Automated Ark
If you have spent countless hours in ARK: Survival Ascended manually moving resources, sorting storage boxes, or collecting eggs from your tames, you know the pain. The quality-of-life gap between the original ARK: Survival Evolved and its remake was noticeable, especially for players who relied on automation mods. Automated Ark bridges that gap with a lightweight, vanilla-themed mod that prioritizes function over form. It brings back the beloved systems from the original game—Auto Pulling, OCD Storage, Egg Management, and more—now fully optimized for the Unreal Engine 5 remake.
This mod is designed for players who want efficiency without the visual clutter of custom models or textures. It is almost entirely code-based, meaning it runs smoothly even on large servers. Whether you are a solo survivor or managing a massive tribe, Automated Ark for ARK: Survival Ascended is the toolset you need to reclaim your playtime.
Core Components: The Heart of Automation
The foundation of the mod is the AA Control Console. This central structure powers the Smart Pulling system and is required for most pulling functions. It allows you to disable dino head movements in range, which is a godsend for base building. You can also use specific name tags like *, ~, or AAxP to block certain items from being pulled, giving you granular control over your inventory flow.
Without this console, you are missing out on the mod's core functionality. It acts as the brain for your entire automated base, coordinating everything from resource gathering to item sorting.
Crafting Stations: Speed and Efficiency
Upgrading your crafting game is a breeze with the new stations introduced by the mod. The AA Chem Bench is a refrigerated version of the vanilla bench, offering faster crafting speeds and Auto Pulling. For early game, the AA Mortar and Pestle provides a slower but similar alternative with fewer recipes.
For metal processing, the AA Industrial Forge is a powerhouse. It features INI-configurable speed, auto-collects metal from dinos, balances resources across multiple forges, and even distributes gasoline to nearby generators. If you need charcoal, the AA Industrial Mini Forge is optimized for that specific task, using Sparkpowder as a recommended fuel source.
Other notable stations include the AA Fabricator, which crafts all non-specialized engrams with Auto Pulling, and the AA Smithy, which handles vanilla Fabricator and Tek items. The AA Workbench is your go-to for crafting most AA structures, also featuring Auto Pulling.
Storage Solutions: OCD Sorting at Its Finest
Storage management is where Automated Ark truly shines. The OCD Vaults are customizable containers for any item type. They sort automatically via the AA Control Console or manually with the AA Helper Remote (press N). You can choose from Thatch, Marble, or Metal variants to match your base aesthetic.
The AA Refrigerator is a ground-placed unit that reduces spoil timers and includes full OCD Sorting. For your crops, the AA Veggie Crate is a compact, decorative fridge for veggies and berries. The AA Egg Crate is a unique addition that collects tribe-dropped eggs (not wild ones), with toggles for fertilized and unfertilized pickup. Note that eggs do not sort via Auto Pulling or OCD, so this crate is essential for egg farmers.
Utility Structures: Simplify Your Gameplay
The mod adds a suite of utility structures that remove tedious tasks. The AA Vacuum picks up floor items and pairs perfectly with the Control Console for easy sorting. The AA Polymer Transmuter converts polymer between all three forms, saving you from crafting trips. The AA Feeding Trough is refrigerated and powered, and you can chain multiple troughs to balance food distribution (except Sweet Veggie Cakes).
For base defense, the AA Turret Genie fills and adjusts turrets, including modded ones, with INI-configurable raiding cooldowns. The AA Plant Commander configures all Plant Species X in range, ensuring your base is always defended. The AA Wireless Generator powers everything wirelessly with a steady gasoline consumption rate, eliminating the need for complex cable networks.
Other handy tools include the AA Medical Station for healing dinos and players, the AA Repair Station for gear and base repairs, and the AA Dehydrator which is faster than vanilla and requires no oil or sparkpowder. The AA Spoiling Barrel quickly spoils meat while preserving split stacks, and the AA Ice Block serves as an early-game fridge without pulling or sorting functions.
Automation Tools: Master Your Base
Advanced players will appreciate the AA Building Helper, which lets you pick up pieces remotely (Right Click), sort manually (N), grab area items (P), delete satchels, and rename structures. The AA Engram Pod saves engrams or unlocks all with an INI option, featuring an adjustable delay to prevent server lag.
For farming, the AA Auto Compost Bin collects poop, sends fertilizer to silos, and feeds dung beetles. The AA Fertilizer Manager distributes fertilizer to crop plots hourly after a manual setup. The AA Ant Hill spawns ants with bug repellent, which you can pair with frogs for auto-harvesting. The AA Grill is a refrigerated cooking station with OCD Sorting and adjustable speed.
When you are ready to get started, you can download Automated Ark from the Steam Workshop. The installation process is straightforward, and there are plenty of guides available. For those using the foxygame.net launcher, the process is even simpler: the launcher's add-on catalog features Automated Ark with one-click install and automatic updates, ensuring you always have the latest version compatible with your game build. This is particularly useful for players who want to avoid manual mod management.
Compatibility and Installation
Automated Ark for ARK: Survival Ascended is designed to work with the current official versions of the game. The mod is lightweight and does not rely on custom assets, which minimizes conflicts with other mods. However, it is always recommended to check the mod's wiki for the latest compatibility notes. To how to install the mod, simply subscribe to it on the Steam Workshop and ensure it is enabled in your server's mod list. For single-player, it will load automatically.
The mod is free and should not be sold on any servers. If you spot servers profiting from this mod, report it on the official Discord. Violators will face mod disabling and legal action. The community is active, and the developers are responsive to bug reports and feature requests.
Conclusion
Automated Ark is an essential mod for any serious ARK: Survival Ascended player. It removes the grind from resource management, allowing you to focus on exploration, building, and combat. With its vanilla-friendly design and robust feature set, it is a must-have addition to your mod list. Download it today and experience the difference automation makes.