What Time Does Ark Day Start? A Comprehensive Guide to the ARK Time Cycle
The simple answer to what time does Ark day start is 5:30 AM in-game time. This is the beginning of the daytime period, transitioning from the darker, more dangerous night. However, the ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended time system isn’t just about a fixed clock; it’s about dynamic time cycles that can be adjusted and understanding how it all works is vital for survival. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of the ARK day and night.
Understanding the ARK Time Cycle
The core of the ARK time system revolves around a day that is divided into daytime and nighttime periods. While day always starts at 5:30 AM and night starts at 5:30 PM (17:30) in game time, the real-time duration of these periods can vary significantly, creating the feeling of longer days or nights, or vice-versa.
Default Day and Night Length
By default, an ARK day lasts approximately 40 minutes in real-time, while the following night lasts about 20 minutes in real-time. This default cycle makes the in-game day much shorter than a real-world day. The transition from day to night, and vice-versa, is marked by a distinct musical cue, making it easy to notice when the day-dusk music plays, which indicates the changing of day-night.
ARK Time Compression
One significant aspect of the ARK time cycle is its compression, the main mechanism to control the time. A common setting is that a single minute in Ark equals 2 seconds in the real world. This means that a full 24-hour cycle in the game, which is 48 minutes, passes much quicker than in real life. This compression allows for a more engaging gameplay experience, as players can experience both day and night without lengthy waits.
Variable Day/Night Lengths
The dynamic nature of the ARK time system is further enhanced through custom server settings. Server administrators can adjust the ratio between day and night, for instance, a “10% Day / 90% Night” setting means that the time between 05:30 and 17:30 will pass very quickly, whereas the time between 17:30 and 05:30 will pass very slowly. This offers customization to suit specific playing styles, for instance, to give a more intense and dangerous environment with very long nights, or to have more time to explore and gather with longer days.
How to Tell Time in ARK
Even without an in-game clock (except in mods), you can effectively track time by monitoring the position of the sun and moon. However, the simplest method is listening for the distinct musical cues, as the dawn-dusk music signals the transition between day and night.
Frequently Asked Questions About ARK Day and Night
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the ARK day/night cycle, providing more details and helping you understand the game’s timeline.
1. What is the ARK night time start?
Nighttime in ARK always begins at 17:30 (5:30 PM) in-game time. It is important to be prepared for the change as many hostile creatures become more active at night.
2. How long is one day in ARK (default settings)?
By default, a full day in ARK lasts approximately 40 minutes, while the night cycle is approximately 20 minutes in real-time, making the full day/night cycle a total of 60 minutes.
3. How long is an hour in ARK?
One in-game hour is equal to 30 seconds in real time. So one full day of 24 hours would equal 12 minutes in real time
4. How does the ARK time compression work?
The time compression in ARK means that time passes much faster in the game than in real life. By default, it’s set so that one minute in the game equals 2 seconds of real-time. This speeds up the 24-hour day/night cycle and allows you to cycle between day and night much more quickly.
5. Can the length of day and night be changed?
Yes, server administrators can adjust the length of day and night through server settings. This includes options like increasing or decreasing the ratio of day to night, or the total length of day and night.
6. What is the significance of the day/night transition music?
The distinct music signals the change in day or night, commonly referred to as the dawn-dusk music. It indicates that the day is ending and night is approaching. Players should be aware of this as it also signals increased danger at night.
7. What are some of the dangers of night in ARK?
Nighttime in ARK is dangerous because many hostile creatures become more active, and it is generally darker, making it harder to navigate. Some creatures are even specifically spawned only at night.
8. Is there a way to see the in-game time?
There is no in-game clock within the default game, however, players rely on visual cues such as the movement of the sun and moon and listen for the dawn-dusk music. Additionally, some mods for ARK do add a visual in-game clock.
9. How does the time cycle affect resource gathering?
Daylight makes it easier to gather resources as visibility is better and fewer nocturnal creatures pose a threat. However, resource availability is not usually impacted by day or night cycles.
10. Can I sleep in ARK?
Yes, in single-player mode in ARK: Survival Evolved Mobile you can sleep to regain stamina, but this comes at the cost of food and water. However, it should be noted there is no default single player sleeping mechanic in the standard ARK game
11. What is the bed timer in ARK?
Beds and sleeping bags are reusable and do not get consumed upon use. However, there is a 5-minute cooldown after each use.
12. Does the time of day affect dinosaur spawns?
Yes, some dinosaurs are more common during the night or specific hours. Being aware of these spawn patterns can be essential for survival and resource gathering.
13. Is it possible to force tame a dinosaur in Ark?
Yes, with the admin console command “forcetame” you can force tame a dinosaur. You can also ride it without the need for a saddle.
14. How do I enable cheat commands in ARK?
First open the start menu and then open the command bar. Depending on your platform do the following:
- PC: Press the TAB key.
- Xbox: Press LB + RB + X + Y
- PS4: Press L1 + R1 + Square + Triangle
Enter enablecheats into the command bar. If there is a password on the server, enter enablecheats YourPasswordHere.
15. What are the benefits of higher Fortitude in Ark?
A higher Fortitude provides better resistance to Hypothermia and Hyperthermia, reducing the rate of defecating when near a Tyrannosaurus roar, and helps mitigate the negative effects from both temperature extremes.
Conclusion
The ARK day/night cycle adds a layer of realism and challenge to the game, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and adaptation. Whether you are a new survivor or a seasoned veteran, understanding how the in-game time functions and when Ark day starts at 5:30 AM is crucial to optimizing your gameplay and surviving the dangers of the ARK world. By keeping in mind the real time lengths of the day and night, the use of the dawn-dusk music to mark transitions, and the various customizable settings, you can ensure that your experience is tailored to your liking.