Hollow
If you have ever looked at the rugged, industrial-looking structures in ARK: Survival Ascended and wished your base felt more like a warm countryside cottage, then Hollow is the mod you have been waiting for. This ambitious cosmetic project takes common vanilla items and reimagines them as charming country decor, from a crackling fireplace to rustic stone floors and whimsical mushroom furniture. It is a fresh revamp of the earlier "Hope in the Hollow" project, with cleaned-up files and a clear vision for the future. While the mod is currently in its testing phase, it already offers a delightful way to personalize your survivor's home.
What Does the Hollow Mod Add?
At its core, Hollow is a cosmetic skin mod. Instead of adding brand-new, resource-heavy items to the game, it cleverly re-skins existing vanilla assets. This means you can apply a beautiful country aesthetic to items you already know how to craft and use. The result is a cohesive, cozy look that feels right at home in the game's lush environments. The mod is designed for players who love base building and want more thematic variety without the hassle of learning new engrams.
Key Features and Content
The current build of Hollow focuses on a few key furniture and building pieces. The highlight is undoubtedly the fireplace, which transforms a standard campfire or forge into a charming, rustic hearth. Additionally, you will find a re-skinned stone floor that gives your foundation a hand-laid, cottage feel. For those who enjoy a touch of whimsy, the mushroom furniture set adds a magical, forest-dwelling vibe to your interiors. Here is a quick look at what is included:
- Country Fireplace: A beautiful reskin of a common fire source, perfect for a main hall or bedroom.
- Rustic Stone Floor: Replaces the standard texture with a more detailed, country-style stone pattern.
- Mushroom Furniture: A set of cosmetic skins that turn standard tables, chairs, and storage into fungal-themed decor.
- Vanilla Item Integration: All skins are applied to existing items, ensuring no stat changes or balance issues.
Current Status and Important Caveats
It is crucial to understand the current state of Hollow before you decide to download Hollow. As stated by the developer, the project is waiting on a whitelist and, as of now, only works in single player. This is a significant limitation, but it is perfect for players who enjoy solo survival or testing out new builds in a private world. The mod is in an active testing phase, which means you may encounter bugs or visual glitches. The developer is actively encouraging feedback to polish the experience, so your reports can directly shape the final version.
How to Install and Compatibility
For those playing solo, getting this set up is straightforward. The process for how to install the mod is the same as any other add-on for ARK: Survival Ascended. You will need to find the mod in the in-game mod browser or on the Steam Workshop, subscribe to it, and then enable it when creating or loading your single-player world. It is important to note that the mod is built for the current version of the game, and the developer is working to ensure compatibility with future updates. Since it is cosmetic, it should have minimal conflicts with other mods, but as with any testing-phase project, it is best to run it in a clean save to avoid potential issues.
For players who prefer a more streamlined management process, the foxygame.net launcher offers a convenient way to handle your add-ons. It provides a catalog where you can easily locate Hollow and install it with a single click, ensuring you always have the latest version without manually checking for updates. This can be especially helpful when the mod is updated frequently to fix bugs during its testing phase, as the launcher helps maintain version compatibility with your game client.
Join the Community and Report Bugs
Because this project is in its early stages, community involvement is vital. The developer has set up a dedicated Discord server for players to report bugs, offer suggestions, or simply hang out and talk about ARK. If you encounter a mesh issue or a texture that looks odd, reaching out is the best way to help improve the mod. The developer has specifically asked for feedback to help clean up the remaining issues, so do not be shy about sharing your experience. This collaborative approach is what makes the ARK modding community so special.
The Future of Hollow
While Hollow is currently limited to single-player, the potential is immense. The "revamp" status suggests that the developer is serious about fixing the legacy issues from the original "Hope in the Hollow" mod. Once the whitelist is approved, we can likely expect multiplayer support, which will open up the possibility of creating entire villages with a cohesive country theme. Until then, solo players can enjoy a unique, cozy aesthetic that stands out from the typical survivor base. If you are looking for a way to make your single-player world feel more like home, keep an eye on this one.
In conclusion, Hollow for ARK: Survival Ascended is a promising cosmetic overhaul for players who crave a homier atmosphere. It successfully repurposes vanilla items into beautiful decor, offering a glimpse of what a full countryside expansion could look like. While the current single-player limitation and testing-phase bugs are hurdles, the core concept is solid and the execution is charming. If you are willing to provide feedback and enjoy a rustic style, this is a mod worth trying out. Just remember to set your expectations for a work-in-progress and enjoy the cozy vibes it brings to your campfire.