Nexus Incubator
Breeding in ARK: Survival Ascended is a test of patience, timing, and environmental management. Few things are more frustrating than watching a perfect egg lose its health bar because the temperature in your base dipped by a few degrees. The Nexus Incubator addresses this core frustration head-on by porting the beloved incubator concept from ARK: Survival Evolved and adding a crucial layer of automation. While the original mod was created for the Nexus Gaming community and is no longer actively maintained, its functionality remains a valuable asset for players who want a more forgiving and streamlined breeding experience.
What Is the Nexus Incubator?
This add-on is a direct port of the classic Incubator from ASE, redesigned for the Unreal Engine 5 framework of ASA. Its primary purpose is to provide a dedicated structure where you can place fertilized eggs to manage their hatching environment. Unlike relying on campfires, air conditioners, or the unpredictable weather, the Nexus Incubator centralizes the process. The key differentiator here is the inclusion of automatic temperature controls. You no longer need to manually check the egg's status and adjust your heating or cooling sources; the incubator intelligently manages its internal climate to keep the egg in the optimal zone for development.
Automatic Temperature Management
The star feature of this mod is its self-regulating system. Once an egg is placed inside, the incubator reads the required temperature range and adjusts its internal environment accordingly. This is particularly useful for eggs from creatures that require extreme heat or freezing cold, which are often difficult to maintain in a single static base location. The automatic controls mean you can set it and forget it, allowing you to focus on gathering resources or taming other creatures while your eggs progress safely.
Current State and Known Limitations
It is important to manage expectations regarding this mod. The creator has explicitly stated that the project is a work-in-progress and that all files were lost, leading to a halt in development. Because of this, certain features that rely on core game mechanics are currently broken. Specifically, the Incubation Percentage display and the Incubation Boost functionality are non-operational. These features are waiting on a fix from Wildcard for the vanilla incubator code. This means that while the egg will hatch, you will not see the visual progress bar, and you will not receive the speed boost that the vanilla incubator provides. The egg will simply hatch at its normal speed, provided the temperature is correct.
Mod Compatibility and Supported Versions
Since the mod is a direct port, it is designed to function with the standard version of ARK: Survival Ascended. However, due to its unmaintained status, compatibility with the latest major game patches is not guaranteed. The mod relies on the same code base as the vanilla incubator, so if Wildcard makes significant changes to that structure, this mod may break entirely. It is recommended to check the mod's page for community reports regarding the current version of ASA before relying on it for critical breeding projects. For players using modded stacks or S+ style structures, there should be no direct conflict, but always test in a single-player session first.
For players looking to streamline their setup, the foxygame.net launcher offers a convenient one-click install for the Nexus Incubator, ensuring you get the correct files without navigating external sites. The launcher's add-on catalog keeps track of your installed mods, making it easier to manage your ASA load order and revert changes if a game update causes issues.
How to Install and Use the Mod
Installing the Nexus Incubator for ARK: Survival Ascended is straightforward, whether you are using a dedicated server or playing solo. If you are on Steam, you can subscribe to the mod via the Steam Workshop. For those using a launcher like foxygame.net, the process is even simpler, as it handles the installation and updates automatically. If you are running a dedicated server, you will need to add the mod ID to your server's mod list and restart the server to download the content.
Step-by-Step Setup
- Download: Locate the mod on your preferred platform. To download Nexus Incubator, use the Workshop or the foxygame.net launcher's catalog.
- Install: Subscribe or click install. Ensure the mod is enabled in your single-player world or server settings.
- Craft: Once in-game, unlock the Engram. The structure is typically found under the "Structures" or "Crafting" tab. It requires standard materials like Polymer, Metal, and Crystal.
- Place and Power: Place the incubator on a flat surface. It requires electricity to operate, so connect it to a generator or wind turbine via cables.
- Insert Egg: Open the incubator's inventory and place a fertilized egg inside. The automatic temperature controls will kick in immediately.
For those wondering how to install this manually, the process is the same as any other ASA mod. After downloading, the game client handles the rest. The key is ensuring the mod is loaded in the correct order if you have multiple mods that alter breeding mechanics.
Is It Worth Using?
Despite the broken progress bar and lack of boost, the Nexus Incubator remains a solid choice for players who value convenience over speed. The automatic temperature control is a massive quality-of-life improvement that removes the most tedious aspect of breeding. If you are tired of babysitting eggs with torches and air conditioners, this mod is worth adding to your loadout. Just be aware that you are using a legacy tool that may not receive updates. For a fully featured experience, you might need to look for alternative incubator mods that are actively maintained, but for a simple, functional temperature solution, the Nexus Incubator for ARK: Survival Ascended delivers on its core promise. It is a testament to the community's ability to adapt and improve upon official mechanics, even when official support lags behind.