Install Primitive Plus on an ARK Server

Primitive Plus is an official ARK: Survival Evolved mod that strips the game back to a more traditional survival experience, removing advanced technology like guns, electricity, and tek, and adding new crafting tiers, building pieces, and resources. This guide walks you through enabling Primitive Plus on a dedicated ARK server, whether you run it yourself or rent from a hosting provider, so your whole server plays the same modded ruleset.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your server’s control panel or command line (for dedicated servers).
• An ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server (SteamCMD or a hosting provider).
• SteamCMD installed (if you’re running your own server).
• Enough disk space for the mod download (roughly 1-2 GB).

Step-by-Step

1. Locate your server’s configuration files. For a rented server, log into your hosting control panel and find the “Commandline” or “Startup” section. For a dedicated server, navigate to your ARK server folder (usually ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux or ShooterGame/Binaries/Win64).
2. Find the mod ID for Primitive Plus. The official Primitive Plus mod ID is 111111111 (that’s nine ones). This is the same ID used for the mod on Steam Workshop. Double-check this ID on the official ARK wiki if you’re unsure, as it’s critical.
3. Add the mod to your server’s startup parameters. In your control panel or launch script, add the following to the command line: -mods=111111111. If you already have other mods, separate them with commas: -mods=111111111,123456789.
4. Update your GameUserSettings.ini. Open ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini (or WindowsServer on Windows). Under the [ServerSettings] section, add or edit the line: ActiveMods=111111111. If you have multiple mods, list them comma-separated, e.g., ActiveMods=111111111,123456789.
5. Set the server to use Primitive Plus (optional but recommended). In the same [ServerSettings] section, add: ServerCrosshair=true (optional) and more importantly, set bUseSingleplayerSettings=false (default) and ensure MaxPlayers is set. The mod itself enforces the primitive ruleset, but you can also add ?bUseModded=True to the command line if your host requires it.
6. Restart your server. Save all changes, then restart the server. The first start will download the mod from Steam Workshop—this can take a few minutes. Watch the console or logs for errors.
7. Verify the mod is active. Once the server is up, join it in-game. You should see a “Primitive Plus” message in the chat or a distinct loading screen. Also, check the server console for lines like “Mod ID 111111111 loaded”. If you don’t see it, check the logs for errors.
8. Adjust server settings for Primitive Plus (optional). Primitive Plus changes many recipes and engrams. You may want to tweak OverrideEngramEntries or EngramLevels in GameUserSettings.ini to balance progression. Refer to the official ARK wiki for a list of new engrams.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong mod ID: Using a different ID (like the old primitive mod’s ID) will load the wrong mod or fail. Always verify the ID is 111111111.
• Forgetting to add the mod to both the command line and the ini file. Some hosts only read one or the other. Add it to both to be safe.
• Not restarting after adding the mod. The server must be restarted to download and load the mod.
• Using a client without the mod. Players must also subscribe to Primitive Plus on Steam Workshop, or they’ll be kicked when joining.
• Conflicting mods. Some mods are incompatible with Primitive Plus. If you have other mods, try disabling them temporarily to see if the issue resolves.

Tips

• Back up your server files before making changes, especially the ini files.
• If you’re renting, your host’s knowledge base may have specific instructions for enabling mods—check that first.
• Primitive Plus adds new resources like Salt and Clay. Make sure your map has the appropriate spawns (most official maps do).
• Consider setting PreventDinos=true if you want a purely peaceful experience, but that’s a separate setting.
• Test on a single-player or private server first before applying to a live server.

Troubleshooting

• Server won’t start after adding the mod. Check the server log for errors. Common causes: invalid mod ID, missing SteamCMD permissions, or disk space. Remove the mod parameters, start the server, then re-add them.
• Players get “Mod mismatch” or are kicked. Ensure every player has subscribed to Primitive Plus on Steam Workshop and that the mod is enabled in their client. Also, verify the server’s mod ID matches.
• Mod downloads but doesn’t load. Check that the ActiveMods line in GameUserSettings.ini is under [ServerSettings] and not misspelled. Also, confirm the mod is in the correct folder (ShooterGame/Content/Mods/111111111).
• Items or engrams are missing. Primitive Plus may not be fully compatible with all maps. Try a different map (e.g., The Island) to see if the issue persists. Also, check if your server has a mod that overwrites engrams.
• Server lags after enabling mod. The mod increases resource requirements. Lower your server’s tick rate or reduce the number of wild dinos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Primitive Plus free?

Yes, Primitive Plus is a free official mod on Steam Workshop.

Can I use Primitive Plus with other mods?

Yes, but some mods may conflict. Test each mod individually to ensure compatibility.

Does Primitive Plus work on all maps?

It works on most official maps, but some modded maps may not have all the new resources. The Island is the most stable.

How do I update Primitive Plus on my server?

Restart your server; it will automatically check for updates on Steam Workshop.

Can I disable Primitive Plus later?

Yes, remove the mod ID from the command line and ini, then restart. Your world will revert to standard ARK, but some items may disappear.

Why can’t I craft certain items in Primitive Plus?

Primitive Plus rebalances engrams. You may need to level up more or find specific resources. Check the engram list on the ARK wiki.

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