Server configuration

Overview

The ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server has a wide variety of configuration options that control its behavior and adjust many aspects of the game. These are options that can only be set at server startup.

Most options can be specified on the command line when launching the server or in the server's configuration files. Options that must be specified on the command line are noted below.

Command Line Syntax

The server is currently launched via the command line using the following syntax to specify runtime options:

 <executable> <map_name>?listen[?<option>=<value>][?<option>=<value>]...[?<option>=<value>] -UseBattleye [<Argument>]

Following the <executable> name, options are specified as a single string with each option separated by a question mark (?). Most options require a value argument. Refer to the option reference below for more details.

When an option is not specified, its default value is used automatically.

For example, to launch a server that:

1. shows each player a crosshair
2. shows each player their position on the map
3. allows players to view themselves in third person
4. enforces a minimum distance between player structures built by different players and tribes
5. enables BattlEye

On a Linux host:

./ShooterGameServer TheIsland?listen?ServerCrosshair=True?MapPlayerLocation=True?AllowThirdPersonPlayer=True?MaxStructuresInRange=100 -UseBattlEye

On a Windows host:

start ShooterGameServer.exe "TheIsland?listen?ServerCrosshair=True?AllowThirdPersonPlayer=True?MapPlayerLocation=True?MaxStructuresInRange=100" -UseBattlEye

On Windows, quotation marks (") are used to ensure the command shell does not attempt to interpret any options itself.

Command line arguments

These are the options of the server launch command. For the syntax see above. Options starting with a ? (question mark) are appended directly one after another, options starting with a - (dash) have to be noted separately.

For Single Player: Right click in your Steam client on the game's name in the Library, choose Properties, tab General, button "Set Launch Options...", enter the options. But some options won't work this way, especially these starting with a ? (question mark). Try to put them into the section [ServerSettings] of the GameUserSettings.ini (for the location of this file see Configuration Files).

Argument	Platform	Tested & working?	Effect
-allcores	?		?
-allowansel	?		Activates NVIDIA Ansel support Introduced in patch 246.0
?AllowAnyoneBabyImprintCuddle=true			Use this if you want ANYONE to be able to "take care" of a Baby Dino (cuddle etc), not just whomever Imprinted on it.
-automanagedmods	All		Automatic MOD download/installation/updating. See Patch v244.3
-ClearOldItems	All		Official PvP servers one-time Clearance of all old unequipped items (with the exception of blueprints, eatables, notes, and quest items), to ensure fairness after Item Duplication bug exploit. Server admins can enforce this once if they run with this command argument (will only work ONCE on pre-update save games) Patch 178.0
-culture=en	All		You can also directly override the language by using this commandline
-d3d10	Windows Only		The game is forced to use DX10 instead of DX11 by sm4. Be sure to launch it accurately, you are not going to miss out on anything.
?DisableImprintDinoBuff=true			Use this to disable the Dino Imprinting-Player Stat Bonus, if you don't like it (where whomever specifically imprinted on the Dino, and Raised it to have an Imprinting Quality, gets extra Damage/Resistance buff)
-EnableIdlePlayerKick	All		Cause characters that have not moved or interacted within the KickIdlePlayersPeriod to be kicked.
?EnableExtraStructurePreventionVolumes=true	All		Use this to completely disable building in specific resource-rich areas, in particular setup on TheIsland around the major mountains.
-?FastDecayUnsnappedCoreStructures=true			Will decay unsnapped foundations/pillars at 5x speed. Introduced in patch 245.987
-ForceAllowCaveFlyers	All		Force Flyer dinos to be allowed into caves (Flyers able to go into caves by default on custom maps)
-ForceRespawnDinos	All		Official Servers?? Relaunching with this command to destroy all wild creatures to flush out NPC’s to new Biome configurations. (this will only destroy wild creatures that are NOT currently being tamed
-gameplaylogging	All		Survival of the Fittest servers can launch with this commandline option to output a dated log file to \Saved folder, which will contain a timestamped kill & winners log listing steam id, steam name, character name, etc. Handy for automatic Tournament records…
-insecure	Windows Only		Disable Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) system.
-lowmemory	All		Launch options that reduces graphics and audio effects to save about 800 MB RAM, likely enabling 4GB RAM players to get past infinite-loading screens
-MapModID=#########	All		Dedicated servers can now optionally load custom maps via ModID diectly, rather than having to specify the map name directly, using this syntax (where the MapModID is the Steam Workshop FileID of your custom map, and the GameModIds are the Id’s of the stacked mods you wish to use, in order)
-?MinimumDinoReuploadInterval=xxxx	All		Number of seconds cooldown between allowed Dino re-uploads (defaults to 0, set to 43200 on Official Servers which is 12 hours).
-noantispeedhack	All		Anti speedhack detection is now enabled by default — to disable it, use this server commandline
-NoBiomeWalls			Eliminates the upcoming-Biome-change area wall effects as introduced in an unversioned addition of v241.5. Introduced in patch 242.7
-nocombineclientmoves	All		Server player-move-physics optimization is now enabled by default (improves perf) — to disable it, use this server commandline
-nofishloot	All		disable non-meat Fish Loot when using Fishing Rod Introduced in patch 245.9
-noninlinesaveload	All		Fixed a savegame corruption case with large savegames: this is experimental, so try with this command, if you have any saves that don’t load. We’ll formally roll this loader change out in a subsequent patch after we’re 100% certain it has no side effects.
-nomansky	All		Lots of detailed sky features are disabled, such as clouts and starry night sky. This decreases all of those but you can still have them. You still obtain the stars, the sun, and the moon. This just helps you remove the sparkling stars that make you sightless at night
-nomemorybias			See patch notes 244.6
?NonPermanentDiseases=true			This will make Diseases not permanent (you will then lose them if you respawn).
-oldsaveformat			See patch notes 244.6
?OnlyAutoDestroyCoreStructures=true			You can launch an autodestroy enabled server with this opion to prevent any non-core/non-foundation structures from autodestroying (however they'll still get autodestroyed if a floor that they're on gets autodestroyed, of course). Official PvE Servers use this option. Introduced in patch 245.989
?OnlyDecayUnsnappedCoreStructures=true			If set, only unsnapped core structures will decay. Useful for eliminating lone pillar/foundation spam on PvP Servers. Introduced in patch 245.986
?OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0			Allows you to override the default server difficulty level of 4 with 5 to match the new official server difficulty level. Introduced in patch 247.95
?OverrideStructurePlatformPrevention=true			Use this override if you want turret or spike structures to be buildable and functional on platform saddles. Last amended change in patch 247.999
?PreventDiseases=true			This will completely disable Diseases on the server. (thus far just 'Swamp Fever').
?PreventDownloadSurvivors=False ?PreventDownloadItems=False ?PreventDownloadDinos=False ?PreventUploadSurvivors=False ?PreventUploadItems=False ?PreventUploadDinos=False			Prevent Cross-ARK Data Transfer Introduced in patch 246.0
?PreventOfflinePvP=true			Use this to enable the offline raiding prevention option.
?PreventOfflinePvPInterval=900			That would be a 15 min wait before a tribe/players dinos/structures become invulnerable/inactive after they log off. (if Tribe, requires ALL Tribe members logged off!)
?PvEAllowStructuresAtSupplyDrops=false			Set to true to allow building near supply drop points in PvE mode. Introduced in patch 247.999
?PvEDinoDecayPeriodMultiplier=1.0			Dino PvE Auto-Claim time multiplier 241.4
?PvPDinoDecay=true			see patch notes 242.0
?PvPStructureDecay=true			see patch notes 242.0
?ShowFloatingDamageText=true			Use this to enable RPG-style popup text stat mode.
-servergamelog	All	Yes	Enable Server Admin Logs (including RCON support) use RCON command “getgamelog” to print 100 entries at a time also outputs to dated file in in “\Logs”, adjust max length of RCON buffer with commandline: “?RCONServerGameLogBuffer=600”
-server	?		?
-sm4	Windows Only?		The game is forced to use Shader Model 4 instead of the Shader Model 5 as usual. Well, there is no much difference, the game still looks and feels the same, but you can obtain better performance (Windows only?) (reported to increase frames but changes the game lighting)
-StructureDestructionTag=DestroySwampSnowStructures	All		One-Time Auto-Structure Demolish on Swamp and Snow Zones: To do this, which you can only execute once after updating to v216, run your server or game with this commandline
?TribeLogDestroyedEnemyStructures=true			By default enemy structure destruction (for the victim tribe) is not displayed in the tribe Logs, set this to true to enable it. Introduced in patch 247.93
-USEALLAVAILABLECORES	All		All of your CPU cores will be used, if all of them are not being utilized after using this launch option, then try to disable it!
-UseBattlEye	All	Yes	Enables Battleye
-usecache	All		~70% faster loading speed option. Choose “Experiment Fast Load Cache” launch option (use add “-usecache” to your launch commandline manually). After the first & second times that you start the game & load will be still be slow, but the third time onwards will be fast. This is testing a new caching method. If it works well, will then ship with the prebuilt cached files so that it’ll always be fast even first-time, and we’ll do this for all the maps as well.
-vday	All		Activate Valentine’s Day Event
-webalarm	All		Activate Web alarms when important things happen to a tribe, such as Tripwire Alarms going off and Babies being born. See Web Notifications for details. Introduced in patch 243.0

Configuration Files

Most options can also be specified in the games configuration files. The location of the configuration files varies by platform:

Platform	Configuration File	Location
Linux	GameUserSettings.ini	ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/
Linux	Game.ini	ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/
Windows	GameUserSettings.ini	ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/
Windows	Game.ini	ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/

The GameUserSettings.ini file contains options for both the game client and the game server. Options for the game client are not used by the server. Server options are specified in the section labeled [ServerSettings], which is usually located at the bottom of the file.

The Game.ini file is used for more advanced modifications, such as changing engram points or XP rewarded per level, disabling specific content, or rebalancing depending on player tastes.

For all supported platforms, options are listed one per line using the same basic syntax:

<option>=<value>

All options in the configuration file require a value. If an option is not listed in the configuration file, its default value is used automatically.

To configure a game server with the same configuration as shown in Command Line Syntax above:

ServerCrosshair=True
AllowThirdPersonPlayer=True
MapPlayerLocation=True
MaxStructuresInRange=100

With these options in the configuration file, the server can be launched with a much shorter command line. For Linux:

./ShooterGameServer TheIsland?listen

For Windows:

start ShooterGameServer.exe "TheIsland?listen"

GameUserSettings.ini

To easy create this file, you can use this ini-Generator.

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. As of this writing, the current map options are TheIsland, TheCenter (requires DLC) and ScorchedEarth_P (requires DLC) .
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
DisableStructureDecayPvE	boolean	False	Disable the gradual (7 days) decay of player structures
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.
AllowFlyerCarryPvE	boolean	False	Permit flying dinosaurs to pick up other dinosaurs and players when mounted by a player in PvE
MaxStructuresInRange	integer	Unknown	Specifies the maximum number of structures that can be constructed within a certain (currently hard-coded) range.
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 1 provides 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 1 provides 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 1 provides 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.
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.
PvEStructureDecayDestructionPeriod	Unknown	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.
PvEDinoDecayPeriodMultiplier	Unknown	1.0	... (since 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	unknown	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 (added 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).
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. (Patch 194.0)
BanListURL	URL	"http://playark.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. (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

Game.ini

The following options can only be set in the [/script/shootergame.shootergamemode] section of Game.ini, located in the same folder as GameUserSettings.ini (see above for the location for each platform). Specifying them on the command line will have no effect.

Option	Arguments	Effects and Example
OverrideEngramEntries=( EngramIndex=<index> [,EngramHidden=<hidden>] [,EngramPointsCost=<cost>] [,EngramLevelRequirement=<level>] [,RemoveEngramPreReq=<remove_prereq>]) OverrideNamedEngramEntries=( EngramClassName="<class_name>" [,EngramHidden=<hidden>] [,EngramPointsCost=<cost>] [,EngramLevelRequirement=<level>] [,RemoveEngramPreReq=<remove_prereq>])	index integer Index of the engram class_name integer Class name of the engram hidden true|false If true, hide the engram in the players' Engrams panel cost integer Engram points needed to learn engram level integer Minimum level needed to learn engram remove_prereq true|false Engram points needed to learn engram	Configure the status and requirements for learning an engram. For OverrideEngramEntries the EngramIndex argument is always required, for OverrideNamedEngramEntries the EngramClassName argument is always required; the rest are optional, but at least one must be provided in order for the option to have any effect. The option may be repeated in GameUserSettings.ini once for each engram to be configured. The examples provided here are split into multiple lines for space considerations. In the configuration file, an entry must be placed entirely on a single line. Multiple OverrideEngramEntries and OverrideNamedEngramEntries entries can be specified in the file, but EngramIndex and EngramClassName values should not be repeated across multiple entries. OverrideEngramEntries=(EngramIndex=0, EngramHidden=false) OverrideEngramEntries=(EngramIndex=1, EngramHidden=false,EngramPointsCost=3, EngramLevelRequirement=3, RemoveEngramPreReq=true) OverrideNamedEngramEntries=( EngramClassName="EngramEntry_Campfire_C", EngramHidden=false) OverrideNamedEngramEntries=( EngramClassName="EngramEntry_StoneHatchet_C", EngramHidden=false,EngramPointsCost=3, EngramLevelRequirement=3, RemoveEngramPreReq=true) For the Engram Index and Engram Class Name see Engram classnames.
bOnlyAllowSpecifiedEngrams=<value>	value = boolean (true/false) Default = false	If true, any Engram not explicitly specified in the OverrideEngramEntries or OverrideNamedEngramEntries list will be hidden. All Items and Blueprints based on hidden Engrams will be removed.
DinoSpawnWeightMultipliers=( DinoNameTag=<tag> [,SpawnWeightMultiplier=<factor>] [,OverrideSpawnLimitPercentage=<override>] [,SpawnLimitPercentage=<limit>])	tag string Dinosaur type to adjust factor float Weight factor for this type override true|false If true, use the specified SpawnLimitPercentage limit float Maximum percentage (among all spawns) for this type	Customizes the spawning rate for a given dinosaur type (at all dinosaur spawn points). Types with a larger SpawnWeightMultiplier are selected more often when spawning new dinosaurs than types with lower multipliers. When OverrideSpawnLimitPercentage is specified (and true), the type will never be spawned more than SpawnLimitPercentage * 100 percent of the time, regardless of multiplier. For example, a SpawnLimitPercentage of 0.25 specifies that the type will be selected for spawning no more than 25% of the time. The examples provided here are split into multiple lines for space considerations. In the configuration file, an entry must be placed entirely on a single line. Multiple DinoSpawnWeightMultipliers entries can be specified in the file, but DinoNameTag values should not be repeated across multiple entries. DinoSpawnWeightMultipliers=(DinoNameTag=Bronto, SpawnWeightMultiplier=10.0, OverrideSpawnLimitPercentage=true, SpawnLimitPercentage=0.5) For the Dino Name Tag values see Creature IDs.
LevelExperienceRampOverrides=( ExperiencePointsForLevel[<n>]=<points> [,ExperiencePointsForLevel[<n>]=<points>] ... [,ExperiencePointsForLevel[<n>]=<points>])	n integer Level to configure points integer Points needed to reach level	Configure the total number of levels available to players and dinosaurs and the experience points required to reach each level. This directive can be specified twice in the configuration file. The first time it appears, the values provided will configure player levels. The second time it appears, the values provided will configure dinosaur levels. Because of this, each time the directive is used, it must list all of the levels players (or dinosaurs) can reach on the server. One ExperiencePointsForLevel argument must appear for each desired level. Values for <n> must be sequential, starting from zero. The examples provided here are split into multiple lines for space considerations. In the configuration file, an entry must be placed on a single line. LevelExperienceRampOverrides=( ExperiencePointsForLevel[0]=1, ExperiencePointsForLevel[1]=5, ... ExperiencePointsForLevel[64]=1000) LevelExperienceRampOverrides=( ExperiencePointsForLevel[0]=1, ExperiencePointsForLevel[1]=5, ... ExperiencePointsForLevel[34]=1000) The first example specifies 65 player levels. The second example (when placed in the configuration file after the first example) specifies 35 dinosaur levels.
OverridePlayerLevelEngramPoints=<points>	points = integer	Configure the number of engram points granted to players for each level gained. This option must be repeated for each player level configured on the server; if there are 65 player levels available, this option should appear in the configuration file 65 times. The first appearance of the option configures engram points for reaching level 1. The next one configures engram points for level 2, and so on all the way to the 65th appearance, which configures engram points for level 65. OverridePlayerLevelEngramPoints=5 OverridePlayerLevelEngramPoints=10 ... OverridePlayerLevelEngramPoints=100
GlobalSpoilingTimeMultiplier=<value>	value = float Default = 1.0	Scales the spoiling time of perishables globally. Higher values prolong the time. (Note: As of patch 196.0 there is still a bug whereby items moved to the player's inventory have their spoilage times reset to normal (value 1.0) despite what this value is set at. It seems that as of 248.5 this has been fixed.) Introduced in patch 189.0
GlobalItemDecompositionTimeMultiplier=<value>	value = float Default = 1.0	Scales the decomposition time of dropped items, loot bags etc. globally. Higher values prolong the time. Introduced in patch 189.0
GlobalCorpseDecompositionTimeMultiplier=<value>	value = float Default = 1.0	Scales the decomposition time of corpses, (player and dinosaur), globally. Higher values prolong the time. Introduced in patch 189.0
HarvestResourceItemAmountClassMultipliers=(ClassName="<classname>",Multiplier=<value>)	classname string Name of resource, e.g. PrimalItemResource_Thatch_C value float Default = 1.0	Scales on a per-resource type basis, the amount of resources harvested. Higher values increase the amount per swing/attack. E.g: HarvestResourceItemAmountClassMultipliers=(ClassName="PrimalItemResource_Thatch_C",Multiplier=2.0) will provide 2x the amount harvested when harvesting thatch from a tree. Resource classnames can be found at HarvestResourceItemAmountClassMultipliers Functions in the same way as the global setting HarvestAmountMultiplier but for only the type of resource named on this line. Additional lines can be added with other resource types, such as Wood, Stone etc. Introduced in patch 189.0
OverrideMaxExperiencePointsPlayer=<value> OverrideMaxExperiencePointsDino=<value>	value = integer Default = N/A	Overrides the Max XP cap of players & dinosaur characters, respectively, by exact specified amount. Introduced in patch 189.0
PreventDinoTameClassNames="<classname>"	classname = string	Prevents taming of specific dinosaurs via classname. E.g. PreventDinoTameClassNames="Argent_Character_BP_C" Dino classnames can be found on the Creature IDs page. Introduced in patch 194.0
DinoClassDamageMultipliers=(ClassName="<classname>",Multiplier=<multiplier>) TamedDinoClassDamageMultipliers=(ClassName="<classname>",Multiplier=<multiplier>)	classname = string multiplier = float Default 1.0	Multiplies damage dealt of specific dinosaurs via classname. Higher values increase the damage dealt. Dino classnames can be found on the Creature IDs page. The examples provided here are split into multiple lines for space considerations. In the configuration file, an entry must be placed on a single line. Multiple DinoClassDamageMultipliers and TamedDinoClassDamageMultipliers entries can be specified in the file, but ClassName values should not be repeated across multiple entries. Examples: DinoClassDamageMultipliers= (ClassName="MegaRex_Character_BP_C",Multiplier=0.1) TamedDinoClassDamageMultipliers= (ClassName="Rex_Character_BP_C",Multiplier=10.0) Introduced in patch 194.0
DinoClassResistanceMultipliers=(ClassName="<classname>",Multiplier=<multiplier>) TamedDinoClassResistanceMultipliers=(ClassName="<classname>",Multiplier=<multiplier>)	classname = string multiplier = float Default 1.0	Multiplies resistance of specific dinosaurs via classname. Higher values decrease the damage recieved. Dino classnames can be found on the Creature IDs page. The examples provided here are split into multiple lines for space considerations. In the configuration file, an entry must be placed on a single line. Multiple DinoClassResistanceMultipliers and TamedDinoClassResistanceMultipliers entries can be specified in the file, but ClassName values should not be repeated across multiple entries. Examples: DinoClassResistanceMultipliers= (ClassName="MegaRex_Character_BP_C",Multiplier=0.1) TamedDinoClassResistanceMultipliers= (ClassName="Rex_Character_BP_C",Multiplier=10.0) Introduced in patch 194.0
NPCReplacements=(FromClassName="<classname>",ToClassName="<classname>")	classname = string	This can be used to disable specific Alpha predators, replace the spawns of a particular NPC with that of a different NPC, or completely disable any specific NPC spawn. E.g: NPCReplacements=(FromClassName="MegaRaptor_Character_BP_C",ToClassName="Dodo_Character_BP_C") Dino classnames can be found on the Creature IDs page. Introduced in patch 196.0
ResourceNoReplenishRadiusPlayers=<value> ResourceNoReplenishRadiusStructures=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Allow resources to regrow closer or farther away from players & structures. Values higher than 1 increase the distance around players and structures where resources are allowed to grow back. Values between 0 and 1 will reduce it. Introduced in patch 196.0
bIncreasePvPRespawnInterval=<Boolean> IncreasePvPRespawnIntervalCheckPeriod=<value1> IncreasePvPRespawnIntervalMultiplier=<value2> IncreasePvPRespawnIntervalBaseAmount=<value3>	boolean boolean (true/false) Default = N/A value1 float Default = 300 value2 float Default = 2 value3 float Default = 60	PvP servers have an optional +1 minute additonal respawn (<value3>) that doubles (<value2>) each time if you are killed by a team within 5 minutes (<value1>) of your previous death to that team (timer indicated on Spawn UI). Is enabled in pvp by default, and on all the official pvp servers. Helps prevent PvO ammo-wasting of auto turrets by repeatedly throwing sacrificial players at them. bIncreasePvPRespawnInterval must be set to True for these options to be activated. Introduced in patch 196.0
bAutoPvETimer=<Boolean1> bAutoPvEUseSystemTime=<Boolean2> AutoPvEStartTimeSeconds=<value1> AutoPvEStopTimeSeconds=<value2>	boolean1 Boolean (true/false) Default = N/A boolean2 boolean (true/false) Default = N/A value 0 to 86400 Default = N/A value 0 to 86400 Default = N/A	Allow switching from PvE to PvP mode at pre-specified in-game times OR a pre-specified real-world (server-side) times! For more detailed information regarding using system time vs. in-game time, please see patch notes 196.0. bAutoPvETimer must be set to True for these options to be activated. Introduced in patch 196.0
bPvEDisableFriendlyFire=<value>	value = boolean (true/false) Default = false	Prevent-Friendly-Fire (among tribesmates/tribesdinos/tribesstructures) option for PvE servers! Introduced in patch 202.0
PerLevelStatsMultiplier_Player[<attribute>]=<multiplier> PerLevelStatsMultiplier_DinoTamed<type>[<attribute>]=<multiplier> PerLevelStatsMultiplier_DinoWild[<attribute>]=<multiplier>	type text no type given: Multiplier applied for each tamed level-up point _Add: Multiplier immediately added for tamed dino _Affinity: Multiplier applied dependant on affinity attribute integer 0: Health 1: Stamina 2: Torpidity 3: Oxygen 4: Food 5: Water 6: Temperature 7: Weight 8: MeleeDamageMultiplier 9: SpeedMultiplier 10: TemperatureFortitude 11: CraftingSpeedMultiplier multiplier float Default = 1.0	Allows changing the amount of stats gained each level. E.g.: PerLevelStatsMultiplier_Player[7]=2.0 would mean that weight-increase per level is 2x as much as default for players. PerLevelStatsMultiplier_Player changes the amount for players. PerLevelStatsMultiplier_DinoTamed changes the amount for tamed dinos. PerLevelStatsMultiplier_DinoWild changes the amount for wild dinos. To nearly disable gaining stats use 0.01 because setting the value to 0 makes it default to 1.0 Examples for different types effecting Health of a tamed dino: PerLevelStatsMultiplier_DinoTamed[0] = 1.0 PerLevelStatsMultiplier_DinoTamed_Add[0] = 1.0 PerLevelStatsMultiplier_DinoTamed_Affinity[0] = 1.0 Introduced in patch 202.0
bFlyerPlatformAllowUnalignedDinoBasing=<boolean>	Value = boolean (true/false) Default = false	Quetz platforms will not allow any non-allied dino to base on them when they are flying. If you want your server to allow non-allied dinos to be able to stand on the Quetz platforms set this to true. Introduced in patch 218.3
MatingIntervalMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Higher number increases (on a percentage scale) interval between which dinosaurs can mate Example: MatingIntervalMultiplier=0.5 would allow dinosaurs to mate 50% sooner Introduced in patch 219.0
EggHatchSpeedMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Higher number decreases (by percentage) time needed for fertilized egg to hatch Introduced in patch 219.0
BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Higher number decreases (by percentage) time needed for baby dino to mature Introduced in patch 219.0
BabyFoodConsumptionSpeedMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Lower number decreases (by percentage) the speed that baby dinos eat their food Introduced in patch 222.3
CropGrowthSpeedMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Higher number increases (by percentage) speed of crop growth Introduced in patch 218.0
LayEggIntervalMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Higher number increases (by percentage) time between eggs spawning / being laid Introduced in patch 218.0
PoopIntervalMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Higher number increases (by percentage) how frequently you can poop Introduced in patch 218.0
CropDecaySpeedMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Higher number decrease (by percentage) speed of crop decay in plots Introduced in patch 218.0
StructureDamageRepairCooldown=<value>	Value= integer Default = 180	Option for cooldown period on structure repair from the last time damaged. Set to 180 seconds by default, 0 to disable it Introduced in patch 222.0
bPvEAllowTribeWar=<value>	Value = boolean Default = True	False disables capability for Tribes to officially declare war on each other for mutually-agreed-upon period of time Introduced in patch 223.0
bPvEAllowTribeWarCancel=<value>	Value = boolean Default = False	True allows cancellation of an agreed-upon war before it has actually started Introduced in patch 223.0
bPassiveDefensesDamageRiderlessDinos=<value>	Value = boolean Default = False	True allow spike walls to damage wild/riderless Dinos Introduced in patch 224.0
CustomRecipeEffectivenessMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Higher number increases (by percentage) the effectiveness of a custom recipe Introduced in patch 226.0
CustomRecipeSkillMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Higher number increases (by percentage) the effect of the players crafting speed level that is used as a base for the formula in creating a custom recipe Introduced in patch 226.0
DinoHarvestingDamageMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 3.2	Higher number increases (by percentage) the damage done to a harvestable item/entity by a Dino. The higher number, the faster you collect Introduced in patch 231.1
PlayerHarvestingDamageMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Higher number increases (by percentage) the damage done to a harvestable item/entity by a Player. The higher number, the faster you collect Introduced in patch 231.1
DinoTurretDamageMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	Higher number increases (by percentage) the damage done by Turrets towards a Dino Introduced in patch 231.4
bDisableLootCrates=<value>	Value = boolean Default = False	True prevent spawning of Loot crates (artifact creates will still spawn) Introduced in patch 231.7
KickIdlePlayersPeriod	Value = integer Default = 3600	Time after which characters that have not moved or interacted will be kicked (if -EnableIdlePlayerKick as command line parameter is set). Introduced in patch 241.5
MaxNumberOfPlayersInTribe=<value>	Value = float Default = 0	Set this to a number > 0 to act as a limit. 1 Player Tribes effectively disables Tribes ;) Introduced in patch 242.0
BabyImprintingStatScaleMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	How much of an effect on stats the Imprinting Quality has. Set it to 0 to effectively disable the system. Introduced in patch 242.0
BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	How often Babies wanna cuddle. More often means you'll need to cuddle with them more frequently to gain Imprinting Quality. Introduced in patch 242.0
BabyCuddleGracePeriodMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	A multiplier on how long after delaying cuddling with the Baby before Imprinting Quality starts to decrease. Introduced in patch 242.0
BabyCuddleLoseImprintQualitySpeedMultiplier=<value>	Value = float Default = 1.0	A multiplier on how fast Imprinting Qualitiy decreases after the grace period if you haven't yet cuddled with the Baby. Introduced in patch 242.0
ConfigOverrideItemCraftingCosts		tbd see below the table for an example Introduced in patch 242.0
ConfigOverrideSupplyCrateItems		tbd see below the table for an example Introduced in patch 242.0
ExcludeItemIndices=<value>	Value = one Item ID	Exclude an item from supply crates. You can have multiple lines of this option.
MaxTribeLogs=<value>	Value = integer Default = 100	How many Tribe logs are displayed for each tribe. Introduced in patch 224.0
ConfigAddNPCSpawnEntriesContainer=( [NPCSpawnEntriesContainerClassString=<spawn_class>], [NPCSpawnEntries=((AnEntryName=<spawn_name>], [EntryWeight=<factor>], [NPCsToSpawnStrings=(<entity_id>)))], [NPCSpawnLimits=((NPCClassString=<entity_id>], [MaxPercentageOfDesiredNumToAllow=<percentage>)))]	spawn_class string Spawn Class String spawn_name string Spawn Name factor float Weight Factor for this spawn entity_id string Entity ID of the dinosaur or creature to be added percentage float Sets the maximum allowed dinosaurs or creatures for this instance	Allows specified dinosaurs/creatures to spawn in specified locations directly through the spawners limited to what is specified, use one dinosaur/creature per line/setting. For example: Adding 1 Giganotosaurus to the beach spawn area. ConfigAddNPCSpawnEntriesContainer=(NPCSpawnEntriesContainerClassString="DinoSpawnEntriesBeach_C",NPCSpawnEntries=((AnEntryName="GigaSpawner",EntryWeight=1000.0,NPCsToSpawnStrings=("Gigant_Character_BP_C"))),NPCSpawnLimits=((NPCClassString="Gigant_Character_BP_C",MaxPercentageOfDesiredNumToAllow=0.01))) See Creature IDs for list of dinosaur/creature IDs See Spawn Entries for list of Spawn Entry class strings Introduced in Patch 248.0
ConfigSubtractNPCSpawnEntriesContainer=( [NPCSpawnEntriesContainerClassString=<spawn_class>], [NPCSpawnEntries=((NPCsToSpawnStrings=(<entity_id>)))], [NPCSpawnLimits=((NPCClassString=<entity_id>)))]	spawn_class string Spawn Class String entity_id string Entity ID of the dino or creature to be removed	Completely removes specified dinosaurs/creatures from specified locations, more than one dinosaur/creature can be specified. Example: Removing Trike and Pteros from the Beach. ConfigSubtractNPCSpawnEntriesContainer=(NPCSpawnEntriesContainerClassString="DinoSpawnEntriesBeach_C",NPCSpawnEntries=((NPCsToSpawnStrings=("Trike_Character_BP_C")),(NPCsToSpawnStrings=("Ptero_Character_BP_C"))),NPCSpawnLimits=((NPCClassString="Trike_Character_BP_C"), (NPCClassString="Ptero_Character_BP_C"))) See Creature IDs for list of dinosaur/creature IDs See Spawn Entries for list of Spawn Entry class strings Introduced in Patch 248.0
ConfigOverrideNPCSpawnEntriesContainer=( [NPCSpawnEntriesContainerClassString=<spawn_class>], [NPCSpawnEntries=((AnEntryName=<spawn_name>], [EntryWeight=<factor>], [NPCsToSpawnStrings=(<entity_id>)))], [NPCSpawnLimits=((NPCClassString=<entity_id>], [MaxPercentageOfDesiredNumToAllow=<percentage>)))]	spawn_class string Spawn Class String spawn_name string Spawn Name factor float Weight Factor for this spawn entity_id string Entity ID of the dino or creature to override other spawns percentage float Sets the maximum allowed dinos or creatures for this instance	Overrides all dinosaurs/creatures within a specified area with specified dinos, allows for areas to be dedicated for the spawning of specific dinosaurs/creatures. Does not prevent wanderers from entering said location. For example: If you want only Rexes and Carnos to spawn in the Mountain Region ConfigOverrideNPCSpawnEntriesContainer=(NPCSpawnEntriesContainerClassString="DinoSpawnEntriesMountain_C",NPCSpawnEntries=((AnEntryName="CarnoSpawner",EntryWeight=1.0,NPCsToSpawnStrings=("Carno_Character_BP_C")),(AnEntryName="RexSpawner",EntryWeight=1.0,NPCsToSpawnStrings= ("Rex_Character_BP_C"))),NPCSpawnLimits=((NPCClassString="Carno_Character_BP_C",MaxPercentageOfDesiredNumToAllow=0.5), (NPCClassString="Rex_Character_BP_C",MaxPercentageOfDesiredNumToAllow=0.5))) See Creature IDs for list of dinosaur/creature IDs See Spawn Entries for list of Spawn Entry class strings Introduced in Patch 248.0

ConfigOverrideItemCraftingCosts

ConfigOverrideItemCraftingCosts=(ItemClassString="PrimalItem_WeaponStoneHatchet_C",BaseCraftingResourceRequirements=((ResourceItemTypeString="PrimalItemResource_Thatch_C",BaseResourceRequirement=1.0,bCraftingRequireExactResourceType=false),(ResourceItemTypeString="PrimalItemAmmo_ArrowStone_C",BaseResourceRequirement=2.0,bCraftingRequireExactResourceType=false)))

ConfigOverrideItemCraftingCosts=(ItemClassString="PrimalItem_WeaponTorch_C",BaseCraftingResourceRequirements=((ResourceItemTypeString="PrimalItemConsumable_RawMeat_C",BaseResourceRequirement=3.0,bCraftingRequireExactResourceType=false),(ResourceItemTypeString="PrimalItemConsumable_CookedMeat_C",BaseResourceRequirement=2.0,bCraftingRequireExactResourceType=false)))

That's an example of how to make the Hatchet require 1 thatch and 2 stone arrows to craft. And to make the torch require 3 raw meat and 2 cooked meat to craft (because ya know, Meat Torches are the best torches!)

ConfigOverrideSupplyCrateItems

ConfigOverrideSupplyCrateItems=(SupplyCrateClassString="SupplyCrate_Level03_C",MinItemSets=1,MaxItemSets=1,NumItemSetsPower=1.0,bSetsRandomWithoutReplacement=true,ItemSets=((MinNumItems=2,MaxNumItems=2,NumItemsPower=1.0,SetWeight=1.0,bItemsRandomWithoutReplacement=true,ItemEntries=((EntryWeight=1.0,ItemClassStrings=("PrimalItemResource_Stone_C"),ItemsWeights=(1.0),MinQuantity=10.0,MaxQuantity=10.0,MinQuality=1.0,MaxQuality=1.0,bForceBlueprint=false,ChanceToBeBlueprintOverride=0.0),(EntryWeight=1.0,ItemClassStrings=("PrimalItemResource_Thatch_C"),ItemsWeights=(1.0),MinQuantity=10.0,MaxQuantity=10.0,MinQuality=1.0,MaxQuality=1.0,bForceBlueprint=false,ChanceToBeBlueprintOverride=0.0)))))

That's an example of how to completely override the items contained in the regular Level 3 supply crate, to contain just some stone and thatch for example.

All of the Item class strings and Supply Crate names can, of course, be found in the ARK Dev Kit!

Tutorial: Modify loot crate contents (v242)

Administrator Whitelisting

Players can be whitelisted as administrators on the server via their SteamID. These players can use cheat commands on the server automatically, as if they had authenticated themselves via the enablecheats command (described below).

To whitelist administrators, create the file ShooterGame/Saved/AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt. In the file, list each player's SteamID, one per line.

SteamIDs for all connected players can be listed in-game via the cheat ListPlayers command. Players can be kicked from the server (using their SteamIDs) via the cheat KickPlayer command. Refer to the following section for details.

Note: When this method is used, it is not necessary to specify a server administrator password. A password can still be specified, and can be used by players not on the whitelist to gain administrator privileges, but the server will function without it and will still automatically grant privileges to whitelisted administrators.

Cross-ARK Data Transfer

How Cross-ARK Data Transfer works

1. For Officials, you can 'upload' Survivors from TheIsland or TheCenter via the "ARK Tribute" option available at any Supply Crate or Tribute Terminal. You can then 'download' these Survivors onto an Official ScorchedEarth Server of that same game mode. Currently only Survivors are allowed to travel TO ScorchedEarth (they can not have any items on them), in order to keep it balanced for the time being. However, FROM ScorchedEarth you can transfer Survivors, Items, and Dinos, which you can then download (via the ARK Tribute) onto TheIsland or TheCenter. So indeed you can bring all ScorchedEarth Items, Dinos, and Survivors (and thus Scorched Earth Engrams) onto TheIsland or TheCenter to extend your capabilities there. When transferring a Survivor between ARKs using this method, Tribes should be retained. However Alliances will not be retained, and will need to be re-setup on the other side.

2. For Unofficial Servers, if they wish to allow dynamic Cross-ARK Travel, they will need to run two Servers on the same box from the same directory, and then you can launch with the following commandlines:

ShooterGameServer.exe ScorchedEarth_P?SessionName=MySession1?AltSaveDirectoryName=Save1 -NoTransferFromFiltering -clusterid=mycluster123
ShooterGameServer.exe TheIsland?SessionName=MySession2?AltSaveDirectoryName=Save2  -NoTransferFromFiltering  -clusterid=mycluster123

(the clusterid must be the same between the servers!)
(to avoid saves from clashing each server should use distinct values for: ?AltSaveDirectoryName=<SaveFolderName>)

you also have options like:

?PreventDownloadSurvivors=False
?PreventDownloadItems=False
?PreventDownloadDinos=False
?PreventUploadSurvivors=False
?PreventUploadItems=False
?PreventUploadDinos=False

247.85 added the ability to specify a common cross-server storage location that functions between multiple servers running on the same machine by adding the following launch parameter to each server:

-ClusterDirOverride=C:/TestStorage/

3. Meanwhile in singleplayer, you can just use the "ARK Tribute" option and then go back to the main menu and host on the other map, and download your data accordingly. We will streamline this process soon as well.