233 the URL was http://playark.com/banlist.txt 
Introduced in patch 201.0
PvPStructureDecay boolean false Turns off structure decay on PvP servers.
TributeItemExpirationSeconds integer 86400 Set the expiration timer for uploaded items.
TributeDinoExpirationSeconds integer 86400 Set the expiration timer for uploaded dinos.
TributeCharacterExpirationSeconds integer 86400 Set the expiration timer for uploaded survivors.
AutoSavePeriodMinutes float 15.0 Set interval for automatic saves
NPCNetworkStasisRangeScalePlayerCountStart      
NPCNetworkStasisRangeScalePlayerCountEnd      
NPCNetworkStasisRangeScalePercentEnd float    
bUseCorpseLocator boolean false if set to true, you will see a green lightbeam at the location of your death
CrossARKAllowForeignDinoDownloads boolean false if set to true, you will be able to tribute download non-native creatures on the Aberration map
Introduced in patch 275.0
DisablePvEGamma boolean false Prevents use of console command "gamma" in PvE mode
Introduced in patch 207.0
EnablePvPGamma boolean false Allow use of console command "gamma" in PvP mode
Introduced in patch 174.3
TribeNameChangeCooldown integer 15 Cooldown, in minutes, in between tribe name changes
Introduced in patch 278.0
AllowHideDamageSourceFromLogs boolean false Allows the hiding of damage sources in tribe logs.
Introduced in patch 278.0
RandomSupplyCratePoints boolean false If true, supply drops are in random locations. NOTE: This setting is known to cause artifacts becoming inaccesable on [Ragnarok] if active
Introduced in patch 278.0
DisableWeatherFog boolean false If true, disables fog.
Introduced in patch 278.0
ActiveMods integer ModID Specifies the order and which mods are loaded, ModIDs need to be comma seperated and in one line 
Introduced in patch 190.0
AdminLogging boolean true logs all admin commands to ingame chat
Introduced in patch 206.0
ClampResourceHarvestDamage boolean false Limit the damage caused by a dino to a resource for harvesting.
Introduced in patch 182.0
ItemStackSizeMultiplier float 1.0 allow increasing or decreasing global item stack size, this means all default stacksizes will be multiplied by the value given 
Introduced in patch 291.100
PlatformSaddleBuildAreaBoundsMultiplier float 1.0 increasing the number allows structures being placed further away from the platform
MaxTamedDinos integer 4000 Sets the maximum number of tamed Dinos on a Server, this is a global cap.
Introduced in patch 191.0

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