How To Configure Your Ark Survival Evolved Server

Here’s how you can locate the and edit the most common configuration files for your Ark Survival Evolved server.

This guide covers in-depth and detailed configuration for both the Game.ini and GameUserSettings.ini files manually, or using the GameUserSettings.ini Generator. A powerful tool available on ArkForum that simplifies ARK server configuration. Instead of manually adding and configuring every setting this tool includes an easy-to-use interface to quickly generate your GameUserSettings.ini settings.

GameUserSettings.ini is the most common file for configuration, while Game.ini is for advanced users who want granular control over their servers.

A full breakdown of settings can also be found on the ARK SE Server Configuration Wiki.

Using The GameUserSettings.ini Generator

Note

Basic settings such as Server Name and Password are set in our game panel under Configuration > Startup Parameters.

1. Use the ARK GameUserSettings.ini Generator to set your desired settings.
2. Click Create File then copy everything directly under the [ServerSettings] section in the generated output.
3. Login to the Game Host Bros Panel and Stop your Ark server.
4. In Management > File Manager, Navigate to /ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini.
5. Paste the settings you copied earlier under the header of [ServerSettings], replacing what used to be there.
6. Start your server.

Here’s an example of what your settings file should look like after you’ve pasted in your new settings, only replacing the settings under the [ServerSettings] header in your GameUserSettings.ini file:

GameUserSettings.ini [ServerSettings] Example

GameUserSettings.ini

[ServerSettings]
allowThirdPersonPlayer=0
AllowCaveBuildingPvE=0
alwaysNotifyPlayerJoined=0
alwaysNotifyPlayerLeft=0
bAllowFlyerCarryPvE=0
bDisableStructureDecayPvE=0
DayCycleSpeedScale=1.00000
DayTimeSpeedScale=1.00000
NightTimeSpeedScale=1.00000
DinoCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier=1.00000
DinoCharacterHealthRecoveryMultiplier=1.00000
DinoCharacterStaminaDrainMultiplier=1.00000
DinoCountMultiplier=1.00000
DinoDamageMultiplier=1.00000
DinoResistanceMultiplier=1.00000
globalVoiceChat=0
HarvestAmountMultiplier=1.00000
HarvestHealthMultiplier=1.00000
MaxStructuresInRange=6700
noTributeDownloads=0
PreventDownloadSurvivors=0
PreventDownloadItems=0
PreventDownloadDinos=0
PlayerCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier=1.00000
PlayerCharacterHealthRecoveryMultiplier=1.00000
PlayerCharacterStaminaDrainMultiplier=1.00000
PlayerCharacterWaterDrainMultiplier=1.00000
PlayerDamageMultiplier=1.00000
PlayerResistanceMultiplier=1.00000
proximityChat=0
ResourceNoReplenishRadiusPlayers=1.00000
ResourceNoReplenishRadiusStructures=1.00000
ResourcesRespawnPeriodMultiplier=1.00000
ServerAdminPassword=
ServerCrosshair=0
serverForceNoHud=0
serverHardcore=0
ServerPassword=
serverPVE=0
ShowMapPlayerLocation=0
StructureDamageMultiplier=1.00000
StructureResistanceMultiplier=1.00000
TamedDinoDamageMultiplier=1.00000
TamedDinoResistanceMultiplier=1.00000
TamingSpeedMultiplier=1.00000
XPMultiplier=1.00000
EnablePVPGamma=0
EnablePVEGamma=0
SpectatorPassword=
DifficultyOffset=0.50000
PvEStructureDecayPeriodMultiplier=1.00000
PvEStructureDecayDestructionPeriod=1.00000
Banlist="http://arkdedicated.com/banlist.txt"
PvPStructureDecay=0
DisableDinoDecayPvE=0
PvEDinoDecayPeriodMultiplier=1.00000
AdminLogging=0
MaxTamedDinos=8000
MaxNumbersofPlayersInTribe=2
BattleNumOfTribestoStartGame=2
TimeToCollapseROD=100
BattleAutoStartGameInterval=100
BattleSuddenDeathInterval=300
KickIdlePlayersPeriod=1800
PerPlatformMaxStructuresMultiplier=1.00000
StructureDamageRepairCooldown=180
bForceAllStructureLocking=1
AutoDestroyOldStructuresMultiplier=0.00000
bUseVSync=0
MaxPlatformSaddleStructureLimit=100
bPassiveDefensesDamageRiderlessDinos=1
RCONPort=27020
AutoSavePeriodMinutes=20
RCONServerGameLogBuffer=600
OverrideStructurePlatformPrevention=0
PreventOfflinePvPInterval=60.0
bPvPDinoDecay=1
bPvPStructureDecay=1
DisableImprintDinoBuff=1
AllowAnyoneBabyImprintCuddle=1
EnableExtraStructurePreventionVolumes=1
ShowFloatingDamageText=1
DestroyUnconnectedWaterPipes=0
OverrideOfficialDifficulty=1.0
TheMaxStructuresInRange=10500
MinimumDinoReuploadInterval=0
PvEAllowStructuresAtSupplyDrops=0
NPCNetworkStasisRangeScalePlayerCountStart=70
NPCNetworkStasisRangeScalePlayerCountEnd=120
NPCNetworkStasisRangeScalePercentEnd=0.50
MaxPersonalTamedDinos=500
AutoDestroyDecayedDinos=1
ClampItemSpoilingTimes=0
UseOptimizedHarvestingHealth=1
AllowCrateSpawnsOnTopOfStructures=1
ForceFlyerExplosives=0
PreventOfflinePvP=1
AllowFlyingStaminaRecovery=1
AllowMultipleAttachedC4=1
OxygenSwimSpeedStatMultiplier=1.00
bPvEDisableFriendlyFire=1
ServerAutoForceRespawnWildDinosInterval=86400
DisableWeatherFog=0
RandomSupplyCratePoints=0
CrossARKAllowForeignDinoDownloads=0
PersonalTamedDinosSaddleStructureCost=19

Manually Configuring GameUserSettings.ini

By default, an ARK: SE server won’t include all of the settings in your GameUserSettings.ini file. Here’s how to add them and how they’re correctly formatted.

1. Login to the Game Host Bros Panel and Stop your Ark server.
2. Go to Management > File Manager.
3. Navigate to /ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini.
4. After you have made the changes you want, start your server.

All GameUserSettings.ini Settings And Their Headers

The following settings must be placed under their respective headers in GameUserSettings.ini, here are all of them. For example MaxTributeDinos must be placed under [serversettings] in your file.

[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 - the format is unknown according to the wiki
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

By default, an ARK: SE server won’t include any settings in your Game.ini file. Game.ini is an advanced configuration file that can be used to customize your server.

1. Firstly, login to the Game Host Bros Panel and Stop your Ark server.
2. On the sidebar, go to Management > File Manager.
3. Navigate to /ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/Game.ini.
4. After you have made the changes you want, start your server.

Main Game.ini Settings And Their Headers

Here are all of the main Game.ini settings, a total breakdown of them can be found here.

[/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 with AutoPvEStartTimeSeconds and AutoPvEStopTimeSeconds
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 configuration 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)