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How do I transfer my ark single player to a dedicated server?

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How to Transfer Your Ark Single Player World to a Dedicated Server

Want to bring your hard-earned progress from Ark: Survival Evolved’s single-player mode to a dedicated server? It’s entirely possible, and this article will guide you through the process. Transferring your single-player world, including your character, structures, and tamed dinos, to a dedicated server is a great way to continue your journey with friends or in a more persistent online environment. The process involves locating your save files, copying them to the server, and making some minor adjustments. Let’s get started!

Transferring Your Single Player World: A Step-by-Step Guide

The core process involves copying files from your local game folder to your dedicated server’s save directory, ensuring compatibility and seamless transition.

Step 1: Locating Your Single Player Save Files

First, you’ll need to find where your single player game files are stored.

  1. Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
  2. Right-click on ARK: Survival Evolved and select Properties.
  3. Click on the Local Files tab.
  4. Click on Browse Local Files.
  5. Navigate to the following folder path: ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArksLocal/
  6. Here you will find your single player save files and folders.

This directory contains all the files necessary to transfer your single player experience, specifically:

  • The folder of the map you are playing on (ie: TheIsland, ScorchedEarth, Extinction, etc)
  • A LocalPlayer.arkprofile file ( this contains your character information)

Step 2: Accessing Your Dedicated Server Files

Next, you need to access your dedicated server’s files. The location of these files depends on your server hosting setup.

  • If you host the server on your own machine: You will find the server files inside the SteamCMD install directory, within the arkserver/ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks path.
  • If you use a hosting provider: You will need to use their file manager or an FTP client like FileZilla to access the server files. Your hosting provider should provide these access details. You are looking for the ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks folder.

Step 3: Copying Your Single Player Files to the Server

  1. From your local computer, copy the folder of the map you played in single-player (e.g., TheIsland, ScorchedEarth, etc.) from ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArksLocal/
  2. On your server, navigate to the ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/ directory.
  3. Paste the single player map folder you copied into the SavedArks directory. This will include all the world data, your structures, and tamed dinos.

Step 4: Transferring Your Character

  1. From your local computer, copy the LocalPlayer.arkprofile file from your ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArksLocal directory.
  2. On your server, navigate to the ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks folder.
  3. Rename the LocalPlayer.arkprofile file to your Steam ID. YourSteamID.arkprofile. You can find your Steam ID by visiting a site like SteamID Finder. Important: Replace “YourSteamID” with your actual numeric Steam ID.
  4. Paste the renamed YourSteamID.arkprofile file into the SavedArks folder.

Step 5: Configuration Considerations

Before starting your server after the file transfer, it may be necessary to enable cross-travel and downloads, if not enabled already, within your server’s GameUserSettings.ini file. To make this change, make the following configuration changes, if they aren’t enabled already:

[ServerSettings]
bAllowCrossTravel=True
PreventDownloadSurvivors=False
PreventDownloadItems=False
PreventDownloadDinos=False

These settings allow the game to move creatures, items, and characters between servers, including single-player.

Step 6: Starting Your Server

Now, start your dedicated server. Your single player character, along with your world and structures, should be available on the server. Log in and continue your adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about transferring your Ark Single Player world to a dedicated server, to help clarify any doubts:

1. Can I transfer my single player dinos to a dedicated server?

Yes, you can! The process of copying over your world data includes your dinos. Just be sure to copy the map folder into the SavedArks folder on your server. Ensure that the server allows dino transfers, see Step 5 above.

2. Can I transfer items from my single player game to a dedicated server?

Yes, transferring your map data will transfer all your single player world data, including items. If you wish to bring items or dinos from one server to another server (not from your single player) you can use an obelisk or transmitter. Upload your items in single player and download them on your dedicated server. Make sure item downloads are allowed in your server settings.

3. Can I transfer my single player character to a private server?

Absolutely, by renaming the LocalPlayer.arkprofile to your numeric Steam ID as described above, you can copy your character and their progression over to a private server.

4. Where are the single player Ark save files located?

The single player save files are located in your local Steam install folder of Ark: Survival Evolved, under ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArksLocal. This is usually on the system drive where Windows is installed.

5. Can I transfer from a non-dedicated server to a dedicated server?

Yes, the method is similar. Instead of SavedArksLocal, locate your non-dedicated save files under the Saved/SavedArks/ on the host’s PC. Then, follow the same file copying and renaming process on your dedicated server.

6. What happens if I don’t rename the character file?

If you don’t rename the LocalPlayer.arkprofile file to your Steam ID, your character will not load properly on the server. The server uses the steam ID to identify each player.

7. Does transferring my single player data affect my single player game?

No, copying the files does not affect your single player game unless you remove or delete your single player save file. However, if you make changes on your dedicated server, these changes will not be reflected on your single player game.

8. Are there any limitations to transferring between single player and servers?

Certain creatures like the Chalk Golem and Polar Bear cannot be transferred properly due to map specific mechanics. Some boss trophies and certain items cannot be transferred between servers either. Cryopods are important if you wish to transfer dinos like the Fenrir, as well as being useful to transfer the usual dinos.

9. What are the advantages of using a dedicated server?

Dedicated servers offer greater performance, stability, and the ability to host more players. They also run continuously (24/7), unlike non-dedicated servers.

10. Can my friends join my single player world without a dedicated server?

Yes, you can host a non-dedicated server, but your friends need to be within a limited radius to play with you. With dedicated servers your friends can play on the server at any time as long as the server is running.

11. How do I allow dino transfers on my dedicated server?

To allow dino transfers, make sure that PreventDownloadDinos=False is set in your GameUserSettings.ini.

12. Do I need to pay for a dedicated server?

Yes, dedicated servers generally require renting server space from a hosting provider or maintaining your own dedicated machine which can involve additional costs.

13. Can I use mods on my dedicated server?

Yes, you can use mods on a dedicated server. You’ll need to install the mods on the server by downloading the mods to the server’s mod folder. These mods are usually located under your server’s ShooterGame/Content/Mods directory.

14. How do I update my dedicated server?

Your dedicated server can be updated using SteamCMD. Simply use the same command you used to install the server (app_update 376030 validate)

15. Can I revert to my single player files after playing on the dedicated server?

Yes, you can by recopying the single player files, overwriting the files on your dedicated server. Just make sure to back up your dedicated server files before overwriting them.

Transferring your single-player world to a dedicated server opens up a world of new possibilities for playing with friends and enjoying the persistent environment. By following these steps and addressing common concerns, you’ll be well on your way to a smooth and successful transition. Happy surviving!

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