Overview
The preaquatica beta branch for ARK: Survival Evolved is crucial for reverting your game and dedicated server to the version prior to the 360.1 update. This is often necessary to maintain compatibility with certain mods that may not function correctly on newer game versions.
This article provides detailed instructions on how to correctly configure both your ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server and your game client(s) to use the preaquatica branch, ensuring seamless connection and proper mod functionality.
Configuring Your ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server
To run your dedicated server on the preaquatica beta branch, you must specify the correct launch arguments. Unlike client game settings, server beta branches are typically managed via command-line parameters or within your server host's configuration panel (often in an "Additional Arguments" or "Launch Parameters" field).
Steps:
- Locate the "Additional Arguments", "Launch Parameters", or similar configuration field for your ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server. This field is usually found in your server hosting control panel or within the batch file/script used to launch SteamCMD for your server.
- In this field, enter the following command:
-beta preaquaticaThis command instructs SteamCMD to download and run the preaquatica branch of ARK: Survival Evolved for your server and to validate its files.
Configuring Your ARK: Survival Evolved Game Client(s)
For players to connect to a preaquatica dedicated server, their ARK: Survival Evolved game client must also be running on the same beta branch. This is managed directly through the Steam client.
Steps:
- Open your Steam library.
- Right-click on "ARK: Survival Evolved" in your game list.
- Select "Properties".
- In the Properties window, navigate to the "Betas" tab.
- From the "Beta Participation" dropdown menu, select "
preaquatica - ASE: Pre-Aquatica". - Close the Properties window. Steam will automatically download the necessary files for the
preaquaticabranch.
Important Note
Both your ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server and all connecting game clients must be on the exact same beta branch (preaquatica in this case) to ensure successful connection and gameplay without compatibility issues.
