ARK MOD TUTORIAL
Create and Distribute MODS
through Steam Workshop

 

Q: What is the ARK Dev Kit?

 

Q: What can I create with the ARK Dev Kit?

A: While the ARK Dev Kit does not provide access to the ARK C++ game source code, it does contain all of our editable source art for the game, as well as our editable maps and blueprint classes. Thanks to the power of Unreal Engine 4's Blueprint system, even without C++ you can modify and extend quite a lot of the game functionality, including new items, weapons, AI Behavior Trees, structures, and all kinds of gameplay classes & game logic. You can focus on creating a beautiful new environment for the game, or extend the core game classes via Blueprint to add a whole new game mode and new mechanics. Over time we'll detail how to create more complex game modes on the forum, and provide more examples on how to do so!

 

Q: Where do I get the ARK Dev Kit?

 

Q: Where can I get help with the ARK Dev Kit?

TO PLAY A MOD OR CUSTOM MAP

 

 

CREATING A MOD OR CUSTOM MAP

 

When you're ready to create & deploy your own map to Steam Workshop, here's the basic process:

 

Make sure your map and ANY new content that it utilizes (blueprints, art assets, any new assets) are located in “\Content\Mods\YourModName\".

 

Then click the "Cook & Upload to Steam" button on the Editor Toolbar:

 

 

In the dialog which appears appears, you'll see your Mod listed, if it's in the “\Content\Mods\YourModName\" folder (otherwise it won't show up -- it has to be in a Mods subfolder!). Choose your Mod, and then click "Cook". The first time you cook your Mod, the Editor needs to compile a lot of shaders, so it might take a long time (i.e. 30 minutes or more). However, subsequent cooks will be much faster as the compiled shaders are cached to disk.

 

(Note: Cooking your Mod will actually cook it for both Windows and Mac/Linux platforms, for cross-platform online compatibility!)

 

After cooking is finished, enter a Title and Description for your Mod, choose a preview image and initial Workshop Visibility state, and then click "Upload" to Steam Workshop. You'll be asked for your Steam Credentials (don't worry, we don't store them), and then the process will connect to Steam and attempt to upload your content to the Workshop. You'll get a basic progress indicator so you know how things are going during the upload process.

 

After the upload is finished, you can click the "View Item on Steam Workshop" button to adjust your item's presentation on the website.

 

To update your content in the future, simply Cook and Upload again!

 

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We'll have more tutorials about how the specific features of ARK level design are put together, but for now, feel free to explore and modify "TheIsland" map to poke around at how things work, including the stream sublevels and the zone area spawners. Remember, when designing levels you may wish to start small and simple, and then gradually scale up.

 

 

Have fun and happy modding!

 

- The Studio Wildcard Team