Old Kibble System
For veteran survivors who miss the intricate, tiered taming of ARK's early days, the Old Kibble System mod for ARK: Survival Ascended is a love letter to the past. This ambitious add-on aims to replicate the original kibble-based taming progression as faithfully as possible, blending nostalgic recipe structures with the streamlined taming durations of the current game. It is not just a simple re-skin; it is a full rework of how you prepare for and execute tames, demanding planning and resource management that modern ARK has largely simplified.
What Makes the Old Kibble System Different?
The core philosophy here is to bring back the old-school kibble tree. Instead of the current generic "Basic," "Simple," and "Regular" kibbles that any creature can eat, this mod reintroduces a specific, species-linked progression. You will need to craft specific kibbles to efficiently tame specific dinosaurs, mirroring the classic hierarchy where a Rex required a Yutyrannus egg, and a Pteranodon needed a Dodo egg. This system encourages a diverse base of tamed egg-layers, making your taming journey a strategic puzzle rather than a simple grind.
Recipes and Taming Times: A Hybrid Approach
While the recipes are largely inspired by the ARK: Mobile version, the taming times are cleverly adjusted. The mod uses the current kibble (Basic, Simple, Regular) taming times for its custom "OKS" kibbles. This means you get the complexity of the old system without the punishing, multi-hour waits of the original game. It strikes a perfect balance for players who want the challenge of preparation but respect their real-world time.
Key Features and Progression
- Classic Progression: Follows the original kibble tree, where you must tame smaller creatures to use their eggs for larger ones.
- Custom "OKS" Crafting Stations: You must craft "OKS" versions of the Cooking Pot and Industrial Cooker. The resource costs are identical to their vanilla counterparts, but they unlock the new recipes.
- Broad Creature Support: Nearly all kibble-tamable creatures are modified, excluding the first tier (Dodo, Dilo, Parasaur) which never accepted kibble originally.
- Scorched Earth Integration: Recent updates (V1.03 and V1.02) have added dedicated cookers for the Scorched Earth map and adjusted recipes for its unique fauna, including Ceratosaurus, Deinosuchus, and Fasolasuchus.
How to Install and Use the Mod
Understanding how to install this mod is straightforward. After you download Old Kibble System from your preferred mod repository, simply subscribe to it and enable it in your ARK: Survival Ascended server or single-player session. The mod is designed to work with current versions of the game, and the developer is actively patching for compatibility with new content updates.
If you are adding the mod to an existing save, you must run the command DestroyWildDinos after installation. This is crucial because the mod replaces the wild creature spawns with its modified versions. If you install it before creating a new game, this step is unnecessary. Once loaded, craft the "OKS" Cooking Pot or Industrial Cooker, place it, and you will find the new kibble recipes available alongside the standard ones.
For those looking to streamline their mod management, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for Old Kibble System, automatically handling version compatibility and updates so you can jump straight into your taming projects without fussing over file locations.
Known Issues and Community Feedback
As a mod in active development, there are a few quirks to be aware of. The most notable known issue is an excessive consumption of narcotics in solo or host games. This is a balancing problem the developer is aware of and is actively working on. The community is encouraged to report any bugs or imbalances they encounter, as player feedback is the primary driver for the mod's evolution.
What's New in Recent Updates
The latest patches have significantly expanded the mod's reach. The V1.02 update added kibble for Ceratosaurus, Deinosuchus, Fasolasuchus, Shastasaurus, and Xiphactinus. It also reworked recipes for creatures like the Argentavis, Doedicurus, and Sabertooth to function properly on the Scorched Earth map. The V1.03 update then introduced a dedicated Cooking Pot and Industrial Cooker specifically for Scorched Earth, ensuring that desert survivors have the same nostalgic experience as those on The Island.
For players who want the classic taming hierarchy back in their game, the Old Kibble System for ARK: Survival Ascended is an essential addition. It respects the legacy of the original taming mechanics while adapting to modern gameplay expectations. The mod's active development cycle and responsiveness to community feedback make it a promising project that will only get better with time. If you crave a more meaningful taming progression, this mod delivers a rewarding and nostalgic challenge that changes how you view your dino collection.
Ultimately, the Old Kibble System succeeds in making taming feel like a milestone again. The need to maintain a breeding population of smaller dinos to fuel your larger tames creates a satisfying economic loop. It is a must-try for any survivor tired of the oversimplified kibble system of the base game, offering a deep, rewarding, and constantly improving alternative.