ARK server rates explained: GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini
Every ARK server feels different, because owners change the rates: how fast you level, how quickly you tame, how much a hit of the pickaxe gives. Those changes live in two text files. Getting them right takes a little care, because ARK overwrites the files in some situations, and the numbers behave in ways that are not always obvious.
Where the files are
Both are in the server's configuration folder, under ShooterGame/Saved/Config/ and then a folder named for the platform, such as WindowsServer or LinuxServer. You can open them in the file manager or download them with SFTP.
GameUserSettings.iniholds most of the settings you will change: rates, passwords and server options.Game.iniholds more detailed gameplay overrides, such as experience curves and custom item behaviours.
The golden rule: edit while stopped
ARK writes its current settings back to GameUserSettings.ini when it shuts down. If you edit the file while the server runs and then stop it, your changes can be overwritten with the old values. The safe order is always:
- Stop the server completely.
- Edit the file.
- Start the server.
Check your changes took effect after the first start, and keep a copy of the file before you edit it.
The common rate settings
Most go under the [ServerSettings] heading in GameUserSettings.ini:
| Setting | What it changes | Default | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
XPMultiplier | Experience gained | 1.0 | Higher means faster levelling |
TamingSpeedMultiplier | How fast taming bars fill | 1.0 | Higher means faster taming |
HarvestAmountMultiplier | Resources per hit | 1.0 | Higher means more yield |
MatingIntervalMultiplier | Wait between mating | 1.0 | Lower means shorter waits |
EggHatchSpeedMultiplier | How fast eggs hatch | 1.0 | Higher means faster |
BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier | How fast babies grow | 1.0 | Higher means faster |
BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier | Wait between imprint cuddles | 1.0 | Lower means more frequent |
DifficultyOffset | Level scale of wild creatures | varies | Ties to the next setting |
OverrideOfficialDifficulty | Maximum wild creature level | 4.0 | A value of 5.0 gives level 150 creatures |
The most common beginner mistake is using the wrong direction. Rates that describe a speed go up to speed things up, but rates that describe an interval go down. If you set MatingIntervalMultiplier to 5, you have made players wait five times longer.
Start with modest changes, such as 2 to 5 times, and see how it feels. Extreme rates, such as 100 times, make the game finish in a day and often break the experience.
Passwords and players
[ServerSettings]
ServerPassword=
ServerAdminPassword=a-long-random-password
[/Script/Engine.GameSession]
MaxPlayers=40
ServerPasswordis the join password. Leave it empty for a public server.ServerAdminPasswordgives players admin power when they enter it in the game, so keep it long and private. See ARK admin commands and cheats.MaxPlayerssets the slot count. Choose a number your plan can carry.
Other useful settings
AutoSavePeriodMinutescontrols how often the world saves. The default is 15 minutes.AllowThirdPersonPlayerandServerCrosshairchange the game feel.ShowMapPlayerLocationreveals your position on the map.DisableStructureDecayPvEstops structures decaying on PvE servers.
Do not copy every setting from a large list online. Each added setting is another thing that can go wrong.
Game.ini overrides
Game.ini handles detailed changes, such as a custom experience curve through LevelExperienceRampOverrides, or maximum levels for players and creatures. These are exact and use long lines of numbers, and a typo can stop the file loading. Take a copy before you edit, and change one thing at a time.
When a setting does nothing
- The server was running. See the golden rule above.
- A typo in the heading or name. Settings must sit under the right
[Section], and spelling and capitalisation matter. - The value was reset on shutdown. Stop, edit, start.
- A mod overrides it. Some mods set their own values.
Watch the first startup for errors, using How to read your server logs. And see Set up your ARK: Survival Evolved server for the basics of getting a server running.
Still stuck? Open a ticket on Discord - run /ticket in any channel, pick a department, and include your Server ID or Invoice ID so we can jump straight in.