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Why Are ARK Servers So Laggy? A Deep Dive into ARK: Survival Evolved Performance Issues

ARK: Survival Evolved, with its expansive worlds, diverse dinosaurs, and intricate crafting system, offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience. However, it’s also notorious for its lag spikes and overall performance issues, particularly on servers. The core reason ARK servers are frequently laggy is a combination of factors, rather than a single culprit. These factors range from network limitations and server hardware constraints to the game’s complex mechanics and unoptimized code. Understanding these intertwined issues is key to grasping why players often struggle with lag in ARK.

The game’s reliance on real-time calculations for every entity in the world, from dinosaurs and structures to player interactions and projectiles, creates a significant load on the server. This is compounded by the fact that ARK was built with a high level of flexibility in mind, meaning that many of its systems are not as efficient as they could be. When many players are present, engaging in numerous simultaneous activities, the server struggles to keep up, leading to noticeable lag. In addition, the game’s lack of robust optimization, means that even powerful server hardware can struggle, especially when mods are introduced. Finally, network instability, often beyond the server operator’s control, can exacerbate lag issues, turning an otherwise smooth experience into a frustrating ordeal.

Understanding the Roots of ARK Lag

Network Issues: The Foundation of the Problem

Network connectivity plays a crucial role in online gaming. Bad routing, where data packets take inefficient paths between you and the server, and general instability in your or the server’s connection will cause noticeable lag. Even with a high-speed internet plan, fluctuations in network performance can disrupt the smooth flow of data. This results in delays, causing your actions in the game to occur noticeably later than they should. Similarly, when a server is dealing with multiple unstable connections, this further adds to the burden, leading to a domino effect where everyone is experiencing lag.

Server Hardware: The Engine Under Strain

The server hardware is the literal engine that drives the ARK world. Inadequate RAM, slow storage (particularly traditional HDDs vs. SSDs), and outdated processors can severely hamper server performance. ARK’s persistent world and complex mechanics demand significant resources. For the server to maintain a smooth gaming experience for multiple players, especially on a map with a lot of bases and tamed dinosaurs, it needs to be capable of handling the heavy computational load. Insufficient RAM leads to increased disk swapping, which slows the game down. Opting for DDR4 RAM with high MHz ratings is recommended, as it increases the speed of data access. Moreover, NVMe SSDs drastically outperform traditional HDDs and even standard SSDs, further enhancing the server’s ability to keep up.

Game Engine and Code Optimization: The Underlying Challenge

ARK’s underlying code and game engine are often cited as a significant contributor to lag. The game’s system, while offering tremendous flexibility and complexity, is not as optimized as it could be. This lack of optimization can lead to excessive resource consumption, meaning that the game requires more hardware power to perform the same functions as a better optimized title. As such, both client-side and server-side, the game struggles with performance even with high-end hardware. The absence of proper vsync, for example, can cause frame rate drops, even on single-player experiences and can negatively impact the perceived smoothness of the game on a server.

Game Mechanics: The Load on the System

ARK’s sheer volume of calculations, from dinosaur AI and player actions to structure decay and projectile physics, places a heavy demand on the server. The game is not just a static world; everything within it is constantly being calculated and updated. This means that the more players, dinosaurs, and structures present, the greater the strain on the server. Large bases, with complex designs and numerous automated systems, are notorious for causing local lag for the players involved but can also cause global lag for everyone else on the server.

Mod Conflicts and Overhaul Mods: The Added Strain

Mods can enhance the game, but they can also cause significant lag if not properly managed. Overhaul mods that drastically change dinos, spawn rates, stats, and add new items introduce significant overhead. This increased data load can exacerbate existing lag issues. Mod conflicts, where multiple mods clash with each other, can also lead to lag and instability. While mods can be a lot of fun, they can also be very problematic if not used in moderation or carefully. It is vital to ensure all mods are compatible, and any that are no longer used should be removed to increase performance.

Addressing the Lag: What Can Be Done?

While there is no single magic fix for lag, addressing several of the aforementioned factors can help to improve your ARK experience. Players can:

Optimize in-game settings: Adjusting graphical settings, lowering resolution to 1080p or 720p on older hardware, and experimenting with other graphical settings.
Minimize base complexity: Avoid overly large or complex bases and excessive automated systems.
Avoid unnecessary mods: Remove redundant or conflicting mods, and use mods in moderation.
Close unnecessary programs: Shut down background programs, including other games or browser tabs, while playing ARK.
Use an ethernet connection: Wired connections typically offer more stable and faster connections than Wi-Fi.
Check server ping: Choose a server with a low ping to minimize network latency.
Update network equipment: Upgrading your router may improve network stability.

Server owners can focus on:

Selecting high-performance server hardware: Opting for sufficient DDR4 RAM, NVMe SSDs, and powerful processors.
Regular server maintenance: Reboots can sometimes help to clear out any memory leaks or stuck processes that may accumulate.
Careful mod selection and management: Making sure all mods are up to date, compatible with one another, and within the memory limits of the server hardware.
Monitoring player activity: Identifying areas where lag is particularly bad, or where one base may be causing issues to the rest of the server.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further help you understand and resolve ARK lag issues:

1. Can my internet connection cause ARK lag?

Yes, definitely. A slow or unstable internet connection is a primary cause of lag. Check your network’s ping and stability using tools like SPEEDTEST and make sure your network isn’t overloaded.

2. Does having too many mods cause lag?

Absolutely. Too many mods or conflicting mods can significantly increase server load and cause lag. Overhaul mods and those that significantly alter the game can have the biggest impact.

3. How much RAM do I need for an ARK server with mods?

For a modded ARK server, you should aim for at least 8 GB of RAM, though 16GB or more is highly recommended if you have many mods and a high player count.

4. Will lowering my graphics settings reduce lag on an ARK server?

Yes, but only on your own client side. Lowering graphics settings like resolution (from 1080p to 720p if necessary) will reduce your local FPS lag (also known as graphics lag), but will not reduce lag from the server. The server lag is mostly based on the server itself, and its hardware specifications.

5. Why is my ARK single-player laggy even on a powerful PC?

While a powerful PC is important, it does not mean your system is immune. Poorly optimized game code combined with the constant calculations the game performs for every entity can still lead to FPS drops. In addition, a lack of Vsync can sometimes cause frame drops or tearing, depending on your system.

6. How can I improve my ARK server performance?

Choose powerful server hardware (especially SSDs and fast RAM), minimize mods, perform regular maintenance, and monitor server resources to help ensure stability and performance.

7. Are there specific server settings that can improve performance?

Settings like lower dino spawn rates or adjusting resource gathering speeds to be lower than default can help ease the burden on the server. Balancing these settings will take some fine tuning.

8. What is latency lag vs. FPS lag?

Latency lag, or network lag, is caused by delays in data transfer between your computer and the server. FPS lag, or graphics lag, is caused by a lack of processing power on the client’s computer.

9. Does the number of players on a server impact lag?

Yes, definitely. The more players, the more calculations the server has to make, increasing the likelihood of lag.

10. Why does Lost Ark load so slowly?

Lost Ark’s slow loading time is often speculated to be due to the anti-cheat system scanning a player’s system upon launching the game. This process takes time and resources.

11. How do I make ARK harder?

You can increase the game’s difficulty by adjusting the DifficultyOffset variable in your server’s configuration file.

12. What are the best tames for combat in Ark?

The Rex and Giganotosaurus are some of the strongest combat tames, but Argentavis and Snow Owls are also vital for transportation and utility.

13. What is the strongest weapon in ARK?

The longneck rifle is widely considered to be one of the best and strongest weapons in the game, due to its long range and high damage.

14. Why is ARK: Survival Evolved considered poorly optimized?

The game was not optimized very well. Amateur code which is not as efficient as it could be, uses more resources than necessary and requires higher-end hardware to achieve a smoother experience.

15. Can Wi-Fi be the reason for game lag?

Yes, often. Wi-Fi connections are often less stable and slower than wired Ethernet connections, leading to increased latency and packet loss. Using a wired connection is recommended for a more stable experience.

Understanding the reasons behind ARK’s infamous lag is the first step in mitigating the issue. By addressing the network, hardware, and software issues, both players and server operators can contribute to a smoother and more enjoyable ARK: Survival Evolved experience.

Why are ARK servers so laggy?