Ark of Empires
Hello and welcome to a total conversion that redefines the survival sandbox. Ark of Empires is a passion project that takes every core component of ARK: Survival Ascended and remixes it into a civilization-building experience. Inspired by the grand strategy of Age of Empires and the creature evolution of Spore, this mod strips away the traditional engram system and replaces it with a phased progression that will challenge even veteran survivors. If you are tired of memorizing blueprint trees, this mod offers a refreshing, structured path to dominance.
From Primal Tribe to Tek Empire
Your journey begins not with a punch tree, but with a simple decision. You start as a primitive tribe with the ability to craft a few basic tools and, crucially, your first Townhall directly from your inventory. This is the heart of your civilization. Unlike standard ARK, all engrams are deactivated. You cannot learn recipes by leveling up. Instead, every item, from stone axes to advanced Tek armor, must be produced in specialized crafting stations. The core loop is simple: build the Townhall, use it to construct more stations, and eventually unlock the next era's Townhall to progress.
The Six Phases of Civilization
Ark of Empires divides your cultural evolution into six distinct phases, each with its own aesthetic, structures, and technology tier. You will guide your people through:
- Tribal: Stone, thatch, and survival basics.
- Early Medieval: Wooden fortifications and iron tools.
- Late Medieval: Advanced masonry and siege weaponry.
- Industrial: Steel, gunpowder, and manufacturing.
- Modern: Electrical grids and advanced weaponry.
- Tek: Futuristic armor, energy shields, and end-game power.
Each phase is a complete reset of your crafting capabilities, forcing you to adapt and rebuild. This ensures that the early game remains tense even when you are technologically superior. The mod also features a level reset hardcore mode by default, which is designed for balancing. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, you can disable this via the ini setting [ArkOfEmpires] DisableDeathPlayerReset=True.
Mastering the Crafting Stations
Gone are the days of carrying a smithy in your pocket. In Ark of Empires for ARK: Survival Ascended, your base is a living factory. Each station has a specific role, and understanding them is key to progression.
The Townhall: Your Cultural Core
This is the most critical structure in the game. The Townhall is where you build all the crafting stations for your current phase. It is also where you construct the next phase's Townhall. The risk is real: if your Townhall is destroyed, you will lose your current era's progression and must rebuild your culture from scratch. The mod encourages you to leave older Townhalls standing, creating organic, sprawling cities that tell the story of your civilization's rise. This strategic depth is a hallmark of the mod.
Specialized Production Facilities
Beyond the Townhall, you will rely on several key buildings:
- Builder: Creates all structural pieces for the current phase. Crafting does not stack, so a Phase 3 Builder cannot craft Phase 1 walls.
- Saddler: Produces all creature saddles, with the same non-stacking rule applied per phase.
- Lab: Handles all chemicals and consumables. Phases 2 and 3 share a Lab, and crafting here does stack, so you only need the latest version.
- Workshop: Crafts all weapons and tools. Like the Lab, crafting stacks, meaning you only need the most advanced Workshop.
- Special Smithy: Available from Phase 2 onward, each phase has three unique Smithys that craft special, optional items. These are not required for progression but offer powerful bonuses.
Compatibility and Installation
One of the most common questions is how to install this mod. The process is straightforward. You can download Ark of Empires from the Steam Workshop or via the in-game mod browser for ARK: Survival Ascended. Simply subscribe to the mod and ensure it is enabled in your server's mod list. For a seamless experience, consider using the foxygame.net launcher, which offers one-click installation for Ark of Empires and automatically handles version compatibility, ensuring you always run the correct build for your server. The launcher's add-on catalog makes managing your mod list a breeze, and its auto-update feature means you will never miss a patch.
Mod Conflicts and Supported Versions
It is important to note that Ark of Empires is not compatible with mods that add their own items, as those items will not appear in the mod's custom crafting menu. The mod creator is open to adding compatibility on request, so check their Discord for a current list of approved add-ons. The mod is fully compatible with Bobs Tall Tales, provided you own that DLC. The mod is designed for the latest versions of ARK: Survival Ascended, and the foxygame.net launcher will always flag if your game version is out of sync with the mod's requirements.
Final Thoughts on a Grand Vision
Ark of Empires is an ambitious first mod that delivers a completely fresh way to play ARK: Survival Ascended. It replaces the chaotic freedom of the base game with a structured, rewarding progression system that feels like a strategy game wrapped in a survival sim. The risk of losing your Townhall adds a layer of tension that is rarely felt in other mods, and the visual evolution of your base from thatch huts to gleaming Tek spires is deeply satisfying. While the mod is a large project and may have minor bugs, the core concept is brilliant and executed with clear passion. For players seeking a new challenge that emphasizes planning and long-term goals, this is an essential download. Whether you are a solo survivor or running a large tribe, the journey from primal to Tek has never been this engaging.