ARK: Survival Ascended Server Settings Generator

Set rates, difficulty, breeding, PvE and tame limits, then copy a ready GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini. Free, no sign-up, works on any host.

Every setting name is checked against the Ascended server program, build 26477280. 111 settings in two files: 77 in GameUserSettings.ini and 34 in Game.ini.

Start from a preset, then change anything:

This generator needs JavaScript. Every setting, its default and what it does is listed in the tables further down this page.

How to use these files on any ARK: Survival Ascended server

Stop the server. ARK writes GameUserSettings.ini back when it shuts down, so a file changed while it runs can be overwritten.
Open ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/GameUserSettings.ini. Paste the lines from the first tab under the [ServerSettings] heading that is already there, and replace any line with the same name. Keep the other sections as they are.
Open Game.ini in the same folder, or create it, and paste the second tab. The section heading must be the first line of your settings: [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode].
Start the server. Settings on the launch line, such as ?ServerPVE=True, win over the same setting in the files.

How to use them on PlayNHost

Tick For a PlayNHost server above. The panel sets the server name, admin password, player limit and ports on the launch line, adds the join password when you set one and turns PvE on from there. The launch line wins over the files.
Easiest: open your server in the Game Panel, click Settings, then Game User Settings or Game Rules (Game.ini) under Config files. Most settings on this page have the same name there. Stop the server before you save Game User Settings: the panel asks for it, because ARK rewrites the file when it stops.
A new server has no Game.ini, so Game Rules (Game.ini) is not listed at first. Create it once: in Files, open ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer, click New file, name it Game.ini, type [/script/shootergame.shootergamemode] as the first line and save. Then it appears under Config files.
For a setting the editor does not list, stop the server, open the file in Files under ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer, paste the lines from this page into the right section, save and start.

Step by step: How to edit GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini, How to change rates, breeding and imprinting, structures and decay, and every option in the ARK: Survival Ascended settings reference. Looking for a server? See ARK: Survival Ascended server hosting.

Run your ARK: Survival Ascended server on PlayNHost

Instant setup, DDoS protection, automatic backups and a 72-hour money-back guarantee. Rates, difficulty, breeding and structures are in the panel's settings editors.

See plans

Every setting on this page

The same settings as the generator, with the default the game uses when the line is missing.

GameUserSettings.ini, section [ServerSettings] (server name under [SessionSettings])

Setting	Default	Values	What it does
`SessionName` Server name	ARK # and a number		The name in the server browser. Written under [SessionSettings]. Leave empty to leave it out.
`ServerPassword` Join password	empty		Players must type this to join. Empty means anyone can join. Letters and numbers only, no quotes.
`ServerAdminPassword` Admin password	empty		Unlocks admin commands in the game console. Letters and numbers only, no quotes.
`AutoSavePeriodMinutes` Autosave every (minutes)	15.0	number	How often the world is saved. 0 saves constantly.
`AdminLogging` Show admin commands in chat	False	True or False	Every admin command is written to the in-game chat.
`KickIdlePlayersPeriod` Kick idle players after (seconds)	3600	whole number	How long a player can stand still before being kicked. Works only with the -EnableIdlePlayerKick launch flag.
`XPMultiplier` Experience rate	1.0	number	Multiplies the experience players, tribes and tames earn. 1 is normal, 2 is double.
`TamingSpeedMultiplier` Taming speed	1.0	number	Higher tames creatures faster. 1 is normal.
`HarvestAmountMultiplier` Harvest amount	1.0	number	Multiplies the resources each hit on a tree, rock or bush gives. 1 is normal.
`HarvestHealthMultiplier` Resource node health	1.0	number	Higher means trees and rocks take more hits to break, so each one gives more in total. 1 is normal.
`ResourcesRespawnPeriodMultiplier` Resource respawn time	1.0	number	Lower makes trees, rocks and bushes grow back sooner. 1 is normal.
`ItemStackSizeMultiplier` Stack size	1.0	number	Multiplies how many of an item fit in one stack. Items that never stack are not affected. 1 is normal.
`DayCycleSpeedScale` Day and night cycle speed	1.0	number	How fast the whole day passes. Lower makes days longer; 1 is normal.
`DayTimeSpeedScale` Daytime speed	1.0	number	How fast daytime passes on top of the cycle speed. Lower makes daytime longer.
`NightTimeSpeedScale` Night speed	1.0	number	How fast the night passes on top of the cycle speed. Higher makes nights shorter.
`DifficultyOffset` Difficulty	1.0	number	Sets the difficulty level, which decides how high wild creatures can level. Works together with the official difficulty override below.
`OverrideOfficialDifficulty` Official difficulty override	0.0	number	Sets the difficulty level directly: 5 lets wild creatures spawn up to level 150, as on official servers. 0 leaves it off.
`ServerHardcore` Hardcore	False	True or False	A character that dies starts again from level 1.
`DinoCountMultiplier` Wild creature numbers	1.0	number	Multiplies how many wild creatures spawn. Higher values use more memory and CPU. 1 is normal. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.
`PreventDiseases` No diseases	False	True or False	Turns diseases such as Swamp Fever off.
`NonPermanentDiseases` Diseases end at death	False	True or False	Permanent diseases go away when the player respawns.
`PlayerCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier` Player hunger	1.0	number	How fast players get hungry. Lower is slower; 1 is normal.
`PlayerCharacterWaterDrainMultiplier` Player thirst	1.0	number	How fast players get thirsty. Lower is slower; 1 is normal.
`PlayerCharacterStaminaDrainMultiplier` Player stamina use	1.0	number	How fast players use stamina. Lower is slower; 1 is normal.
`PlayerCharacterHealthRecoveryMultiplier` Player health recovery	1.0	number	How fast players heal on their own. Higher is faster; 1 is normal.
`PlayerDamageMultiplier` Player damage	1.0	number	Multiplies the damage players deal. 1 is normal.
`PlayerResistanceMultiplier` Damage players take	1.0	number	Multiplies the damage players receive. Lower makes players tougher; 1 is normal.
`OxygenSwimSpeedStatMultiplier` Swim speed from oxygen points	1.0	number	How much each level put into oxygen raises swim speed. 1 is normal.
`PreventSpawnAnimations` Skip the wake-up animation	False	True or False	Players spawn and respawn without the wake-up animation.
`DinoDamageMultiplier` Wild creature damage	1.0	number	Multiplies the damage wild creatures deal. 1 is normal.
`DinoResistanceMultiplier` Damage wild creatures take	1.0	number	Multiplies the damage wild creatures receive. Lower makes them tougher; 1 is normal.
`DinoCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier` Creature hunger	1.0	number	How fast creatures get hungry. It also changes taming times. 1 is normal.
`DinoCharacterStaminaDrainMultiplier` Creature stamina use	1.0	number	How fast creatures use stamina. Lower is slower; 1 is normal.
`DinoCharacterHealthRecoveryMultiplier` Creature health recovery	1.0	number	How fast creatures heal on their own. Higher is faster; 1 is normal.
`MaxTamedDinos` Tame limit for the server	5000	whole number	The most tamed creatures the whole server can hold at once.
`MaxPersonalTamedDinos` Tame limit per tribe	0	whole number	The most tames one tribe can own. 0 means no limit per tribe.
`MaxTamedDinos_SoftTameLimit` Soft tame limit	5000	whole number	Above this many tames on the server, new tames are marked to be put in a cryopod. Used with the next setting. Ascended only.
`DestroyTamesOverTheSoftTameLimit` Destroy tames over the soft limit	False	True or False	Tames over the soft limit get a timer and are destroyed if nobody puts them in a cryopod. Ascended only.
`AllowRaidDinoFeeding` Titanosaurs can be fed	False	True or False	Lets players feed a tamed Titanosaur so it stays tamed.
`RaidDinoCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier` Titanosaur hunger	1.0	number	How fast raid creatures such as the Titanosaur get hungry. 1 is normal.
`AllowAnyoneBabyImprintCuddle` Anyone can cuddle babies	False	True or False	Any player can care for a baby creature, not only the one who imprints on it.
`DisableImprintDinoBuff` No imprint rider bonus	False	True or False	Removes the extra damage and resistance a creature gets when ridden by the player who imprinted it.
`ServerPVE` PvE only	False	True or False	Turns off player versus player combat, so players can only fight the world.
`AllowFlyerCarryPvE` Flyers can carry wild creatures in PvE	False	True or False	Lets flying tames pick up wild creatures on a PvE server.
`AllowCaveBuildingPvE` Building in caves in PvE	False	True or False	Lets players build inside caves on a PvE server.
`AllowCaveBuildingPvP` Building in caves in PvP	True	True or False	Off stops players building inside caves on a PvP server.
`PreventOfflinePvP` Offline raid protection	False	True or False	When every member of a tribe is offline, its players, tames and buildings cannot be damaged.
`PreventOfflinePvPInterval` Offline protection starts after (seconds)	0	whole number	How long after the last tribe member logs off the protection starts.
`PvPDinoDecay` Creature decay in PvP	False	True or False	Tames decay on a PvP server while offline raid protection is on.
`PreventTribeAlliances` No tribe alliances	False	True or False	Tribes cannot form alliances.
`AllowMultipleAttachedC4` Several C4 per creature	False	True or False	Players can stick more than one C4 charge on a creature.
`EnablePvPGamma` Gamma command in PvP	False	True or False	Players can use the gamma console command on a PvP server.
`DisablePvEGamma` No gamma command in PvE	False	True or False	Players cannot use the gamma console command on a PvE server.
`RandomSupplyCratePoints` Random supply drop spots	False	True or False	Supply drops land in random places. The wiki warns this can make artifacts unreachable on Ragnarok.
`PvEAllowStructuresAtSupplyDrops` Build near supply drops in PvE	False	True or False	Lets players build next to supply drop points on a PvE server.
`StructureDamageMultiplier` Structure damage	1.0	number	Multiplies the damage structures such as spike walls deal. 1 is normal. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.
`StructureResistanceMultiplier` Damage structures take	1.0	number	Multiplies the damage structures receive. Lower makes bases tougher; 1 is normal.
`DisableStructureDecayPvE` No structure decay	False	True or False	Structures of players who stop playing are never removed by decay.
`PvEStructureDecayPeriodMultiplier` Structure decay time	1.0	number	Multiplies how long an abandoned structure lasts before it decays. Higher lasts longer; 1 is normal. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.
`DisableDinoDecayPvE` No creature decay in PvE	False	True or False	Tames of players who stop playing never decay on a PvE server.
`PvEDinoDecayPeriodMultiplier` Creature decay time in PvE	1.0	number	Multiplies how long tames of absent players last on a PvE server. Needs creature decay on.
`AlwaysAllowStructurePickup` Pick up structures any time	False	True or False	Removes the short time limit on picking a placed structure back up.
`EnableExtraStructurePreventionVolumes` No building in resource-rich areas	False	True or False	Blocks building in some busy resource areas, such as around the big mountains on The Island.
`TheMaxStructuresInRange` Structure limit in an area	10500	whole number	The most structures that can be built within one area.
`PerPlatformMaxStructuresMultiplier` Structures on platforms	1.0	number	Multiplies how many structures fit on platform saddles and rafts. 1 is normal.
`ClampResourceHarvestDamage` Limit tame harvest damage	False	True or False	A tame cannot do more damage to a tree or rock than it has health left, so very strong harvesters gather less.
`ShowMapPlayerLocation` Show players on the map	True	True or False	Players see their own position on the map.
`ServerCrosshair` Crosshair	True	True or False	Shows a crosshair on screen.
`AllowThirdPersonPlayer` Third-person camera	True	True or False	Lets players switch to a third-person view.
`ShowFloatingDamageText` Floating damage numbers	False	True or False	Shows damage numbers above whatever is hit.
`AllowHitMarkers` Hit markers	True	True or False	Shows a marker when a ranged attack hits.
`GlobalVoiceChat` Global voice chat	False	True or False	Everyone hears everyone, wherever they are on the map.
`ProximityChat` Nearby text chat only	False	True or False	Only players close by see a chat message.
`ServerForceNoHUD` Hide the HUD of creatures	False	True or False	Hides the info shown over creatures that do not belong to a tribe.
`PreventDownloadSurvivors` Block arriving survivors	False	True or False	Players cannot bring a character here from ARK data.
`PreventDownloadItems` Block arriving items	False	True or False	Players cannot bring items here from ARK data.
`PreventDownloadDinos` Block arriving creatures	False	True or False	Players cannot bring tames here from ARK data.

Game.ini, section [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode]

Setting	Default	Values	What it does
`MatingIntervalMultiplier` Time between matings	1.0	number	Lower lets a tame mate again sooner. 1 is normal.
`MatingSpeedMultiplier` Mating speed	1.0	number	Higher makes mating finish faster. 1 is normal.
`EggHatchSpeedMultiplier` Egg hatch speed	1.0	number	Higher hatches fertilised eggs faster. 1 is normal.
`LayEggIntervalMultiplier` Time between laid eggs	1.0	number	Lower makes tames lay unfertilised eggs more often. 1 is normal.
`BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier` Baby growth speed	1.0	number	Higher makes babies grow up faster. 1 is normal.
`BabyFoodConsumptionSpeedMultiplier` Baby food use	1.0	number	Lower makes babies eat less. 1 is normal.
`BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier` Time between imprint cuddles	1.0	number	Lower makes babies ask for care more often, so imprinting fits into a shorter growth time. 1 is normal.
`BabyImprintAmountMultiplier` Imprint per cuddle	1.0	number	Multiplies how much each cuddle or care adds to imprinting. 1 is normal.
`BabyImprintingStatScaleMultiplier` Imprinting stat bonus	1.0	number	How much imprinting improves a creature's stats. 0 turns the bonus off; 1 is normal.
`CropGrowthSpeedMultiplier` Crop growth speed	1.0	number	Higher makes crops in plots grow faster. 1 is normal.
`CropDecaySpeedMultiplier` Crop decay time	1.0	number	Higher makes crops in plots last longer before rotting. 1 is normal.
`GlobalSpoilingTimeMultiplier` Food spoiling time	1.0	number	Higher makes food and other perishables last longer. 1 is normal.
`GlobalItemDecompositionTimeMultiplier` Dropped item lifetime	1.0	number	Higher keeps dropped items and loot bags on the ground longer. 1 is normal.
`GlobalCorpseDecompositionTimeMultiplier` Body lifetime	1.0	number	Higher keeps bodies in the world longer. 1 is normal. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.
`WildDinoCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier` Wild creature hunger	1.0	number	How fast wild creatures get hungry. 1 is normal.
`TamedDinoCharacterFoodDrainMultiplier` Tamed creature hunger	1.0	number	How fast tamed creatures get hungry. 1 is normal. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.
`KillXPMultiplier` Experience from kills	1.0	number	Multiplies experience from kills, on top of the experience rate in GameUserSettings.ini.
`HarvestXPMultiplier` Experience from harvesting	1.0	number	Multiplies experience from gathering, on top of the experience rate in GameUserSettings.ini.
`CraftXPMultiplier` Experience from crafting	1.0	number	Multiplies experience from crafting, on top of the experience rate in GameUserSettings.ini.
`PlayerHarvestingDamageMultiplier` Player gathering speed	1.0	number	Higher makes players break trees and rocks faster. 1 is normal. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.
`DinoHarvestingDamageMultiplier` Tame gathering speed	3.2	number	Higher makes tames break trees and rocks faster. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.
`SupplyCrateLootQualityMultiplier` Supply drop loot quality	1.0	from 1 to 5	Raises the quality of items in supply drops, from 1 to 5. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.
`FishingLootQualityMultiplier` Fishing loot quality	1.0	from 1 to 5	Raises the quality of items caught by fishing, from 1 to 5. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.
`MaxNumberOfPlayersInTribe` Tribe size limit	0	whole number	The most players one tribe can have. 0 means no limit; 1 turns tribes off. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.
`bAllowUnlimitedRespecs` Unlimited Mindwipe Tonic	False	True or False	Players can reset their stats and engrams again without the 24 hour wait.
`bAutoUnlockAllEngrams` Unlock every engram	False	True or False	Every player can craft everything from the start. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.
`bAllowSpeedLeveling` Movement speed levels	False	True or False	Players and creatures that walk or swim can put levels into movement speed.
`bAllowFlyerSpeedLeveling` Flyer speed levels	False	True or False	Flying creatures can put levels into movement speed. On Ascended this also needs movement speed levels on.
`bDisableStructurePlacementCollision` Build into the terrain	False	True or False	Structures can be placed partly inside the ground and rocks.
`bAllowPlatformSaddleMultiFloors` Several floors on platform saddles	False	True or False	Lets players build more than one floor on a platform saddle. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.
`bDisableFriendlyFire` No friendly fire	False	True or False	Tribe members, their tames and their structures cannot hurt each other.
`bPvEDisableFriendlyFire` No friendly fire in PvE	False	True or False	The same as above, on a PvE server only.
`bUseSingleplayerSettings` Small group balance	False	True or False	Applies the single player balance, which suits one or two players better.
`StructureDamageRepairCooldown` Repair cooldown after damage (seconds)	180	whole number	How long after taking damage a structure can be repaired. 0 turns the wait off. Not yet confirmed for Ascended on the ARK wiki.

Questions

Where is GameUserSettings.ini on an ARK: Survival Ascended server?

In ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ inside the server folder. Game.ini is in the same folder. The server creates GameUserSettings.ini on its first start; Game.ini only exists once something writes it.

What goes in GameUserSettings.ini and what goes in Game.ini?

Rates, difficulty, player and creature multipliers, PvE and interface settings go under [ServerSettings] in GameUserSettings.ini. Breeding, crops, spoiling, experience per action and tribe rules go under [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode] in Game.ini.

Why did my settings change back?

ARK writes GameUserSettings.ini when the server stops. Stop the server first, then edit the file, then start it. A setting on the launch line also wins over the file.

How do I set 2x or 5x rates?

Pick a preset at the top of the generator. The 2x preset doubles experience, taming and harvesting and halves the time between matings and imprint cuddles. Change any value after picking a preset.

Does this work for ARK: Survival Evolved?

Most names are the same, but this page is checked against the Ascended server only. Survival Evolved keeps its files under ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer or WindowsServer, and a few settings here are Ascended only.

Good to know

Where the names come from. Every setting name on this page was found in the Ascended dedicated server program itself (ArkAscendedServer.exe, Steam build 26477280, checked on 7 November 2026). The server download has no loose default .ini files, so there is no official list to copy.
Where the defaults come from. Defaults and what each setting does follow the community ARK wiki server configuration page, read on 7 November 2026. We found no settings reference from Studio Wildcard. 13 settings are marked "Not yet confirmed for Ascended": the wiki lists them for Survival Evolved and has not confirmed them for Ascended.
Only what you change is written. ARK uses its default for any line that is missing, so a short file is easier to check. Tick "Write every setting" for a full list.
Player limit. On Ascended the player limit is the launch flag -WinLiveMaxPlayers, not a line in these files.
Not yet started with these files. We checked the file layout and every setting name against the server program; defaults follow the wiki.
Back up your world before big changes.