How Much Space Does ARK: Survival Evolved Take Up on a Laptop?
The short answer is: it depends, but you should expect ARK: Survival Evolved to take up a significant chunk of storage space on your laptop, potentially ranging anywhere from 130 GB to over 400 GB. The base game itself is smaller but expands drastically when you factor in all the DLC, updates, and residual files. While the Steam store might initially show a lower number, the real-world install size can balloon quickly, making careful storage management essential. Understanding the factors that contribute to this large footprint is crucial for any aspiring ARK survivor using a laptop.
Understanding the Base Game and DLC
At its core, ARK: Survival Evolved requires a substantial amount of space, with some sources indicating a minimum of 60 GB for the base game on initial install. However, this is far from the final size you’ll experience. The game is constantly updated, adding new features, bug fixes, and content, which increases the installation size. Furthermore, a significant reason for the large size is the plethora of available downloadable content (DLC) which introduces new maps, creatures, and gameplay experiences.
Each DLC map adds a considerable amount of data. Some reports state that each DLC map adds around 20-30 GB to the game’s total size. Therefore, having multiple DLCs can easily push the game’s total size past 250GB, and even towards 400 GB or more. This explains why gamers have reported such massive install sizes. Thankfully, players have the option to install only the DLC they plan on playing, which is key to managing the game’s space consumption.
Managing DLC Installation
A great feature that allows you to limit ARK’s size is the ability to choose which DLCs to install. You can do this through your Steam library:
- Right-click on ARK: Survival Evolved in your Steam Library.
- Select “Properties.”
- Navigate to the “DLC” tab.
- Here, you can check or uncheck boxes to select which DLC you want installed.
By only selecting the DLC maps you intend to play, you can significantly reduce the amount of storage ARK occupies on your laptop. This is crucial for those with limited storage or SSD drives.
Why Does ARK Get So Large?
The large size of ARK isn’t just due to the maps and content. There are other factors at play:
Past Version Files
One of the often-cited reasons for ARK’s large file size is the game’s habit of keeping past version files. As the game receives regular updates, it seems that some of the older files are not completely removed, resulting in a build-up of unnecessary data over time. This is somewhat similar to how repeated repair jobs on a wall may leave behind layers of “old” work which adds to the build-up of materials. This isn’t officially confirmed by the developers, but there’s considerable evidence to suggest this behavior affects the game’s size.
High-Resolution Assets
ARK boasts a vast open world with detailed environments, complex creatures, and high-resolution textures. These elements contribute to the visual appeal of the game, but also heavily increase the file size. The intricate details of each map, creature, and item require a large amount of storage to maintain.
Optimization Techniques
Fortunately, there are ways to manage the disk space consumed by ARK:
DLC Management
As mentioned previously, meticulously managing your DLCs is one of the best ways to control the game’s size. If you know you’re not going to play a particular map, don’t install it!
File Compression
You can compress the game files using the Windows file system. Here’s how:
- Right-click the ARK folder.
- Select “Properties.”
- Click “Advanced” under the “General” tab.
- Tick “Compress contents to save disk space.”
- Click “Apply” and choose to apply the changes to all subfolders and files.
This method can save a significant amount of space, as much as 66 GB, according to some users. Be aware that this can sometimes impact performance slightly, but it is often a worthwhile trade-off for those trying to save storage.
Regular Cleaning
It’s advisable to regularly check and remove any unnecessary files associated with ARK. While there isn’t an official “cleaner” tool, a manual check of the game folder or verifying game file integrity through Steam could help remove leftover files.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you better understand the storage needs of ARK: Survival Evolved:
1. What are the minimum storage requirements for ARK on PC?
The minimum storage requirement for the base game is often listed as 60 GB. However, this does not include DLCs or updates, which can increase the size significantly.
2. Why is my ARK install size larger than what Steam shows?
Steam’s initial download size for the base game is often smaller, but it does not account for the regular updates and optional DLCs. These additions are downloaded after the initial install, inflating the total size.
3. How much space does each ARK DLC map take?
Each DLC map can add between 20 GB and 30 GB to your game’s total size, with some exceptions that may be smaller or larger.
4. Can I play ARK without installing all DLCs?
Yes, you can choose which DLCs to install using the “DLC” tab in the game’s properties on Steam. This will significantly reduce the total size if you do not wish to play all maps.
5. Is ARK the largest game in terms of storage size?
ARK is one of the largest games in terms of storage space, often cited in the top ranks, with reported sizes ranging from 250GB to 400GB+. The exact size varies based on how many DLCs and updates are installed.
6. Why does ARK seem to grow in size after updates?
The game’s tendency to retain old files combined with the addition of new content through updates can increase the game’s overall size after each patch.
7. Does compressing the game files affect performance?
Compressing game files can sometimes slightly reduce performance but often it’s an acceptable trade-off to reduce the large disk space requirements.
8. Can a 500 GB SSD handle ARK and other games?
A 500GB SSD can hold ARK with some DLCs installed but may fill quickly if you have many other games, hence careful management of your installation is crucial.
9. Is ARK free-to-play on PC?
ARK has been given away for free on the Epic Games Store before and sometimes has free to play weekends on Steam, but it is not a free-to-play game generally, you have to pay for the game to own and play it.
10. What other games have a large storage footprint like ARK?
Games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Final Fantasy XV are all known for their very large installation sizes that can rival ARK’s size.
11. How can I free up space for ARK on my laptop?
You can delete unnecessary files, uninstall unused programs, compress files, and if necessary invest in an external hard drive or upgrade your internal storage.
12. Is 16 GB of RAM enough for ARK?
Yes, 16 GB of RAM is generally considered good for running ARK. While 8 GB is the minimum, 16 GB provides a smoother gaming experience, especially on higher graphical settings.
13. Why does ARK lag on my laptop?
Lag spikes can be due to network issues, outdated drivers, or an insufficiently powerful system, most especially an under-powered graphics card and CPU.
14. Can I move ARK to an external hard drive to save space on my laptop?
Yes, you can move your ARK installation to an external hard drive, but ensure it’s a fast USB 3.0 or 3.1 drive to ensure faster loading times.
15. What are the best performance settings in ARK to improve frame rates?
In-game settings should generally be set to EPIC view distance, with all ADVANCED graphics settings turned off. Additionally, keeping up to date graphics card drivers, and closing unnecessary programs will also improve performance.
By considering these factors and employing the suggested optimization techniques, you can effectively manage the storage requirements of ARK: Survival Evolved on your laptop and continue enjoying this popular game.