Back To Old School Ark (BTOS)
If you have been playing ARK for years, you know the game has changed a lot. New mechanics, rebalanced creatures, and quality-of-life updates have shifted the experience far from its roots. For veterans who miss the grind, the challenge, and the specific quirks of the original game, there is a mod that feels like a time machine. Back To Old School Ark (BTOS) is a total conversion mod for ARK: Survival Ascended that aims to strip away modern conveniences and restore the classic survival experience.
This mod is not a simple texture pack or a minor tweak. It is a comprehensive overhaul that touches taming, creature stats, crafting, and even the physical size of the dinosaurs themselves. The goal is simple: bring back the "good old time" of ARK before the major changes of the last few years.
Restoring the Classic Kibble Taming System
One of the most significant changes in modern ARK was the simplification of the kibble system. Back To Old School Ark (BTOS) reverses this completely. The mod restores the old, complex kibble recipes that required specific eggs from specific creatures. This means you will need to plan your tames carefully, as each creature now has a unique food preference.
The mod has remapped around 160 creatures to reflect these changed food preferences. This includes main creatures, Aberrant versions, and even Bone and Alpha variants. You will no longer be able to just toss any kibble at a creature and expect it to work. You need the right kibble for the right dino, just like in the old days.
Custom Kibbles and Workbenches
To support this system, the mod adds two new workbenches: the Industrial Cooker and the BTOS Workbench. The Industrial Cooker allows you to craft the restored original kibble recipes. The BTOS Workbench functions like a Smithy and is where you will learn and craft custom saddles and specialized kibbles.
There is also a custom kibble type that can be crafted with any type of egg. This is a lifesaver if you cannot find the specific egg required for an original kibble. However, be aware that creatures will require different amounts of these customized kibbles compared to the original ones. The mod description warns that all kibble recipes are restored, so be prepared for a more demanding taming process.
Realistic Creature Sizes and Stats
The mod author believes that almost every creature in ARK is incorrectly sized. Back To Old School Ark (BTOS) attempts to correct this by resizing many creatures to be more realistic based on game structures and real-world information. The goal is to see how these creatures would actually look if they existed. Some of the more "fantastic" and unreal creatures in ARK will remain the same size, but the core dinosaurs get a visual and physical overhaul.
Creature stats are also being reworked. Most creatures will have their original characteristics, but there are a few notable exceptions designed to make the game more interesting. The "Big 3" – Spino, Giga, and T-Rex – are now KO tameable but will only accept specific kibbles. They use the original Giganotosaurus spec file, with the main difference being their health and damage values. This makes them incredibly powerful in the wild but they will lose those boosted specs after taming.
New and Custom Creatures
The mod is not just about rebalancing existing creatures. It also adds several new ones to the world. Some are based on old models, while others are entirely new additions. Here is a list of some of the custom creatures you can find:
- Crichtonsaurus – An Ankylo-based creature, smaller than the original.
- Tarbosaurus Bataar – An older, slightly smaller version of the T-Rex.
- Velociraptor – The classic raptor, but half-sized.
- Deinonychus – Added to all maps, complete with nests.
- Mega Boa – A huge, non-tameable variant of the Titanoboa.
- Brachiosaurus – A top-tier herbivore with stats similar to the Giga.
- Stygimoloch – Rideable without a saddle.
- Styracosaurus – Comes with a new saddle.
- Suchomimus – 70% bigger than the Baryonyx, with its own saddle.
- Brontosaurus – A smaller variant that uses Giga specs.
- Griffin – Added to all maps, not just Ragnarok.
- Tabrosaurus Bataar – A creature created from an old T-Rex model, spawning in mountains.
These additions provide a fresh layer of exploration and taming opportunities, even for players who know the original maps inside and out.
Version Support and Compatibility
As a mod for ARK: Survival Ascended, Back To Old School Ark (BTOS) is designed to work with the latest versions of the game. The mod is currently in BETA, as the DLC creatures are not yet fully integrated. The mod author notes that DLC creatures are broken in the source files from ARK Survival Evolved, so they are not included in the spawners. Only unofficial map creatures are added to spawns, as they are considered the main creatures for this mod.
It is always recommended to check the mod page for the most up-to-date compatibility information before you download Back To Old School Ark (BTOS).
How to Install Back To Old School Ark (BTOS)
Installing the mod is straightforward. The process is the same as for any other mod on the Steam Workshop. To get started, you need to subscribe to the mod on the Steam Workshop page for ARK: Survival Ascended. Once subscribed, the mod will automatically download to your client. You can then activate it in the mod settings when you launch the game or set up a dedicated server.
For those looking for a more streamlined experience, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install feature for Back To Old School Ark (BTOS). This launcher simplifies the process by managing the mod files for you, ensuring you always have the correct version installed and reducing the risk of conflicts with other mods.
If you are hosting a server, you will need to add the mod ID to your server's mod list. After that, players who join will need to have the mod installed on their client as well. The process for how to install is generally the same whether you are playing single-player or on a server.
The BTOS Workbench and Engrams
One of the key quality-of-life changes in this mod is how engrams are handled. Most of the new engrams for the Industrial Cooker are visible without learning them. However, the saddles and customized kibbles must be learned and are only craftable at the BTOS Workbench. This forces players to invest points into specific engrams to unlock the full potential of the mod, adding another layer of strategy to character progression.
The foxygame.net launcher also maintains a catalog of add-ons that includes Back To Old School Ark (BTOS), making it easy to keep the mod updated with auto-updates. This is a great option for players who want to ensure they are always playing the latest version without having to manually check for patches.
Final Thoughts
Back To Old School Ark (BTOS) for ARK: Survival Ascended is a labor of love for players who feel the game has lost its way. It is a challenging, comprehensive overhaul that rewards patience and planning. The restored kibble system, the realistic creature sizes, and the new custom dinos all work together to create an experience that feels both familiar and fresh. While it is still in beta and missing some DLC creatures, the current build offers hundreds of hours of classic ARK gameplay. If you are tired of the modern, streamlined ARK, this mod is definitely worth your time.