Acquiring admin commands in ARK: Survival Evolved is the primary method for manipulating the game world, whether you are building a private sanctuary or debugging a corrupted save file. The process requires understanding the difference between single-player and server environments, as the steps to enable and access the console differ significantly depending on your playstyle. This guide details the exact procedures for both scenarios, ensuring you can unlock full creative power or administrative control.
Enabling the Developer Console
The first hurdle in using admin commands is ensuring the game is configured to listen for input. By default, the console is disabled to protect the integrity of public servers. You must actively enable this feature before launching the game, as the setting is not adjustable in the main menu lobby.
For Single-Player and Dedicated Servers
To enable the console on a dedicated server, you must edit the GameUserSettings configuration file. Locate the `GameUserSettings.ini` file within your server directory, typically found in the `ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer` folder. Open the file and locate the line `bAllowThirdPersonPlayer=False`. Below this line, add a new parameter: `ConsoleKey=F9`. Saving this file and launching the server will map the console to the F9 key, making the command line accessible during gameplay.
For Steam Client Players
If you are playing the standard version through Steam, the process is handled entirely through launch options. Right-click ARK in your Steam library, select "Properties," and navigate to the "Launch Options" tab. In the text box, append the following string: `-console`. This flag forces the engine to initialize the console on startup, allowing you to open it in-game by pressing the designated key.
Once the console is enabled, the interface appears as a thin gray bar at the top of the screen. Typing is case-sensitive, and commands must be executed precisely. To verify the console is active, you can type `Stat FPS` to display performance metrics on the screen, confirming that the system is reading your input.
Executing Admin Commands
With the console active, you can now input admin commands to control the game. These commands range from simple teleportation tools to world-altering directives that change the weather or spawn resources. The key distinction to remember is that you must prefix most commands with `admincheat` to bypass the game’s permission restrictions.
Player Management and Cheats
For managing your character and abilities, the `EnableCheats` command is fundamental. Once you execute this command followed by a password (e.g., `EnableCheats Password123`), you can use subsequent commands without the `admincheat` prefix. This is crucial for efficiency, as repeatedly typing `admincheat` slows down the process of testing structures or spawning creatures.
Summoning Creatures: Use the `Summon` command followed by the creature’s class name, such as `Summon Rex_Character_BP_C` to spawn a Tyrannosaurus.
God Mode: Activate invincibility for yourself or your tribe members with the `God` command.
Teleportation: Move instantly to your current line of sight using `TeleForward` or to specific coordinates with `TeleToMe`.
Setting Up a Dedicated Server with Admin Access
Running a dedicated server grants you persistent admin control, but it requires initial configuration through the server files. Unlike client-side commands, server admins must define authorized Steam32 IDs within the server configuration to grant permanent access. This prevents unauthorized users from exploiting your server.
