Immersive Flight Ascended (DEPRECATED,OPEN SOURCE)
If you have ever grown tired of watching your Pteranodon "fly-swim" through the air with awkward, weightless animations, you know the exact problem that Immersive Flight Ascended (DEPRECATED,OPEN SOURCE) was built to solve. This unique add-on for ARK: Survival Ascended completely overhauls the way flyers behave, replacing the default movement with a physics-based system that relies on actual lift and drag calculations. The result is a flying experience that feels grounded, challenging, and incredibly rewarding—because these are birds, not fish.
Before diving into the mechanics, it is important to understand the current status of this project. The title includes "DEPRECATED,OPEN SOURCE" for a reason. The original creator has stepped away from the ARK scene, citing personal reasons and changes in the game's direction. However, they did the community a massive favor by zipping up the latest source files and releasing them to the public. This means the mod is no longer officially maintained, but the code is freely available for anyone who wants to pick up the torch, fix bugs, or adapt it for newer versions of the game.
What Does Immersive Flight Ascended (DEPRECATED,OPEN SOURCE) Change?
At its core, this mod replaces the "fly-swimming" mechanic with a realistic flight model. When you install the add-on and convert a compatible creature, you will immediately notice the difference. The controls change, the stamina management becomes critical, and the physics of your creature's weight and wingspan actually matter.
Core Flight Mechanics
- Acceleration and Braking: Holding Sprint in the air allows you to accelerate, while Jump acts as a brake. This gives you direct control over your speed and momentum.
- Soaring: If you hold no buttons, your flyer will stretch its wings and glide, using its existing momentum to stay aloft while conserving stamina.
- Stalling: Most flyers can no longer hover in place. If you stop moving, you will stall and start to fall. Hovering creatures like the Tapejara are the exception to this rule.
- Weight Sensitivity: Your inventory weight directly impacts flight performance. A Pteranodon can barely get off the ground at half its weight capacity, while a Quetzal can carry a near-full load and still glide effortlessly.
- No Vertical Climbing: You cannot fly straight up. The mod forces your flyer to pitch down to a sustainable angle, preventing cheap vertical escapes.
Tracking vs. Manual Flight Modes
One of the most innovative features is the ability to switch between two control schemes. By pressing Prone (X on your keyboard), you can toggle between Tracking and Manual modes. In Tracking mode, your flyer follows your camera as it normally would. In Manual mode, your forward/backward and left/right inputs become pitch and yaw controls, allowing you to steer independently of your camera. This is perfect for strafing runs with Binoculars or scouting the ground below for high-level tames.
Supported Creatures and Water Interactions
The mod currently supports five flyers: Pteranodon, Argentavis, Pelagornis, Tapejara, and Quetzal. The creator had plans to add the Rhyniognatha but stepped away before completing that work. Another standout feature is the water landing mechanic. Flyers can now touch down on water without throwing you off. However, most will become Waterlogged, turning heavy and sluggish until they reach shore and dry off. Pelagornis is immune to this effect, making it the ultimate maritime scout.
How to Install and Version Compatibility
Because this is an open-source release, installation is a bit different from a standard mod. To get started, you need to download Immersive Flight Ascended (DEPRECATED,OPEN SOURCE) and unzip the files. The folder named "ImmersiveFlight" must be placed in your Projects\ShooterGame\Mods directory. It is worth noting that the mod is not up-to-date with the latest ARK: Survival Ascended patches. The code is commented in the more confusing areas, but you may need to do some manual tweaking to make it fully functional on your specific game version.
If you are looking for a hassle-free way to manage this add-on, the foxygame.net launcher offers a streamlined solution. The launcher's catalog includes Immersive Flight Ascended (DEPRECATED,OPEN SOURCE), and its one-click install feature handles the folder placement for you, saving time and reducing the risk of manual errors. This is especially helpful if you are juggling multiple mods and want to ensure version compatibility across your setup.
First-Time Use Warning
If you are installing this on an existing save, you must fast travel or die after the mod is active. This re-applies the player buff that enables the "Convert Flyer" option in the radial menu. Without this step, the option may not appear, and you will be stuck with default flight physics.
Known Bugs and Server Considerations
As with any deprecated mod, there are known issues. On servers, Tapejara may latch onto surfaces weirdly and force riders off upon landing. Flyers might also fail to follow correctly, sometimes spinning rapidly in the air instead of moving toward their owner. These bugs are documented in the source files, and the code is commented to help aspiring modders fix them. If you are running a private server, you may need to test these scenarios and decide if the immersive experience outweighs the occasional glitch.
Is It Worth Using in 2024?
That depends on your tolerance for tinkering. If you want a plug-and-play experience, this mod will likely frustrate you. But if you are a tinkerer, a fan of realistic flight, or a modder looking for a solid foundation, Immersive Flight Ascended (DEPRECATED,OPEN SOURCE) for ARK: Survival Ascended is a treasure trove of innovative ideas. The physics system is genuinely ahead of its time, and the open-source nature means the community can keep it alive. The creator's farewell note is heartfelt, and their decision to share the code is a gift to the community. While the future of this add-on is uncertain, the flight mechanics it introduced remain a benchmark for what ARK's skies could have been. Happy flying, and may your wings never stall.