Understanding ARK: Survival Evolved Save File Formats
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
What Format Are ARK Save Files?
ARK: Survival Evolved utilizes a proprietary binary file format for its save data. These files are not human-readable text documents like a .txt or .csv file; instead, they’re encoded to store the intricate details of the game world efficiently. This includes everything from player and dinosaur locations to world structures, inventory, and server settings. The main save files are usually found in the *.ark format, with backups often created using numerical extensions (e.g., TheIsland.ark, TheIsland_0001.ark, TheIsland_0002.ark). These .ark files are essential for preserving your progress in the game, both on local single-player instances and multiplayer servers. Additional files exist that store information related to player profiles and the game’s configuration.
The complexity of the save file reflects the detailed and dynamic nature of the ARK environment. Understanding how these files function is useful for players who wish to back up their games, transfer saves, or troubleshoot problems. The proprietary nature of the format also means that directly editing these files without specialized tools could result in file corruption or data loss. It’s best to utilize the game’s built-in features and admin commands for saving and managing your progress.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ARK Save Files
Where are ARK Save Files Located?
The location of your ARK save files varies depending on whether you are playing on a local single-player game or on a dedicated server.
-
Single-Player (Windows): By default, on a Windows system, the save files are typically located in:
C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonARKShooterGameSavedSavedArksLocal. Here, you will find folders corresponding to each map you have played (e.g., TheIsland, ScorchedEarth, Aberration). The actual.arkfiles for your worlds are within these folders. -
Dedicated Server: The save files for dedicated servers are generally stored within the server’s files. The path often looks like:
ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/. You can usually access these files via FTP software, like FileZilla, or through a web-based file manager provided by your server host.
How do I Access my ARK Save Files on Steam?
To access your local game saves via Steam:
- Open Steam on your PC.
- Right-click on your ARK installation in your library.
- Select “Properties.”
- Navigate to the “Local Files” tab on the left.
- Click the “Browse…” button.
- This will open the game’s installation directory in Windows File Explorer. From here, you can navigate to the
ShooterGame/SavedandSavedArksLocalfolder for your save files.
How Do I Download a Save File from an ARK Server?
To download a save file from your ARK server, you will generally need to:
- Stop your server through your server hosting provider’s control panel.
- Access your server files using FTP software (like Filezilla).
- Navigate to the
ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/directory within the server’s files. - Select the desired
.arkfiles and drag them to your desktop or another safe location.
What Files Do I Need to Backup?
The primary files you need to back up include:
- The main
.arkfile (e.g.,TheIsland.ark): This is the main game world save file. - Any associated backup files (e.g.,
TheIsland_0001.ark,TheIsland_0002.ark): These are automatically created by the game in case of problems. - The local player profile in
SavedArksLocalfolder.
For a complete backup, you might also want to copy the entire SavedArksLocal or SavedArks directories to preserve everything.
How Large are ARK Save Files?
The size of ARK save files can vary greatly depending on the amount of progress, building, tames, and explorations in a specific world. While older save files might have been around 500MB, current save files can easily reach 1.5GB or more. This large size is due to the detailed nature of the ARK world and the sheer amount of data to track.
How Do I Restore an ARK Save File?
To restore an ARK save file:
- If restoring to the local game: Replace the existing
.arkfile and any relevant backup files in yourSavedArksLocalfolder. - If restoring on a dedicated server: Upload the backed-up
.arkfile and associated backups to theShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/directory on your server, overwriting any existing files.
It’s essential to ensure your server is stopped or the game is not running when you replace these files to prevent data corruption.
Does ARK have Cloud Saves?
ARK: Survival Evolved does not inherently support cloud saves via Steam or other platforms. You need to manually copy the game files to back them up and transfer them to other systems. This is typically accomplished by copying your entire save folder or the specific .ark files.
What is the Admin Command to Save ARK?
As an admin on an ARK server, you can use the command saveworld to force an immediate save of the game world. This command can be used to ensure your server data is saved in the current state, especially after major changes. First, you will need to use enablecheats adminpassword (replace adminpassword with your actual password).
How Do I Manually Save ARK on PC?
To manually save on PC, the quickest way is to open the admin console (press the TAB key), then enter the command admincheat saveworld without quotes, followed by pressing the Enter key. This will trigger a save of the game world. The game also automatically saves at regular intervals.
How do I Reduce the File Size of ARK Saves?
While you can’t drastically shrink the files used by the game itself, one effective method is to compress your save folder into an archive (.zip or .rar) file. These compressed files occupy less space on your system and are still usable when extracted for a restore.
Why is ARK So Big on PC?
The size of ARK: Survival Evolved is considerable (around 250GB or more), due to factors like:
- High-resolution textures and models for the environment, dinosaurs, and structures.
- Many different game maps and associated map files.
- DLC content: Even if you don’t own DLC, their data is often included in the base game files for compatibility.
- Poor optimization: The game is not always optimized for storage space, resulting in bloated files.
Is ARK a CPU or GPU Heavy Game?
ARK: Survival Evolved is a graphically intensive game and tends to be more demanding on the GPU than the CPU. However, it also requires a reasonable CPU for smooth gameplay. Ensure you have a capable video card and CPU to have the best possible experience. Also, it’s worth considering that it’s also a RAM-intensive game.
Does ARK Need a Strong PC?
Yes, ARK: Survival Evolved requires a relatively powerful PC to run smoothly. Minimum specs would include a dedicated GPU like a GeForce GTX 670 or Radeon HD 7870 with 2 GB VRAM, an Intel Core i5-2400 or AMD FX-8320 CPU, and at least 8 GB of RAM. It’s highly recommended to have higher specs for an optimal experience at higher settings.
What are the Minimum System Requirements for ARK?
The official minimum system requirements for ARK: Survival Evolved on PC are:
- OS: Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit versions)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2400 or AMD FX-8320
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 670 2GB or AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB
- DirectX: Version 10
- Storage: 60 GB available space (Note, actual game size can be upwards of 250 GB or more).
Why does ARK take up so much storage?
The large storage requirements stem from many factors including extensive creature files, high-resolution texture data for the different maps and creatures. Even if you don’t own a specific DLC, many assets for those expansions are still installed in the core game files, contributing to overall storage usage.