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How to Raise the Level Cap in ARK Using Game.ini

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How to Raise the Level Cap in ARK Using Game.ini

This guide explains how to increase the maximum level for players and tamed creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved by editing the Game.ini configuration file. You will learn the exact settings to change, where to find the file, and how to apply the changes for both single-player and dedicated servers. This method works for the Steam, Epic Games, and Windows Store versions of the game.

What You’ll Need

  • Access to the ARK game files on your computer (for single-player or a non-dedicated session) or the server files (for a dedicated server).
  • A text editor such as Notepad, Notepad++, or Visual Studio Code.
  • Basic understanding of file paths and editing text files.
  • For dedicated servers: the ability to stop and restart the server process.

Step-by-Step

  1. Locate the Game.ini file.
    • Single-player / Non-dedicated: Navigate to Steam\steamapps\common\ARK\ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor\ (or WindowsServer for a dedicated server on Windows). If you use Epic Games, the path is similar but under the Epic Games folder. For the Windows Store version, the path is under WindowsApps (you may need to enable hidden files and take ownership to edit).
    • Dedicated server: The file is in the same relative path on the server machine: ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\Game.ini (or LinuxServer for Linux servers).
  2. Back up the file. Copy Game.ini to a safe location (e.g., Game.ini.backup) before making any changes. This allows you to revert if something goes wrong.
  3. Open Game.ini in a text editor. Right-click the file, select “Open with�, and choose your text editor. If the file is empty or missing, you can create a new text file and name it Game.ini.
  4. Add the level cap settings. At the top of the file (or under the [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode] section if it already exists), add the following lines: 
    [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode]
MaxLevel=150
MaxLevelTamed=150
MaxLevelWild=150

    Replace 150 with your desired maximum level. Note: MaxLevel sets the player level cap, MaxLevelTamed sets the cap for tamed creatures, and MaxLevelWild sets the cap for wild creatures. You can set them to different values if you want distinct caps.

  5. Save the file. In your text editor, click File → Save (or press Ctrl+S). Make sure the file is saved as Game.ini (not Game.ini.txt). If you created a new file, ensure the extension is .ini.
  6. Restart the game or server.
    • Single-player: Exit ARK completely and relaunch it. Load your save.
    • Dedicated server: Stop the server process and start it again. The new settings will be applied on the next world load.
  7. Verify the change. In-game, press Tab to open the console (if enabled) and type GetMaxPlayerLevel to see the player cap. For tamed/wild, you can check the level of a creature after taming or by using a spyglass on a wild one. If the numbers match your settings, you are done.

Common Mistakes

  • Editing the wrong file. Many players accidentally edit GameUserSettings.ini instead of Game.ini. The level cap settings go only in Game.ini.
  • Missing the section header. The settings must be under the [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode] section. If you put them at the top without that header, they will be ignored.
  • Using the wrong key names. The correct keys are MaxLevel, MaxLevelTamed, and MaxLevelWild. Using MaxPlayerLevel or MaxDinoLevel will not work.
  • Not restarting completely. Simply reloading a save without restarting the game may not apply the changes. Always fully exit and relaunch.
  • File saved as .txt. If you create a new file, Windows may append .txt automatically. Ensure the final file name is exactly Game.ini.

Tips

  • Set realistic caps. Extremely high levels (e.g., 1000) can cause balance issues and make the game trivial. A common choice is 150 for players and 150 for tamed, matching the official server caps.
  • Adjust engram points. If you raise the player level cap, you may want to increase the engram points per level. Add LevelEngramPoints=100 under the same section to give 100 points per level instead of the default 20.
  • Use the same values for all three. If you want a uniform cap, set all three to the same number. Otherwise, you can have different caps for players, tamed, and wild.
  • Test on a backup. Before applying to your main save, test the settings on a copy of your world to ensure they work as expected.
  • Keep a note of your settings. If you later update the game or move to a new server, you will need to reapply these changes.

Troubleshooting

  • The level cap did not change. Double-check that you edited the correct file and that the section header is exactly [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode]. Also verify that the game was fully restarted.
  • The game crashes on startup. This usually means the Game.ini contains a syntax error. Restore the backup file and re-apply the changes carefully, ensuring no extra spaces or missing brackets.
  • Settings are ignored on a dedicated server. Confirm that the server is using the correct Game.ini path. Some hosting panels have a separate “Configâ€� section where you can edit the file directly; make sure you are editing the live file, not a template.
  • Existing characters do not gain levels. The level cap only affects future level-ups. If your character is already at the old cap, you will need to use a command like GiveExperienceToCharacter 1000000 (or use a mod) to gain enough XP to cross the threshold.
  • Tamed creatures still show old cap. Wild creatures that were already spawned before the change will remain at their old levels. New spawns will use the new cap. To force new spawns, you can use the command DestroyWildDinos (this will wipe all wild dinos, so use with caution).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set the level cap above 150?

Yes, you can set it to any value, but the game may become unstable or unbalanced at very high numbers. Many players use 300 or 500 for boosted servers, but be prepared for longer leveling times and potential performance issues.

Does this work on official servers?

No. Official servers have their own fixed level caps and do not read Game.ini from clients. This method only works for single-player, non-dedicated, or dedicated servers that you control.

Will my existing tamed dinos get the new cap?

No. The cap only affects new spawns and future level-ups. Existing dinos will remain at their current level until they gain XP, and they can then level up to the new cap.

What is the difference between MaxLevelTamed and MaxLevelWild?

MaxLevelWild sets the maximum level for wild creatures that spawn naturally. MaxLevelTamed sets the maximum level that a tamed creature can reach through leveling up after being tamed. They are independent.

Can I use these settings on a Nitrado or other hosting panel?

Yes, most hosting panels provide a file manager where you can edit Game.ini directly. Look for the “Config Files� or “FTP� section in your panel.

Do I need to add the settings to both Game.ini and GameUserSettings.ini?

No, only Game.ini is needed. GameUserSettings.ini is for other settings like graphics and server name.

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