Ark: Survival Evolved: Best BaseEngine.ini for Old-Gen Hardware

The primary goal for ARK old-gen optimization is Shader Simplification and Light Cull. The game’s default lighting system—especially “TrueSky” and “Dynamic Lighting”—can cripple older GPUs with limited VRAM. This configuration focuses on forcing a lower Shader Model (SM4) and disabling global illumination effects that are unnecessary for survival gameplay but heavy on the processor.

Contents hide

1 Hardware Compatibility & Expectations

2 File Location

3 Technical Configuration (Code Block)

4 Strategy for Old-Gen Hardware

5 Key Performance Parameters

6 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

6.1 Why does my screen go black after these changes?

6.2 Is this considered cheating in PvP?

6.3 How do I fix the “Memory Out” crash?

6.4 Can I still see the sky?

7 Conclusion and Expected Results

Hardware Compatibility & Expectations

VRAM Limitations: If your GPU has 2GB or less VRAM, these settings are mandatory. They reduce the texture streaming pool to prevent “Memory Out” crashes.
DirectX 10 (SM4) Force: This config works best when combined with the -sm4 or -d3d10 launch options, which tell the engine to ignore modern DX11 features.
CPU Priority: For dual-core or early quad-core CPUs (Intel 4th Gen / AMD FX Series), reducing “Atmospheric Fog” and “Shadow Cascades” frees up vital cycles for the game’s AI and physics.

File Location

While BaseEngine.ini is the template, you should apply these overrides to your Engine.ini to avoid breaking the core game files:

[Steam Path]\steamapps\common\ARK\ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor\Engine.ini

Technical Configuration (Code Block)

Paste the following blocks into your Engine.ini file to bypass heavy post-processing and lighting bottlenecks:

[/Script/Engine.RendererSettings]
r.SimpleDynamicLighting=1      ; Disables complex light bounces
r.DefaultFeature.Bloom=False   ; Removes the glow haze around lights
r.DefaultFeature.AmbientOcclusion=False
r.DefaultFeature.MotionBlur=False
r.ShadowQuality=0              ; Completely removes dynamic shadows for max FPS
r.Shadow.CSM.MaxCascades=0
r.VolumetricFog=0              ; Essential for clarity and performance
r.Atmosphere=0                 ; Removes expensive sky atmosphere effects
r.TrueSkyQuality=0             ; Disables the heavy TrueSky system

[SystemSettings]
r.ScreenPercentage=75          ; Render at 75% resolution for a huge boost
r.ViewDistanceScale=0.6        ; Reduces object draw distance
r.PostProcessAAQuality=0       ; Disables Anti-Aliasing (sharper but jagged)
r.DetailMode=0                 ; Lowers world detail level
r.LightFunctionQuality=0

Strategy for Old-Gen Hardware

To ensure ARK remains playable during intense base raids or dinosaur encounters:

The SM4 Advantage: Using the -sm4 launch option via Steam properties, combined with r.SimpleDynamicLighting=1, can nearly double your frame rate on old hardware by switching to a simpler rendering path.
Resolution Scaling: If you are still below 30 FPS, adjust r.ScreenPercentage. Setting this to 75 or 80 provides a significant performance gain without making the UI unreadable.
Launch Parameters: For the best results, use these together with your .ini tweaks:-USEALLAVAILABLECORES -sm4 -d3d10 -nomansky -lowmemory -high

Key Performance Parameters

Parameter	Recommended Value	Impact
r.SimpleDynamicLighting	1	Drastically reduces GPU usage by simplifying lights.
r.VolumetricFog	0	Removes the thick fog that taxes older VRAM.
r.ShadowQuality	0	The single biggest FPS gain (disables all shadows).
r.ScreenPercentage	75-100	Balances visual clarity with rendering speed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does my screen go black after these changes?

This sometimes happens with r.SimpleDynamicLighting=1 in certain biomes. If your screen is pitch black, open the console with TAB and type gamma 4 to artificially increase the brightness.

Is this considered cheating in PvP?

No, editing .ini files for performance is common in the ARK community. However, some official servers might restrict certain commands if they remove foliage (like grass.Enable 0). The settings above focus on lighting and are generally safe.

How do I fix the “Memory Out” crash?

Ensure you are using the -lowmemory launch option. This forces the game to use lower-resolution textures and reduces the “World Tile Buffer,” saving your RAM from overflowing.

Can I still see the sky?

If you use -nomansky, the sky will look static and stars will be missing. It’s not pretty, but it’s the best way to gain 10+ FPS on a weak system.

Conclusion and Expected Results

By manually refining your Engine.ini to prioritize shader simplicity and disabling the heavy “TrueSky” and shadow systems, you are making ARK playable on hardware that would otherwise fail to launch the game. You can expect a significant FPS increase, less stuttering during flights, and a much more responsive experience even on the most demanding maps like Extinction or Genesis.