ARK Ascended Server Settings — GameUserSettings.ini Reference
This page covers ARK Survival Ascended (ASA) server settings with a focus on what differs from ARK: Survival Evolved (ASE) and the ASA-exclusive options documented on the official ARK Community Wiki. For the broader server configuration patterns shared between ASE and ASA see ARK Server Configuration.
Two config files matter: GameUserSettings.ini for most server-side settings, Game.ini for advanced overrides (engram unlocks, stat multipliers, creature spawn balancing, item crafting).
What's Different in ASA vs ASE
Per the official ARK Community Wiki (Server configuration), notable ASA changes:
- ASA uses
-mods=launch arg, not-MapModIDas ASE used. - ASA maps use the
_WP(World Partition) suffix — e.g.,TheIsland_WP, notTheIsland. - Several ASE legacy DLC options are marked unavailable for ASA: Genesis Part 1, Genesis Part 2, Crystal Isles, Lost Island, Fjordur. Don't carry those settings forward.
- Mods come from CurseForge (numeric IDs) rather than Steam Workshop.
ASA-Exclusive [ServerSettings] Keys
Settings introduced specifically for ASA, documented on the ARK Community Wiki:
| Setting | What it controls |
|---|---|
ActiveMapMod | Specifies which map mod loads (used when running a community map) |
AllowCryoFridgeOnSaddle | Enables placing cryofridges on platform saddles / rafts |
AllowTekSuitPowersInGenesis | Enables TEK suit abilities in Genesis: Part 1 (carries over to ASA's content path) |
ArmadoggoDeathCooldown | Respawn timing for Armadoggo (default 3600 seconds) |
CosmoWeaponAmmoReloadAmount | Webslinger ammo regeneration amount |
Common [ServerSettings] Keys (ASA + ASE)
The following keys are documented in both ASA and ASE Server configuration; their behavior is consistent across both games:
[ServerSettings]
ServerPassword=
ServerAdminPassword=YourAdminPasswordHere
SpectatorPassword=
RCONEnabled=true
RCONPort=27020
RCONServerGameLogBuffer=600
DifficultyOffset=1.0
OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0
XPMultiplier=1.0
HarvestAmountMultiplier=1.0
TamingSpeedMultiplier=1.0
ServerPVE=false
ServerHardcore=false
PreventOfflinePvP=false
PreventOfflinePvPInterval=0
AutoSavePeriodMinutes=15
AdminLogging=false
BanListURL=
AllowThirdPersonPlayer=true
AllowRaidDinoFeeding=false
DisableImprintDinoBuff=false
AllowAnyoneBabyImprintCuddle=falseFor the full key list see the official ARK Community Wiki Server configuration page.
Mods in GameUserSettings vs Launch Arg
Two ways to specify mods on an ASA server:
- Launch arg:
-mods=ID1,ID2,ID3— comma-separated CurseForge IDs. This is the canonical method and what our panel uses. ActiveModsin GameUserSettings.ini: Same format. The wiki notes: "ModIDs are comma separated and in one line. Priority is in descending order (the left-most ModID has the highest priority)."
If both are set, behavior depends on launch order — keep one source of truth (we recommend the launch arg). For mod-loading issues see ASA mods not loading.
Game.ini Advanced Overrides
Per the official ARK Community Wiki, Game.ini handles "more advanced modifications, such as changing engram points or XP rewarded per level, disabling specific content, or rebalancing depending on player tastes." Common entries include:
- Per-level stat multipliers (Health, Stamina, Weight, Damage, etc.)
- Engram unlock and point cost overrides
- Creature spawn rate and class overrides
- Item crafting cost adjustments
- Cluster transfer toggles
Concrete examples for stat multipliers and engram overrides — including the ASA _WP map context — are covered in ARK custom level caps and ARK taming multipliers.
Common Settings Mistakes Specific to ASA
| Mistake | Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Using legacy ASE map identifier (e.g., TheIsland) instead of TheIsland_WP | Server boots wrong map or fails to load | Use the _WP suffix per the official wiki |
| Carrying forward Genesis / Crystal Isles / Lost Island / Fjordur references from ASE | Settings ignored or fail validation | Remove — those maps aren't on ASA |
Putting Steam Workshop IDs in -mods= | Mods don't load | Use CurseForge numeric IDs for ASA |
Setting MaxPlayers in INI without -WinLiveMaxPlayers= launch flag | Player cap not honored | Pass both — the launch flag is authoritative for the runtime cap |
?ServerAdminPassword= placed before other ?-args | Admin password silently absorbs the rest of the line | Move ServerAdminPassword to be the LAST ?-arg (per official wiki) |
Templates by Server Style
These are starting points — adjust to your community's preferences. Values shown are illustrative defaults, not rules.
Casual PvE (friend group):
DifficultyOffset=1.0
OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0
XPMultiplier=3.0
HarvestAmountMultiplier=3.0
TamingSpeedMultiplier=5.0
ServerPVE=trueVanilla rates (close to official):
DifficultyOffset=1.0
OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0
XPMultiplier=1.0
HarvestAmountMultiplier=1.0
TamingSpeedMultiplier=1.0
ServerPVE=false
PreventOfflinePvP=true
PreventOfflinePvPInterval=900Live-Edit a Running Server
Many ASA settings can be changed without a full restart via RCON commands, including the AdminCheat family. See ARK admin commands for the full RCON reference.
Related Reading
- How to Set Up an ASA Dedicated Server — full launch arg layout
- ARK Server Configuration — shared ASE+ASA reference
- ARK custom level caps
- ARK taming multipliers
- ARK Cluster Setup
- Official: ARK Community Wiki — Server configuration
Quick Start with Supercraft
Supercraft's panel exposes the settings on this page as form fields — no editing INI files. The ASA-specific options (ActiveMapMod, ServerPlatform, mod IDs, cluster ID, ActiveEvent, MaxNumOfSaveBackups) are all panel-driven. Apply a template, tweak from there.