Double Sidded Skins
Building in ARK: Survival Ascended has always been about more than just defense. It is about expression, about crafting a base that feels like home in a world that wants to tear it down. But for the most dedicated architects, the vanilla snap points and single-texture walls often feel limiting. You have to choose between the look of the inside and the look of the outside. What if you didn't have to? That is the core promise of the Double Sidded Skins add-on, a clever mod that is currently in its early testing phase but already shows immense potential for players who crave a new level of visual depth.
What Exactly Does Double Sidded Skins Do?
At its heart, this mod is a structural experiment. The developer's initial release focuses on a simple, yet brilliant, concept: adding a new set of wall pieces that snap directly to the interior face of existing, similar structures. This creates a "double-sided" effect, allowing you to apply two completely different skins or textures to a single wall segment. Imagine a sleek, futuristic metal exterior giving way to a warm, rustic wooden interior, all without needing to use two separate wall layers that fight for space and snap points.
Currently, the mod is explicitly a test build. The creator has stated that this version "currently only adds walls for testing." This means you should not expect a full suite of ceilings, foundations, or gates just yet. However, the foundation is there. The mod is made to introduce a new set of structures that snap directly to the inside of similar structures, ensuring a seamless fit that vanilla pieces cannot offer. This allows builders to mix and match aesthetics without compromising structural integrity or using complex, lag-inducing clipping tricks.
Why Use a Double-Sided Building Mod?
The benefits of this approach are immediately apparent to anyone who has spent hours perfecting a base layout. It solves a fundamental problem: the "ugly side" of a wall. In standard ARK, the interior of your outer walls is often the same texture as the exterior, or you have to build an entire second wall layer, which wastes resources and can cause rendering issues.
- Seamless Interior Design: Create a clean, finished look on the inside of your base without sacrificing the rugged exterior defense.
- Resource Efficiency: Potentially save on materials by avoiding the need for a full second wall layer to hide the backside of your primary walls.
- Creative Freedom: Mix and match skins that were previously incompatible. Combine stone exteriors with thatch or wood interiors for a unique aesthetic.
- Snap Precision: The mod is designed specifically to snap "directly to the inside of similar structures," meaning you won't have to fight with finicky placement or gap-filling.
Compatibility and Current Status
As this is a testing mod, it is essential to manage expectations. The mod is built for the current version of ARK: Survival Ascended and should be compatible with the latest stable release of the game. However, given its "test" status, you may encounter bugs or missing features. It is always a good idea to check the mod's Discord server for updates and feedback from the developer.
When you download Double Sidded Skins, you are essentially joining a public beta test. The mod's compatibility with other building mods is currently unverified. If you run a heavily modded server, you may need to experiment with load order to ensure it works correctly with other structure mods. The core functionality relies on adding new snap points to vanilla structures, which is generally stable but can conflict with mods that overhaul the building system entirely.
How to Install and Get Started
Learning how to install this mod is straightforward, just like any other add-on for ARK: Survival Ascended. You can find it on the CurseForge or mod.io integration within the game's main menu. Simply subscribe to the mod, and it will download automatically. Once it is active in your mod list, you can load into your single-player world or server.
For those who prefer a more streamlined approach to managing their mod collection, using a dedicated launcher can simplify the process significantly. The foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install feature that automatically handles the setup for Double Sidded Skins, ensuring you are always running the correct version without manually digging through folders. Its add-on catalog makes it easy to find and deploy the mod, and the launcher's auto-update functionality means you won't miss out on crucial patches from the developer as the mod evolves from its testing phase.
What to Expect in the Test Phase
Since the mod "currently only adds walls," your initial builds will be limited to experimenting with wall textures. Try placing a standard wall, then snap the Double Sidded Skins wall to its interior. You should see the new texture overlay the backside. This is the perfect time to test which skins work well together and to provide feedback to the developer.
Remember, this is a "test to start," as the developer notes. The Discord server linked in the mod description is the best place to report bugs and suggest new features. Your feedback during this phase will directly influence which structures are added next, be it ceilings, ramps, or even full foundations.
Final Thoughts on Double Sidded Skins
While it is early days, Double Sidded Skins for ARK: Survival Ascended represents a smart solution to a long-standing builder's dilemma. It is a mod that understands the nuance of base design, offering a technical fix that opens up a world of aesthetic possibilities. The ability to have a wall that is truly two-faced—one for the world, one for your home—is a game-changer for those who care about the details.
As the mod matures and expands beyond its current wall-only test, it has the potential to become a staple in the building community. For now, it is an exciting glimpse into the future of construction in the game. If you are a builder looking to push the boundaries of what is possible, this is a mod worth watching closely and testing yourself. Just remember to keep your expectations in check for the current version and enjoy the process of helping shape a promising new tool.