ARK Survival Evolved Server Configuration Guide
Learn how to configure your ARK Survival Evolved dedicated server with GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini, including a full settings reference.
Here is how to locate and edit the configuration files for your ARK Survival Evolved server. This guide covers both the GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini files, as well as the GameUserSettings.ini Generator tool.
📝 Note: Basic settings such as Server Name and Password are set in the game panel under
Startup.
A full breakdown of settings can also be found on the ARK SE Server Configuration Wiki.
Using the GameUserSettings.ini Generator
The GameUserSettings.ini Generator on ArkForum simplifies server configuration with an easy-to-use interface.
Generate Your Settings
Use the ARK GameUserSettings.ini Generator to configure your desired settings. Click Create File and copy everything under the [ServerSettings] section.
Open the Config File
Log in to the XGamingServer Panel and Stop your ARK server. In Files, navigate to /ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini.
Paste Your Settings
Paste the settings you copied under the [ServerSettings] header, replacing the existing values in that section.
Start Your Server
Start your server to apply the changes.
Manually Configuring GameUserSettings.ini
By default, an ARK server will not include all settings in the GameUserSettings.ini file. You can add them manually.
Open the Config File
Log in to the XGamingServer Panel and Stop your ARK server. Go to Files and navigate to /ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini.
Edit and Save
Make the changes you want, ensuring settings are placed under their correct section headers. Start your server when finished.
[ServerSettings] Section
| Setting (Format) | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AdminLogging (boolean true/false) | true | Log admin commands |
| AllowCaveBuildingPvE (boolean true/false) | False | Cave building (PvE) |
| AllowCaveBuildingPvP (boolean true/false) | False | Cave building (PvP) |
| AllowFlyerCarryPvE (boolean true/false) | False | Flyer carry in PvE |
| AllowHideDamageSourceFromLogs (boolean true/false) | false | Hide damage sources |
| AllowSharedConnections (boolean true/false) | false | Family sharing |
| AllowTekSuitPowersInGenesis (boolean true/false) | false | TEK suit powers |
| allowThirdPersonPlayer (boolean true/false) | False | Enable 3rd person view |
| alwaysNotifyPlayerJoined (boolean true/false) | False | Notify on player join |
| alwaysNotifyPlayerLeft (boolean true/false) | False | Notify on player leave |
| AutoSavePeriodMinutes (float) | 15.0 | Auto-save interval |
| bAllowPlatformSaddleMultiFloors (boolean true/false) | False | Multiple platform floors |
| bForceCanRideFliers (boolean true/false) | false | Force flyer setting |
| ClampResourceHarvestDamage (boolean true/false) | false | Limit harvest damage |
| CrossARKAllowForeignDinoDownloads (boolean true/false) | false | Non-native dino downloads |
| CryopodNerfDamageMult (float) | 0.01 | Cryopod damage reduction |
| CryopodNerfDuration (integer) | 10 | Cryosickness duration |
| CryopodNerfIncomingDamageMultPercent (float) | 0.25 | Cryopod damage increase |
| CustomDynamicConfigUrl (string) | None | Dynamic config URL |
| DayCycleSpeedScale (float) | 1.0 | Day/night cycle speed |
| DayTimeSpeedScale (float) | 1.0 | Day time speed |
| DifficultyOffset (float) | 0.2 | Difficulty level |
| DinoCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Dino food consumption |
| DinoCharacterHealthRecoveryMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Dino health recovery |
| DinoCharacterStaminaDrainMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Dino stamina consumption |
| DinoCountMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Dino spawn rate |
| DinoDamageMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Dino damage multiplier |
| DinoResistanceMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Dino damage resistance |
| DisableDinoDecayPvE (boolean true/false) | False | Disable dino ownership decay |
| DisablePvEGamma (boolean true/false) | false | Disable gamma (PvE) |
| DisableStructureDecayPvE (boolean true/false) | False | Disable structure decay |
| DisableWeatherFog (boolean true/false) | false | Disable fog |
| EnableCryopodNerf (boolean true/false) | false | Cryosickness debuff |
| EnableCryoSicknessPVE (boolean true/false) | true | Cryopod cooldown |
| EnablePvPGamma (boolean true/false) | false | Enable gamma (PvP) |
| globalVoiceChat (boolean true/false) | False | Global voice chat |
| HarvestAmountMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Harvest yield |
| HarvestHealthMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Resource health |
| ItemStackSizeMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Stack size multiplier |
| MaxGateFrameOnSaddles (integer) | 0 | Max gates on platforms |
| MaxPlatformSaddleStructureLimit (integer) | - | Max platform saddles |
| MaxTamedDinos (integer) | 4000 | Max tamed dinos |
| MaxTributeDinos (integer) | 20 | Upload creature slots |
| MaxTributeItems (integer) | 50 | Upload item slots |
| NightTimeSpeedScale (float) | 1.0 | Night time speed |
| noTributeDownloads (boolean true/false) | False | Disable character downloads |
| PerPlatformMaxStructuresMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Platform structure limit |
| PlatformSaddleBuildAreaBoundsMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Platform build area |
| PlayerCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Food consumption |
| PlayerCharacterHealthRecoveryMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Health recovery |
| PlayerCharacterStaminaDrainMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Stamina consumption |
| PlayerCharacterWaterDrainMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Water consumption |
| PlayerDamageMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Player damage multiplier |
| PlayerResistanceMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Player damage resistance |
| proximityChat (boolean true/false) | False | Local chat only |
| PvEDinoDecayPeriodMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Dino decay multiplier |
| PvEStructureDecayDestructionPeriod (-) | 0 | Structure decay timer |
| PvEStructureDecayPeriodMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Structure decay rate |
| PvPStructureDecay (boolean true/false) | false | Structure decay (PvP) |
| RandomSupplyCratePoints (boolean true/false) | false | Random supply drops |
| ResourcesRespawnPeriodMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Resource respawn rate |
| ServerAdminPassword (string) | None | Admin password |
| serverHardcore (boolean true/false) | False | Hardcore mode |
| ServerPassword (string) | None | Server password |
| serverPVE (boolean true/false) | False | PvE mode |
| serverForceNoHud (boolean true/false) | False | Force disable HUD |
| ShowMapPlayerLocation (boolean true/false) | False | Show player position on map |
| SpectatorPassword (string) | None | Spectator password |
| StructureDamageMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Structure damage multiplier |
| StructureResistanceMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Structure damage resistance |
| TamingSpeedMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Taming speed |
| TheMaxStructuresInRange (integer) | 10500 | Max structures in range |
| TributeCharacterExpirationSeconds (integer) | 86400 | Character upload expiration |
| TributeDinoExpirationSeconds (integer) | 86400 | Dino upload expiration |
| TributeItemExpirationSeconds (integer) | 86400 | Item upload expiration |
| TribeNameChangeCooldown (integer) | 15 | Tribe name change cooldown |
| XPMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Experience multiplier |
| AlwaysAllowStructurePickup (boolean true/false) | false | Disable pickup timer |
| StructurePickupTimeAfterPlacement (float) | 30.0 | Pickup time limit (seconds) |
| AllowIntegratedSPlusStructures (boolean true/false) | true | Enable S+ structures |
| StructurePickupHoldDuration (float) | 0.5 | Pickup hold duration |
[/script/engine.gamesession] Section
| Setting (Format) | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MaxPlayers (integer) | 70 | Max simultaneous players |
[Ragnarok] Section (Requires DLC Map)
| Setting (Format) | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AllowMultipleTamedUnicorns (boolean true/false) | false | Allow unlimited tamed unicorns |
| UnicornSpawnInterval (integer) | 24 | Hours between unicorn spawns |
| VolcanoIntensity (float) | 1 | Volcano eruption intensity |
| VolcanoInterval (integer) | 0 | Time between volcano activations |
| EnableVolcano (boolean true/false) | true | Enable/disable volcano |
Advanced Configuration Using Game.ini
Game.ini is an advanced configuration file for granular control over your server. By default, it will be empty.
Open the Config File
Log in to the XGamingServer Panel and Stop your ARK server. In the sidebar, go to Files.
Navigate to Game.ini
Go to /ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/Game.ini.
Edit and Save
Make the changes you want and start your server. A full breakdown of settings can be found on the ARK Wiki.
[/script/shootergame.shootergamemode] Section
| Setting (Format) | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AutoPvEStartTimeSeconds (integer 0 to 86400) | PvE to PvP start time | |
| AutoPvEStopTimeSeconds (integer 0 to 86400) | PvP to PvE stop time | |
| bAllowCustomRecipes (boolean true/false) | false | Enable custom recipes |
| bAllowFlyerSpeedLeveling (boolean true/false) | false | Allow flyer speed leveling |
| bAllowUnlimitedRespecs (boolean true/false) | false | Remove mindwipe cooldown |
| bAutoPvETimer (boolean true/false) | Enable auto PvE timer | |
| bAutoPvEUseSystemTime (boolean true/false) | Use system time for PvE timer | |
| bAutoUnlockAllEngrams (boolean true/false) | false | Unlock all engrams |
| bDisableDefaultMapItemSets (boolean true/false) | false | Disable Genesis 2 Tek Suit spawn |
| bDisableDinoRiding (boolean true/false) | false | Disable dino riding |
| bDisableDinoTaming (boolean true/false) | false | Disable dino taming |
| bDisableFriendlyFire (boolean true/false) | false | Disable friendly fire (PvP) |
| bDisableGenesisMissions (boolean true/false) | false | Disable Genesis missions |
| bDisableLootCrates (boolean true/false) | false | Disable loot crate spawns |
| bDisableStructurePlacementCollision (boolean true/false) | false | Allow structure clipping |
| bDisableWorldBuffs (boolean true/false) | false | Disable Genesis 2 world effects |
| bEnableWorldBuffScaling (boolean true/false) | false | Scale Genesis 2 world effects |
| bFlyerPlatformAllowUnalignedDinoBasing (boolean true/false) | false | Allow non-allied dinos on Quetz platforms |
| bGenesisUseStructuresPreventionVolumes (boolean true/false) | true | Prevent building in Genesis mission areas |
| bHardLimitTurretsInRange (boolean true/false) | false | Hard limit turrets in range |
| bIgnoreStructuresPreventionVolumes (boolean true/false) | true | Allow building in Genesis mission volumes |
| bIncreasePvPRespawnInterval (boolean true/false) | Enable PvP respawn penalty | |
| bOnlyAllowSpecifiedEngrams (boolean true/false) | false | Hide non-specified engrams |
| bPassiveDefensesDamageRiderlessDinos (boolean true/false) | false | Spike walls damage wild dinos |
| bPvEAllowTribeWar (boolean true/false) | true | Allow tribe wars in PvE |
| bPvEAllowTribeWarCancel (boolean true/false) | false | Allow war cancellation |
| bPvEDisableFriendlyFire (boolean true/false) | false | Disable friendly fire (PvE) |
| bShowCreativeMode (boolean true/false) | false | Enable creative mode |
| bUseCorpseLocator (boolean true/false) | false | Show death location beam |
| bUseTameLimitForStructuresOnly (boolean true/false) | Apply tame limit to platforms only | |
| BabyCuddleGracePeriodMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Imprint grace period |
| BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Baby cuddle frequency |
| BabyCuddleLoseImprintQualitySpeedMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Imprint quality loss speed |
| BabyFoodConsumptionSpeedMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Baby food consumption rate |
| BabyImprintAmountMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Imprint percentage per cuddle |
| BabyImprintingStatScaleMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Imprint stat bonus scale |
| BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Baby maturation speed |
| CraftingSkillBonusMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Crafting skill bonus multiplier |
| CraftXPMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Crafting XP multiplier |
| CropDecaySpeedMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Crop decay speed |
| CropGrowthSpeedMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Crop growth speed |
| CustomRecipeEffectivenessMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Custom recipe effectiveness |
| CustomRecipeSkillMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Custom recipe skill effect |
| DestroyTamesOverLevelClamp (integer) | 0 | Destroy tames above level |
| DinoHarvestingDamageMultiplier (float) | 3.2 | Dino harvesting damage |
| DinoTurretDamageMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Turret damage to dinos |
| EggHatchSpeedMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Egg hatching speed |
| ExcludeItemIndices (integer) | Exclude items from supply crates | |
| FastDecayInterval (integer) | 43200 | Fast decay timer (seconds) |
| FishingLootQualityMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Fishing loot quality |
| FuelConsumptionIntervalMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Fuel consumption rate |
| GenericXPMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Generic XP multiplier |
| GlobalCorpseDecompositionTimeMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Corpse decay time |
| GlobalItemDecompositionTimeMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Item decay time |
| GlobalPoweredBatteryDurabilityDecreasePerSecond (float) | 3 | Battery durability loss rate |
| GlobalSpoilingTimeMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Food spoilage time |
| HairGrowthSpeedMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Hair growth speed |
| HarvestXPMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Harvesting XP multiplier |
| IncreasePvPRespawnIntervalBaseAmount (float) | 60 | Base PvP respawn penalty |
| IncreasePvPRespawnIntervalCheckPeriod (float) | 300 | PvP respawn check period |
| IncreasePvPRespawnIntervalMultiplier (float) | 2 | PvP respawn penalty multiplier |
| KickIdlePlayersPeriod (integer) | 3600 | Idle kick timer (seconds) |
| KillXPMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Kill XP multiplier |
| LayEggIntervalMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Egg laying frequency |
| LimitNonPlayerDroppedItemsCount (integer) | 0 | Max dropped items in area |
| LimitNonPlayerDroppedItemsRange (integer) | 0 | Dropped items range limit |
| MatingIntervalMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Mating cooldown multiplier |
| MatingSpeedMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Mating progress speed |
| MaxAlliancesPerTribe (integer) | Max alliances per tribe | |
| MaxFallSpeedMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Fall damage threshold |
| MaxNumberOfPlayersInTribe (integer) | 0 | Max players per tribe |
| MaxTribeLogs (integer) | 100 | Max tribe log entries |
| MaxTribesPerAlliance (integer) | Max tribes per alliance | |
| MutagenLevelBoost[stat ID] (integer) | 5, 5, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 5, 5, 0, 0, 0 | Mutagen levels added to wild ancestry tames. IDs: 0=Health, 1=Stamina, 2=Torpidity, 3=Oxygen, 4=Food, 5=Water, 6=Temperature, 7=Weight, 8=Melee Damage, 9=Movement Speed, 10=Fortitude, 11=Crafting Speed |
| MutagenLevelBoostBred[stat ID] (integer) | 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0 | Mutagen levels added to bred dinos. IDs: 0=Health, 1=Stamina, 2=Torpidity, 3=Oxygen, 4=Food, 5=Water, 6=Temperature, 7=Weight, 8=Melee Damage, 9=Movement Speed, 10=Fortitude, 11=Crafting Speed |
| OverrideMaxExperiencePointsDino (integer) | Override max dino XP | |
| OverrideMaxExperiencePointsPlayer (integer) | Override max player XP | |
| OverridePlayerLevelEngramPoints (integer) | Engram points per level | |
| PassiveTameIntervalMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Passive tame interval |
| PlayerHarvestingDamageMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Player harvesting damage |
| PoopIntervalMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Poop frequency |
| PreventDinoTameClassNames (string) | Prevent taming by class | |
| PreventOfflinePvPConnectionInvincibleInterval (float) | 5.0 | Offline PvP protection time |
| PreventTransferForClassName (string) | Prevent transfer by class | |
| PvPZoneStructureDamageMultiplier (float) | 6.0 | Cave structure damage |
| ResourceNoReplenishRadiusPlayers (float) | 1.0 | Resource respawn radius (players) |
| ResourceNoReplenishRadiusStructures (float) | 1.0 | Resource respawn radius (structures) |
| SpecialXPMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Special event XP multiplier |
| StructureDamageRepairCooldown (integer) | 180 | Structure repair cooldown |
| SupplyCrateLootQualityMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Supply crate loot quality |
| TamedDinoCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Tamed dino food consumption |
| TamedDinoTorporDrainMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Tamed dino torpor drain |
| TribeSlotReuseCooldown (float) | 0 | Tribe slot reuse timer |
| UseCorpseLifeSpanMultiplier (float) | Corpse/bag lifespan | |
| WildDinoCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Wild dino food consumption |
| WildDinoTorporDrainMultiplier (float) | 1.0 | Wild dino torpor drain |
| WorldBuffScalingEfficacy (float) | 1 | Genesis 2 world effect scaling |
ClassName Settings
ClassNames target specific items or dinosaurs instead of changing everything. This is for more advanced users and requires the exact file name of an Item or Dino.
| SettingName | Description |
|---|---|
| ConfigOverrideItemMaxQuantity | Changes stack sizes for items |
| HarvestResourceItemAmountClassMultipliers | Changes harvest amounts for resources |
| PreventDinoTameClassNames | Blocks taming certain dinosaurs |
| DinoClassDamageMultipliers | Changes wild dino damage |
| TamedDinoClassDamageMultipliers | Changes tamed dino damage |
| DinoClassResistanceMultipliers | Changes wild dino resistance |
| TamedDinoClassResistanceMultipliers | Changes tamed dino resistance |
Here are some examples:
ConfigOverrideItemMaxQuantity - Make arrows stack to 500
ConfigOverrideItemMaxQuantity=(ItemClassString="PrimalItemAmmo_ArrowTranq_C",Quantity=(MaxItemQuantity=500, bIgnoreMultiplier=true))HarvestResourceItemAmountClassMultipliers - Get 3x wood
HarvestResourceItemAmountClassMultipliers=(ClassName="PrimalItemResource_Wood_C",Multiplier=3.0)PreventDinoTameClassNames - Block taming Gigas
PreventDinoTameClassNames="Gigant_Character_BP_C"DinoClassDamageMultipliers - Wild Rex does half damage
DinoClassDamageMultipliers=(ClassName="Rex_Character_BP_C",Multiplier=0.5)TamedDinoClassDamageMultipliers - Tamed Rex does double damage
TamedDinoClassDamageMultipliers=(ClassName="Rex_Character_BP_C",Multiplier=2.0)DinoClassResistanceMultipliers - Wild Rex takes double damage
DinoClassResistanceMultipliers=(ClassName="Rex_Character_BP_C",Multiplier=0.5)TamedDinoClassResistanceMultipliers - Tamed Rex takes half damage
TamedDinoClassResistanceMultipliers=(ClassName="Rex_Character_BP_C",Multiplier=2.0)How is this guide?
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Changing the Difficulty on Your ARK Survival Evolved Server
Learn how to change the difficulty and max dino levels on your ARK Survival Evolved dedicated server by editing the server configuration.
Connect to Your ARK Survival Evolved Dedicated Server
Learn how to connect to your ARK Survival Evolved dedicated server using the in-game server browser or the Steam server browser.