What is the Command for Autosave in Ark?
The most direct answer to what is the command for autosave in Ark is that there isn’t a single command you input to enable automatic saving. Ark: Survival Evolved utilizes a background autosave feature that runs at a set interval. The command admincheat saveworld is used to manually force a save of the game world, and is essential for admin users, but it does not control the automatic saving.
The game’s default autosave setting is set to every 15 minutes. This means that without any intervention, your game progress is automatically saved every 15 minutes. However, if you need to be sure your data is secure, especially before making significant changes or logging off, the admincheat saveworld command is the way to go. This manual save acts as an immediate checkpoint, independent from the scheduled autosaves.
This article will explore how the autosave system works in Ark, and will detail the intricacies of manually saving your world, scheduling auto-saves on servers, and dealing with potential issues that arise with saving game progress.
Understanding Autosave Mechanics
The Default Autosave Interval
As mentioned, the game’s default autosave interval is set to 15 minutes. This means that every quarter of an hour, the game will automatically save the current state of the world. This includes everything from player progress and character data, to the location of structures, creatures, and resources. This automated process runs silently in the background, without interrupting the gameplay significantly. This is critical for preserving your progress against unexpected game crashes or power outages.
Why Manual Saves Are Important
While the autosave is helpful, it’s not foolproof. There may be scenarios where you’ll want more control over when your data is saved. This is where the admincheat saveworld command shines. By using this command, you can:
- Create a checkpoint before making major changes: if you’re about to embark on a risky raid, or are moving your base, you can manually save first to be safe.
- Save before logging off: to ensure your latest progress is saved and prevent any possible loss from the autosave not triggering correctly at the moment you close the game.
- Ensure the integrity of your save: if you suspect a game glitch, you can force a save, which can help isolate the potential issue.
Utilizing the admincheat saveworld Command
To use the admincheat saveworld command, you need to open the admin console. Here’s how you do it on various platforms:
- PC: Press the Tab key.
- Console (Xbox, PlayStation): Open the pause menu and simultaneously press LB + RB + X + Y (or the PlayStation equivalents).
- Mobile: Specific instructions will vary but usually involve a command input area.
Once you have the console open, type in admincheat saveworld and press enter. You’ll see a message confirming that the world is being saved. It is important that you also have the enablecheats command turned on. Input this first into the console with your admin password, should your server have one set.
Scheduled Autosaves on Dedicated Servers
If you’re running a dedicated server, it’s beneficial to create scheduled autosaves for extra security. Here’s how to add a scheduled auto-save:
- Access your game panel: log into your server control panel.
- Stop the server: to make these configuration changes, it’s necessary to stop the server.
- Navigate to scheduled tasks: look for a section related to scheduled tasks.
- Create a new task: select the option to create a new task.
- Set the name: name it something relevant like “Auto-Save”.
- Configure the RCON command: set the task type as an RCON command.
- Set the initial time: specify the first time the task should execute.
- Set the task to repeat: set the task to run daily every 5 to 10 minutes.
- Input command: the command to input is
saveworld. - Save the changes and restart the server.
This will ensure that your server is consistently backing up the game data at regular intervals and helps to safeguard your player’s progress.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Autosaving in Ark
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about autosaving in Ark to give you further insights:
1. How do I force a save in Ark?
Use the admin command admincheat saveworld in the console to force a save.
2. Does Ark autosave on console?
Yes, Ark autosaves on all platforms, including consoles, using the same default 15-minute interval.
3. Can I change the autosave frequency?
Unfortunately, the autosave frequency cannot be altered in the client settings. However, on dedicated servers, you can use a scheduled task with the saveworld command to create more frequent saves.
4. What happens if the server crashes?
If a server crashes, it will revert back to the last save. If the server crashes unexpectedly, it is likely you may lose progress back to the last autosave or manual save you actioned.
5. Where are the save files located?
The save files are found in /ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/. Each save has a world name.
6. How do I backup my Ark save?
You can manually backup your Ark save by navigating to the save location and copying the necessary folders and files.
7. How long does a day last in Ark?
By default, a day lasts around 40 minutes in real-time, and night lasts 20 minutes.
8. Do non-dedicated Ark servers save progress?
Yes, non-dedicated sessions save when the host closes the game.
9. How do I rollback my Ark server world?
To roll back, navigate to the save location within the FTP file access and rename the backup you wish to restore.
10. What do I do if my server gets a timeout error?
Try loading an earlier save state, check your mod folder for conflicts, and ensure the items you have are not causing inventory issues.
11. How can I avoid lag in Ark?
Ensure your computer meets the system requirements, reduce graphic settings, and play on a server closer to your location.
12. Can I transfer my single player save to a server?
Yes, you can move a single player save to a non-dedicated server as they both share the same save data.
13. Why am I getting a timeout error message on my Ark server?
Timeout errors can be caused by outdated mods, server overloads, or issues with the configuration. Be sure to restart the server to see if issues resolve.
14. Can I speed up time in Ark?
You can use cheat commands to speed up time temporarily for a short period to complete any in game tasks, you cannot however permanently alter time.
15. What are the recommended settings to optimize gameplay in Ark?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all setting, but reducing graphic options, optimizing the rendering distance, and adjusting other graphical settings will help to give optimal performance.
Conclusion
While there is not an autosave command, the game’s built-in autosave feature, combined with the manual admincheat saveworld command, ensures that your progress in Ark: Survival Evolved is safe and secure. For dedicated server owners, using scheduled tasks to force a save at set intervals is highly recommended, to ensure server stability and progress for the players. By understanding how these saving mechanics work, you will be able to enjoy the game with fewer interruptions and reduced worries about lost progress, thereby maximizing your survival experience in the wild and dangerous world of Ark.