How to Configure your ARK Server Settings

All Shockbyte's ARK servers are fully customisable. You can configure your server's properties, GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini with ease all through the Shockbyte Control Panel. This allows you to change map, stat multipliers, server name and way more.

# Important Notes

Here are a few tips and important notes we always suggest when changing ARK configuration as it can be very tedious and even minor mistakes can cause issues with your server.

Before making changes to config files, always Stop your server.
If you are not sure if a specific option goes into GameUserSettings.ini or Game.ini, use the Ark Wiki, search (CTRL+ F) for the option and then find the subheading it is under to determine which file requires it.
If there is an option you wish to change but you do not see it in the correct file, then you simply need to manually add it as it is not there by default.
If your GameUserSettings.ini is resetting on restart, then you can check out our Knowledgebase article to troubleshoot this.
If your Game.ini is resetting on restart, then you have not added [/script/shootergame.shootergamemode] at the top of the file.
When selecting values for settings, it's important to know if making the default higher or lower, increases/decreases the duration of the set option.
- Example: XPMultiplier=2.0 means that there is twice as much XP gain. However, setting MatingIntervalMultiplier=2.0 does not speed up the interval but actually increases its duration. Setting MatingIntervalMultiplier=0.5 would decrease the interval duration (meaning they would mate more frequently).

# Config File Locations

You can find GameUserSettings.ini, and Game.ini with the following steps:

Access your control panel.
Navigate to Files.
Navigate to the path /ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer and select the file you wish to edit.

ARK.properties and some settings of GameUserSettings.ini can also be found under the Config section:

Note

Not all settings of GameUserSettings.ini can be changed using this method. Please use the method above if you wish to edit a setting that is unavailable like this.

Access your control panel.
Navigate to Config.

ARK server with the Config button highlighted

Select the file you wish to edit.

# ARK.properties

ARK.properties provides basic server administration that is necessary for all server owners. The table below provides descriptions for each of the settings available to help develop your understanding.

Setting	Accepted Values	Description
Server name	Any	The display name for your server on the in-game server list.
Server Map	Any ARK map available	Selects the active map on your server.
Automatic Updates	Enabled/Disabled	Controls if the game automatically updates alongside Steam.
BattleEye Anti-cheat	Enabled/Disabled	Controls if anti-cheat is active on your server.
Active Event	Any ARK event (Easter, Extinction Chronicles, etc.)	Selects an event to be active on your server.
Server Admin Password	Any	Sets an admin password to your server.
Server Password	Any	Sets a password to your server. Please know that Epic Games users can not join a server with a password.
CrossPlay	Enabled/Disabled	Controls if Crossplay between Steam and Epic Games is active.
Use Vivox	Enabled/Disabled	Controls if Unity Vivox is used for VoIP.
level-name	Any	Sets a name to the world you are using.

# GameUserSettings.ini

This file contains configuration for many settings for your ARK server. When inspecting GameUserSettings.ini, you can find and input all of these settings under the [ServerSettings] label.

By default, it includes settings like Third Person, Cave Building, and more. However, just because you may not see settings there by default, this does not mean you can't add additional options.

You can find the full list of GameUserSettings.ini options at the ARK Wiki.

The ARK Wiki showing available GameUserSettings

When entering additional settings to this file, please ensure you enter them below the heading [ServerSettings] and in the following format: <OptionName>=<Value>

Example: XPMultiplier=2.00000 Sets XP gain to 2x the default value

File manager showing GameUserSettings

# GameUserSettings Generator

A really helpful tool can be found on ArkForum who created a great GameUserSettings.ini Generator, which allows you to select the server settings you wish and create a pre-configured file that you can copy and paste.

ARK Forum GameUserSettings.ini Generator

To use the Generator you can follow these steps:

Set all your desired options.
Click create file.

Generator with create file button highlighted

Rather than hitting download, copy all of the text between the subheadings [ServerSettings] and [/script/engine.gamesession].

Do not copy the [ServerSettings] or [/script/engine.gamesession] lines as they will duplicate in your config file, causing it to break.

Generator site with selected settings and copy highlighted

Access your control panel and Stop your server.
Navigate to Config.

ARK server with the Config button highlighted

Open GameUserSettings.ini.

Open Game User Settings via Config file

Replace all of the settings under [ServerSettings] by pasting the text from step 3.

Paste content of generator into GameUserSettings

Save and Start your server.

# Game.ini

This file is used for more advanced modifications, like per level stat upgrades, disabling content and more. By default, this file will be empty for all users.

When entering settings to Game.ini, you must enter [/script/shootergame.shootergamemode] at the top of the file so that options entered are applied and to avoid the file resetting on restart. When entering options please ensure you enter them below the heading [/script/shootergame.shootergamemode] and in the following format: <Optionname>=<value>

Example: MatingIntervalMultiplier=2.00000 sets Mating Interval to 2x longer than the default value.

The file manager showing game.ini and its structure

You can find the full list of Game.ini settings on the ARK Wiki.

# Additional Knowledgebase Articles

We have created additional Knowledgebase articles to cover the most common configurations that ARK server owners make.

Still got questions?