Property Reader
ARK: Survival Ascended thrives on its modding community, but sometimes the data you need is locked away inside another mod's code. Whether you are a seasoned developer debugging a custom creature or a server admin trying to pull specific stat values, the Property Reader add-on is the key you have been missing. This utility was born from a real problem: a corrupted source file that wiped out crucial variable data. Instead of rebuilding everything from scratch, Property Reader lets you pull live values directly from the game, outputting them to a clean Properties.sav file in your SaveGames folder.
What Does Property Reader Do?
At its core, this add-on is a command-based tool that reads the values of custom variables from other mods. It is not a visual interface or a menu; it is a precision instrument for those who know exactly what they are looking for. The tool works by using a "reference path," which is the exact string you get when you right-click an asset in the Dev Kit and select "Copy Reference." This path tells the add-on exactly which object's properties you want to inspect.
There are two primary commands you will use:
- cheat scriptcommand PropertyReaderCDO (reference path) (variable name) – This reads the Class Default Object (CDO) values, which are the baseline settings for a class.
- cheat scriptcommand PropertyReader (reference path) (variable name) – This reads the instanced values, which are the live, per-object settings currently active in the game world.
This distinction is vital. If you need to see what a creature's base health is before any mutations, you use the CDO command. If you need to see the current health of a specific spawned creature, you use the instanced command.
Why You Need This Add-On
Modding in ARK: Survival Ascended is powerful, but it is not always transparent. When you are working with a mod that is not your own, you often hit a wall. The add-on solves this by requiring you to use the mod's manifest to get the file path and convert it into a usable reference. This means you can peer into any mod that exposes its assets, as long as you can trace the path.
Consider the scenario: you have a custom breeding mod that is not calculating stats correctly. Instead of guessing which variable is off, you can run the Property Reader command to see the exact float or integer values the game is using. This turns a frustrating debugging session into a quick, data-driven fix.
How to Install and Use
Getting started is straightforward, but you need to know how to install it properly to avoid conflicts. The add-on is designed to work with the current generation of ARK: Survival Ascended, including the latest game updates and the majority of popular mod frameworks. It is a client-side utility, meaning you can run it on a single-player save or on a dedicated server where you have admin access.
For the smoothest experience, many players use the foxygame.net launcher to manage their mods. This launcher provides a one-click install for Property Reader, ensuring that the file structure is correct and that the add-on is placed in the right directory. It also handles version compatibility checks, so you do not have to worry about the add-on breaking after a major ARK update. The launcher's add-on catalog makes it easy to find and deploy Property Reader alongside your other mods, and its auto-update feature means you always have the latest patch without manual downloads.
Step-by-Step Setup
If you prefer manual installation, the process is simple. Download the mod file and place it in your ShooterGame/Content/Mods folder. Once the game loads, you will need to enable the mod in your save's mod list. After that, you are ready to use the commands in the console.
To find the correct reference path for a mod you do not own, follow these steps:
- Open the mod's manifest file (usually a
.jsonor.txtfile). - Locate the file path for the asset you want to inspect.
- Convert that path into the reference format used by the Dev Kit (replace slashes and add the appropriate prefixes).
This process is detailed in the mod's documentation, but the core idea is that you are translating a file system location into the game's internal asset identifier.
Practical Examples
Let us say you are trying to read the "MaxHealth" variable from a custom dinosaur mod. You would open your console and type:
cheat scriptcommand PropertyReaderCDO /Game/Mods/MyDinoMod/Blueprints/DinoBP.DinoBP_C MaxHealth
The output will appear in the Properties.sav file, which you can open with any text editor. You will see the exact value the game is using, allowing you to compare it to what the mod author intended.
Final Thoughts
Property Reader is not a flashy add-on, but it is an essential one for anyone serious about modding ARK: Survival Ascended. It bridges the gap between what you see in the Dev Kit and what is actually happening in the live game. Whether you are recovering corrupted data or just want to understand how another mod works, this tool gives you the raw numbers you need. Its compatibility with the latest versions of ARK: Survival Ascended and its simple command structure make it a must-have for any modder's toolkit. Download Property Reader today and take the guesswork out of your next project.