ARK: Survival Evolved

Overview

Release Date: August 29, 2017

Platform: PC (Steam), PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile

Engine: Unreal Engine 4.27+

Status: Mature & Stable

Max Players: Unlimited (hardware dependent)

System Requirements

Minimum

OS: Windows 7/8/10/11 64-bit
CPU: i5-4590
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 160GB SSD
Connection: 30Mbps upload

Installation Guide

1

Download Server Files

Download ARK server files from Steam (160GB+)

2

Configure Server

Edit GameUserSettings.ini, Engine.ini, and Game.ini

3

Setup Port Forwarding

Forward UDP ports 27015 (game) and 27016 (query)

4

Start Server

Execute ShooterGameServer.exe or use control panel

Server Configuration

[/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode]

ServerPassword=YourPassword

ServerAdminPassword=AdminPassword

MaxPlayers=70

DinoDamageMultiplier=1.0

PlayerDamageMultiplier=1.0

# Taming Settings

TamingSpeedMultiplier=1.0

DinoCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier=1.0

Common Bugs & Issues

Save File Corruption

Server crash during save cycle. Keep multiple backups and stagger save times.

Memory Leaks

Common with long uptimes. Schedule weekly restarts.

Mod Conflicts

Loading 100+ mods can cause crashes. Test slowly and use community mod lists.

Taming Failures

Creature tame lost due to server crash. Use save backups strategically.

Troubleshooting

Server Crashes Frequently

Check available RAM and disk space
Update server files to latest version
Disable recently added mods
Lower max player count

Players Report Lag

Reduce DinoCountMultiplier
Disable server-side physics on less important structures
Increase server update rate in config
Monitor CPU usage during peak hours

Performance Optimization

Server Tweaks

Set MaxStructuresInRange to prevent lag
Reduce creature spawn intervals
Disable weather effects
Increase SaveInterval to reduce I/O

🖥️ Hardware Setup

Use dedicated NVMe SSD
Allocate 12GB+ RAM to server
Use high-end CPU for rendering
Monitor temperatures regularly

Modding Community

ARK has the largest mod ecosystem with 1000+ community mods on Steam Workshop.

Popular Mods

S+ structures, Eco Mods, Dino Tracker, Better Leadership

Total Conversion

Ragnarok, The Center, Extinction, Genesis maps

Advanced Troubleshooting

Save File Corruption & Data Recovery

// Check save file integrity
// Location: ark_server/ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/
-rw-r--r-- 1 ark ark 450M TheIsland.ark
-rw-r--r-- 1 ark ark 3.2K TheIsland.ark.bak

// Repair corrupted save
1. Stop server
2. Copy .ark file to backup location
3. Restore from .bak file if .ark corrupted
4. Restart server

// Monitor for corruption signs
grep -i "corrupt\|corrupt" ark_server/ShooterGame/Saved/Logs/*.log

Save Won't Load: Restore from backup .ark.bak or last known good save
Missing Dinos/Structures: Possible save corruption from hard shutdown, check backup logs
Tribe Data Lost: Verify SQL database (if using RCON), restore from ark_server backup
World Position Resets: Check memory exhaustion during save, increase RAM allocation

Memory Leaks & Garbage Collection Tuning

# ark_server startup parameters
./ShooterGameServer TheIsland \
  -server -log \
  -MaxPlayers=70 \
  -usedynamicsettings=True \
  -noconsole \
  -gc modeoff # Disable GC for consistent performance

# GameUserSettings.ini optimization
[/Script/Engine.Engine]
MaxObjRootSetSize=300000
GCHistorySize=8
PoolSize=120

Server Crashes After Hours: Check memory growth rate, reduce passive dino count
Freezes During GC: Disable default GC (-gc modeoff), use manual low-traffic period GC
Actor Spawning Failures: Monitor pool exhaustion, reduce structure/dino density
Stalled Saves: Increase PoolSize, reduce MaxObjRootSetSize if needed

Mod Compatibility & Data Wipe Recovery

// Verify mod prerequisites
[/Script/Engine.World]
ServerNotificationStructure_C=
(ModId=895711211, ModName="Structures Plus") # Load order matters
(ModId=731604991, ModName="Eco")

// Check mod updates broke compatibility
Log: Mod update broke struct blueprint_C
Solution: Revert mod to last known good version or remove

// Safeguard against wipe
GameUserSettings.ini:
PreventSpawnAnimations=False # Allow taming to work post-update

Mod Won't Load: Verify mod compatibility with current ARK version in Workshop
Broken Items After Mod Update: Remove mod, replace with compatible alternative
Structures Disappear: Ensure mod not deactivated mid-session, restart server clean
Multiplied Dinos: Verify mod spawning rules, check duplicate mod subscriptions

Taming Failures & Breeding Troubleshooting

# Enable taming debug logging
Log: Dino X not taming - reason unknown

# Check taming effectiveness
1. Verify dino species in correct biome
2. Check food type (Dodo = berries, Rex = raw meat)
3. Monitor stamina drain rate
4. Ensure taming affinities unlocked

# Breeding prerequisites
MinimumMatingInterval = 18 hours
EggHatchSpeed multiplier = 1.0 (default, can increase)

Dino Untameable: Check creature is in valid lifecycle, verify food type matches species
Taming Resets: Kill dino and try again, mating interval timer persists across tames
No Egg Production: Ensure pair in vicinity, correct genders, mating interval expired
Low Egg Stats: Breed multiple generations, manage mutation stacking with careful genetics

Server Performance & Network Optimization

# Optimize GameUserSettings.ini
[/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameState]
TheMaxStructuresInRange=12000
MaxAuthoritiesFPS=30 # Reduce server tick updates
PerPlatformMaxStructuresInRange=12000

# Monitor server performance
tail -f ShooterGame/Saved/Logs/ShooterGame.log | grep "FPS\|Warning\|Error"

# Network optimization
MaxPlayerLevel=150
bEnableServerAdvertising=False # Affects LAN discovery

Low FPS: Reduce creature density, increase TheMaxStructuresInRange threshold
Lag Spikes During Save: Enable autosaving, distribute saves with interval settings
Player Disconnects: Check server connection timeout, monitor packet loss
Rendering Stutter: Reduce draw distance in client settings, check VRAM allocation

Pro tip: Always maintain separate save backups. Test mod updates on staging server first. Monitor server.log for early warning signs of instability.

Developer Resources

Scripting

Full mod creation support with extensive API documentation

Custom Content

Create custom creatures, items, and map extensions

Server Plugins

Community tools for server management and player interaction

FAQ

How many mods can I use?

Technically unlimited, but 100-150 is the sweet spot. More mods = slower startup and potential conflicts.

What's the best save interval?

Recommended: 30-60 seconds. More frequent = data safety. Less frequent = better performance.