Switching maps on your ARK: Survival Evolved server, whether you're moving from The Island to Ragnarok or trying out one of the newer DLC maps, starts a fresh world by default. If you want to bring your character, dinos, or items along, you'll need to upload them before switching and download them again once you're on the new map.
⚠️ Important Warning:
Changing your map loads an entirely new save. Your current world, structures, and any characters that weren't uploaded to an Obelisk beforehand will not carry over. Take a backup before proceeding, just in case.
Step 1: Transfer Your Character First (Optional)
If you want to keep your survivor, tamed dinos, or inventory, do this before changing the map:
- Connect to your server on its current map.
- Travel to any Obelisk (or a Tribute Terminal on maps without one).
- Upload your Survivor, then upload your Creatures separately.
- Unequip anything like saddles first, then upload your items to Ark Data.
📝 Note:
Uploading a creature removes it from your current map immediately, so don't upload anything you're not ready to leave behind for good if the map switch doesn't go as planned.
Step 2: Change The Map
- Log into your MintServers panel and select your server.
- Open the Game Settings tab in the sidebar.
- Find the Map variable and enter the Map ID for the map you want, using the reference table below.
- Save your changes.
ARK: Survival Evolved Map IDs
- The Island:
TheIsland - The Center:
TheCenter - Scorched Earth:
ScorchedEarth_P - Ragnarok:
Ragnarok - Aberration:
Aberration_P - Extinction:
Extinction - Valguero:
Valguero_P - Genesis: Part 1:
Genesis - Crystal Isles:
CrystalIsles - Genesis: Part 2:
Gen2 - Lost Island:
LostIsland Fjordur
📝 A Note On Aquatica:
Aquatica is ARK: Survival Evolved's newest DLC map, and reports on exactly how it needs to be launched vary, some sources list it as a standard map name, others note it may need an additional Workshop component alongside the DLC purchase. If you're trying to load Aquatica specifically, open a support ticket first so we can confirm the correct setup for your server before you switch.
Step 3: Restart Your Server
- Go back to the Console tab.
- Start your server.
- The server will load a fresh world on the new map. This can take longer than a normal restart the first time, since some maps generate a large amount of data on first load.
Step 4: Download Your Character On The New Map
If you uploaded your survivor in Step 1:
- Connect to your server on the new map.
- At the character creation screen, choose Download Existing Survivor instead of creating a new one.
- Travel to an Obelisk or Tribute Terminal to download your uploaded creatures and items.
🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Map Change Issues
Server won't start after changing the map:Double-check the Map ID is typed exactly as shown above, including capitalization and any trailing_P.Can't find your uploaded character on the new map:Make sure you selected Download Existing Survivor rather than creating a new character, and that you're at an Obelisk or Tribute Terminal.Server is slow or crashing on the new map:Larger maps like Genesis: Part 2 and Crystal Isles need more resources than smaller maps like The Island. If you've upsized to a bigger map, your plan may need more RAM to run it comfortably, open a support ticket and we can help you check.Items or dinos didn't come through:Confirm they were actually uploaded before you changed maps, uploads only happen at the moment you interact with the Obelisk, not automatically.
Once your server boots on the new map and you're able to download your survivor, you're good to go. If anything doesn't go as expected, no worries! Just open a support ticket and our team will help you sort it out.