Cooperative Ark Server
Running a public ARK: Survival Ascended server with a generous, cooperative spirit is a noble endeavor. You want to build a community where players help each other, trade, and thrive together. But inevitably, someone wanders in "off the street" with a different playstyle. They destroy, loot, steal, and try to get ahead without actually playing the game. This is especially problematic for large overhaul mod authors who run community servers or clusters to showcase their work in the intended light. The Cooperative Ark Server add-on is designed to enforce good behavior on servers and clusters meant to be peaceful, putting a stop to these undesirable behaviors altogether.
What Does the Cooperative Ark Server Mod Do?
This mod is a comprehensive griefing-prevention tool. It operates primarily on the client side, meaning it has a minimal impact on server performance. The only server-side logic is a check to ensure the mod's buff is active on all players. This allows server admins to foster a friendly environment without worrying about the lag often associated with complex server-side plugins.
Here is a breakdown of the core protections the mod provides:
- Prevent Demolishing: Stops players from even seeing the option to demolish enemy structures.
- Prevent Dino Claiming: Disables the ability to claim babies or other dinos away from friendly bases or near enemy bases.
- Prevent Looting: Blocks access to enemy item caches and prevents picking up items, including fertilized eggs, near enemy bases.
- Prevent Stealing Bloodlines: Disables mating when not on friendly ground to protect breeding projects.
- Prevent Building: Stops players from placing structures near enemy bases, with configurable radius settings.
- Territory Buff Icon: Displays a clear indicator showing if you are in Home (green), Allied (blue), Neutral (black), or Enemy (red) territory.
These features work together to create a secure environment where players can focus on collaboration rather than defending against griefers. The mod's design philosophy is to make griefing impossible, not just punish it after the fact.
Key Features and INI Configuration
The Cooperative Ark Server for ARK: Survival Ascended is highly customizable. Server admins can fine-tune every aspect of the protection through a simple INI file, ensuring the mod fits their specific community rules. This flexibility is crucial for balancing strictness with player freedom.
Understanding the Settings
The mod uses an AwarenessRadiusFoundations setting (default 40) to check for enemy structures around the player. It also uses BaseMinimumStructureCount (default 1) to determine what constitutes a "base." This prevents players from circumventing the rules by placing a single foundation to claim an area. The mod also intelligently ignores structures on rafts, platform saddles, and ships to prevent mobile-base griefing.
Other notable settings include NoBuildRadiusMultiplier to expand the building prevention radius, DisableWhipsOnEnemyGround to stop players from using whips to steal eggs, and DisableOviraptorAtEnemyBase to prevent automated egg theft. Each setting is documented with clear explanations to help admins make informed decisions.
For a seamless setup, many players use the foxygame.net launcher, which offers a one-click install for the Cooperative Ark Server add-on, automatically handling version compatibility for ARK: Survival Ascended and ensuring you always have the latest build without manual downloads.
Client-Side Performance
One of the most impressive aspects of this mod is its performance footprint. Because it is almost entirely client-side, the server itself doesn't need to track every action. The client runs a tick rate (ClientPcTicksPerSecond and ClientConsoleTicksPerSecond) to check the awareness radius. This design keeps the server responsive even with dozens of players online, a key advantage for large community clusters.
Admins can also use a script command (CoopToggleHighlightEnemyFoundations) to visually highlight enemy foundations, making cleanup and base clearing much easier. This feature uses a post-processing outline material, which is both efficient and clear.
How to Install the Cooperative Ark Server Mod
Learning how to install the mod is straightforward. Since it works on both client and server, you need to add it to your server's mod list and ensure your players have it installed on their clients. The mod is designed to be as close to "drop-in" as possible.
To get started, you can download Cooperative Ark Server from the Steam Workshop or a trusted mod repository. After downloading, place it in your server's mod folder and add the mod ID to your server configuration. Players joining your server will be prompted to download the mod automatically if they don't have it. For those using the foxygame.net launcher, the add-on catalog within the launcher simplifies the entire process, letting you manage the mod's installation and updates alongside your other ARK: Survival Ascended add-ons.
It's important to verify that the mod version you are using is compatible with the current version of ARK: Survival Ascended. The mod's changelog shows a history of updates to fix crashes and improve compatibility with game patches, such as the fix for the Gen1 release update. Always check for the latest version to ensure stability. The mod is also compatible with most overhaul mods, as it focuses on player behavior rather than altering game content.
Frequently Asked Questions
One common question is whether players can pick up their own dropped items near enemy bases. Unfortunately, the mod cannot allow this without also allowing theft. The game's "pick up all nearby" feature makes it impossible to distinguish between a player's own items and someone else's. The developer provides a detailed explanation of this limitation in the mod's FAQ.
Another common query is about the DisableEnemyDragging setting. Added in Build 48, this setting prevents players from dragging unconscious enemy players, which was a common griefing tactic. It is enabled by default to promote a more respectful PvE experience.
In conclusion, the Cooperative Ark Server mod is an essential tool for any admin looking to run a peaceful, community-focused server in ARK: Survival Ascended. It provides a robust, configurable, and performance-friendly solution to the age-old problem of griefers. By implementing this mod, you can ensure your community remains a friendly and cooperative place where the focus is on building, exploring, and having fun together, rather than constantly defending against bad actors. Its client-side architecture and extensive INI options make it the gold standard for cooperative server management. Whether you are running a small private server or a large public cluster, this mod gives you the peace of mind to let your community flourish.