Server Configuration
Configurable options for your ARK: Survival Evolved server, including GameUserSettings.ini, Game.ini, and startup values.
Top Tip
Startup values are passed to the server as launch parameters, and take priority over anything set in GameUserSettings.ini.
Startup Values
| Name | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Server Name | Shown in the server browser. | My ARK Server |
| Server Password | Optional, leave blank for a public server. | (blank) |
| Admin Password | Required. Used with the in-game enablecheats <password> command to gain admin access. | changeme |
| Server Map | Which map to run. See the list in Getting Started. | TheIsland |
| Max Players | Maximum number of players able to join. | 70 |
| Query Port | Used by Steam and the in-game server browser to list your server. Needs its own allocation to work externally. | 27015 |
| RCON Port | Used for remote console access. Needs its own allocation if you want to connect from outside your service. | 27020 |
| Auto Update | Updates the server software on every restart. | Enabled |
| Battle Eye | Toggles BattlEye anti-cheat. On by default. | Enabled |
| Additional Arguments | Extra launch flags, space separated, each starting with a dash. Used for things like crossplay. | -crossplay -exclusivejoin |
Local RCON is required
The server uses a local RCON connection internally to save and shut down gracefully, this isn't optional and doesn't need an allocation to work. You'll only need to allocate the RCON Port if you want to connect to it yourself from outside your service using an RCON tool.
GameUserSettings.ini
Located at ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini, and can be edited using SFTP or the file manager. Most day-to-day settings live under the [ServerSettings] section.
Stop your server first
ARK rewrites this file on shutdown, overwriting any changes made while the server is still running. Always stop your server before editing it directly.
| Name | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| XPMultiplier | Global XP rate multiplier. | 2.0 |
| TamingSpeedMultiplier | How much faster taming completes compared to official rates. | 5.0 |
| HarvestAmountMultiplier | How much resource is gathered per hit/harvest. | 3.0 |
Game.ini
Located at ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/Game.ini, under the [/script/shootergame.shootergamemode] section.
Not the same file as GameUserSettings.ini
Breeding, imprinting, per-level stat, and XP cap settings only work in Game.ini. If you paste them into GameUserSettings.ini instead, they'll be silently ignored.
| Name | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| BabyImprintAmountMultiplier | How much imprint percentage each cuddle gives. | 3.0 |
Verify Against Your Version
ARK has a large number of configurable settings beyond what's listed above. If a specific option you need isn't listed, check the official ARK Community Wiki for the full, current list.