How to Edit GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini on Your ARK Server
ARK uses two config files to control almost everything about your server. Learn what goes in each file, where to find them, and how to edit them without breaking your server.
The Two Config Files
ARK splits its configuration across two files. Knowing which setting goes in which file will save you a lot of frustration.
GameUserSettings.ini
This is the main server config file. It controls:
- Server name, passwords, and networking
- Rates (XP, taming, harvesting, breeding)
- Player and dino stat multipliers
- Tribe settings
- RCON configuration
- Day/night cycle speed
- PvP/PvE rules
Most settings live under the [ServerSettings] section. Session-level settings (server name, map) go under [SessionSettings].
[SessionSettings]
SessionName=My ARK Server
[ServerSettings]
ServerPassword=joinme
ServerAdminPassword=adminpass
XPMultiplier=2.0
TamingSpeedMultiplier=3.0
Game.ini
Game.ini controls deeper game rule overrides that are not exposed in GameUserSettings.ini:
- Engram unlocks and overrides
- Per-dino stat multipliers (per level, per species)
- Custom loot crate drops
- Breeding and imprinting fine-tuning
- Max creature level overrides
Settings go under [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode].
[/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode]
MatingIntervalMultiplier=0.1
EggHatchSpeedMultiplier=10.0
BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier=20.0
File Location
Both files are in the same folder on your server:
ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/
On your DustBowl.Games control panel, use the File Manager to navigate to this path and open either file.
Safe Editing Procedure
- Stop the server. This is the most important step. If the server is running when you save your changes, the server will overwrite your edits with the in-memory config when it shuts down.
- Open the file in the File Manager (or download it, edit locally, re-upload).
- Make your changes.
- Save the file.
- Start the server.
Creating Game.ini If It Does Not Exist
If you have never customized Game.ini, it may not exist yet. That is fine — create it manually. The minimum valid content is just the section header:
[/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode]
Add your settings below that line. The server will read it on startup.
Common Mistakes
Editing while the server is running. Your changes will be overwritten when the server saves and exits. Always stop first.
Putting settings in the wrong file. If a setting belongs in Game.ini but you put it in GameUserSettings.ini, the server ignores it silently. Double-check documentation for each setting to confirm which file it belongs in.
Windows line endings. If you edit the file on Windows and save it with CRLF line endings, ARK on Linux may fail to parse some lines. Use a text editor that supports Unix (LF) line endings, or use the built-in File Manager editor in the control panel which handles this automatically.
Typos in section headers. [ServerSettings] must be spelled exactly right. A typo means ARK reads the section as unknown and ignores everything under it.
Missing section header. Every group of settings needs its section header. Do not paste settings before the [ServerSettings] or [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode] line.