Deimos Cosmetics: Alien Drone
Survival games thrive on personalization, and Deimos Cosmetics: Alien Drone delivers exactly that with a sleek, otherworldly companion for your survivor. This add-on introduces a fully animated alien drone that hovers by your side, complete with six distinct color variations to match your base, tribe, or mood. Whether you are a solo player or running a massive server, this cosmetic breathes new life into your ARK experience without altering gameplay balance.
What Is the Alien Drone?
This isn't just a static trophy. The Deimos Alien Drone (designation D43) is a floating robotic companion that follows you around the map. Its favorite dino is the Kairuku, which adds a fun lore touch for those who enjoy backstory. The drone is purely cosmetic, meaning it won't help you gather resources or fight off raptors, but it will make you the most stylish survivor on the island.
Six Unique Color Variations
The add-on includes six pre-configured color schemes. You can cycle through them to find the perfect look:
- Classic metallic silver with glowing cyan accents
- Obsidian black with crimson highlights
- Desert tan with orange trim
- Arctic white with ice-blue lights
- Forest green with yellow warning stripes
- Magenta and purple for a bold, alien vibe
Each variant uses the same high-quality 3D model, so you never have to worry about clipping or animation glitches between colors.
Open Source and Community Friendly
One of the standout features of Deimos Cosmetics: Alien Drone for ARK: Survival Ascended is its open-source nature. The project is released as Public Domain, with source code available on GitHub. This makes it an excellent learning resource for aspiring modders. The creator openly admits they are not a professional modder or rigger, so the files serve as a basic template for character cosmetics. You can study how the drone was built, how the animations are rigged, and how the color variations are applied.
However, there is a request: do not copy and paste the same 3D model with just a different color into your own mod. Overhauls and community mods that significantly transform the asset are welcome, but lazy re-skins are discouraged. The original 3D model was created by NatalieDesign under Creative Commons Attribution, so if you reuse it, proper credit is mandatory.
Compatibility with ARK: Survival Ascended Versions
This cosmetic is designed for the current generation of ARK: Survival Ascended, specifically the official and most common client versions. It works seamlessly with the game's cosmetic system, which was introduced to allow cross-platform character customization. Since it is a lightweight mod, it does not conflict with most other popular add-ons, including QoL mods, building mods, or dino reskins. Always check that your game client is updated to the latest patch to ensure the cosmetic whitelist functions correctly.
Mod Compatibility and Server Setup
If you are running an unofficial server, you will need to add the cosmetic to your whitelist. The process is straightforward and only requires a single line in your configuration file. This method works across all supported ARK: Survival Ascended versions, from Steam to Xbox and PlayStation via crossplay servers.
For players who prefer a hassle-free experience, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for Deimos Cosmetics: Alien Drone. The launcher automatically detects your game version and places the files in the correct directory, eliminating manual folder navigation. It also keeps the add-on updated, so you never miss a color fix or animation tweak.
How to Install on Your Server
Getting the drone on your unofficial server takes less than two minutes. Follow these steps:
- Locate your
GameUserSettings.inifile in the ARK: Survival Ascended save folder. - Open it with any text editor.
- Add the following line under the
[ServerSettings]section:CosmeticWhitelistOverride="https://survivedeimos.com/tools/cosmeticswhitelist/whitelist.php?extracosmetics=985934,977906" - Save the file and restart your server.
This line includes the official default cosmetic list plus the Alien Drone (ID 985934) and the Robot (ID 977906). You can add more unofficial cosmetics by appending their Project IDs, separated by commas. Project IDs are found on the CurseForge mod page on the right-hand side.
If you are using the foxygame.net launcher, the add-on catalog within the launcher lets you browse and install Deimos Cosmetics: Alien Drone directly. The launcher handles the whitelist modification for you, and it verifies version compatibility before installation, preventing common errors like missing IDs or outdated file paths.
Why Whitelist Matters
ARK: Survival Ascended uses a whitelist system to prevent malicious or broken cosmetics from crashing clients. By adding the drone to your whitelist, you ensure that every player on your server can see the drone without issues. Players on official servers do not need to do anything, as the cosmetic is already included in the default list.
Upcoming Content and Community
The developer has hinted that this might be the last character model for a while, but there is an eastern bunny cosmetic coming next week. Additionally, the dino cartoon cosmetic package is still in progress. If you want to stay updated, join the official Discord server or the Modding Ascended Discord for technical questions. The community is active and helpful, especially for those new to cosmetic modding.
In conclusion, Deimos Cosmetics: Alien Drone is a polished, fun, and generous addition to ARK: Survival Ascended. It offers visual flair, serves as an educational modding resource, and respects the creative commons license of its base model. Whether you want to download Deimos Cosmetics: Alien Drone for your single-player world or deploy it across your tribe's server, the process is simple and well-documented. The open-source nature ensures it will remain a staple in the community for years to come, and the six color options guarantee you will never blend in with the crowd again.