How to Use Console Commands on Xbox and PS - Ark Survival Evolved

In order to enter cheat console commands on Xbox and PlayStation 4 and 5.  You need to enter the following buttons all at once in the pause menu.  

Xbox One, Xbox One X Series X, and whatever other stupid names Microsoft uses for its consoles!

LB + RB + X + Y

PS4 and PS5

L1 + R1 + Square + Triangle 

Nintendo Switch - am not sure you can use console commands on this system

When you have done it correctly a line will show where you can type in the code.  After you enter the code hit the admin command button.    

In order to get console commands to work, you may have to type in enablecheats first.  After that, you should be good to enter in the commands easily.  Not all the commands you will find listed for PC will work on the console.  Be careful not to double-tap the admin command button, because it may cancel the command you just entered in.  

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Ark Survival Evolved Single Player Settings

When you are first starting out in Ark Survival Evolved single player you have a number of options with sliders in which to choose from. The first thing you need to do when looking at all these options is to ask yourself how much time you are going to put into this game.  Ark, like most survival games, can be very grindy.  It can take forever to gather resources and level up your character.  You can put hundreds of hours into the game and not reach max level on single player on standard settings.  If you are going to be a casual player you are going to want to be liberal with the settings.  For most settings you the slider or type in a higher number.

My preferred Ark Single Player Settings

Under General Tab

Difficulty:  1

XP multiplier: 2

Taming Speed: 5

Harvest Amount: 3

Water Drain: 0.5

Show Player Map Location (check box)

Under Advanced Tab

Allow Cave Building  (check box)

Allow Cave Flyer  (check box)

Non-permanent Diseases  (check box)

Egg Laying Interval:  0.25

Egg Hatching Speed: 3 to 6

Resource Respawn Interval: 0.25

Night Time Speed: 3.0

Crop Growth Speed: 4 to 6

Tamed Dino Stats

- Stamina: 3

- Weight: 3

Player Stats Per Level

- Stamina: 3

- Weight: 3

Show Floating Text Damage (check box)

The trick is to not be too liberal, or you will end up making the game boring.  Luckily all these settings can be changed each time you load the game!  The only things that will really last is the XP multiplier and the difficulty level you set.  The difficultly level determines what max level the dions spawn in as, so if you had a low setting when you first launch and later change it to a higher difficulty all the original low-level dinos will still be there, but over time higher level dinos will spawn in.  You can kill off all the wild creatures using the destroywilddinos command to make the change to lower or high-level dinos in a matter of minutes. 

In the accompanying video, I explain my favorite settings on the first page on PC, which is very similar to console.  At a later date, I think I’ll do a video on the other tabs. 

What are your favorite Ark Survival Evolved single player settings?  Leave a comment!

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How to Craft the Simple Pistol and Review in Ark Survival Evolved

Is the Simple Pistol in Ark Survival Evolved worth it?  In my opinion, it’s a fun little gun probably better suited to PVP than PVE.  It is patterned after an 1850’s colt cap and ball revolver.  These guns were very popular in the American Civil War.  In the game, the simple pistol has a removable cylinder, and while the real guns do have a removal cylinder, it really can’t be considered a quick reload.  In the game, the pistols appear to be about three times the size of the real-life gun, and least compared to my survivor. 

The simple pistol isn’t really that expensive to craft.  It only requires 60 metal ingots, 5 wood and 15 hide.  It must be crafted in the smithy.  The gun only does 63 damage per shot, but you can fire 6 shots in rapid succession to deal 378 damage before reloading, not too bad.

The only thing that I would say is not really worth it, is the scope on this gun since it is a close-range fast-firing weapon.  Some of the pistol attachments, like the scope or flashlight can be handy. The scope on the long rifle is great, but on the pistol, it is not very useful.  However, there is little reason not to equip it if you just happen to have an extra lying around since it only adds a weight of 0.1.  I liked playing around with the pistol in PVE, but I have to admit that it really isn’t very useful in most day-to-day game situations.  Maybe if I was trying to get through a cave it might be nice to deal some quick damage to titan boa or another creature as it closes the distance and then switch to a sword.   

The longneck rifle is probably the best firearm in the game, see video below.  

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Ark Survival Evolved Split Screen on Xbox One

Hurray!  I can play Ark Survival Evolved with my kids via the split screen on Xbox One.   Well sort of, only in Non Dedicated Multiplayer Sessions .  There are several draw backs to playing split screen.  Keep in mind I’m writing about this in the early access version of the game.  The first thing you’ll notice is the graphics are much lower than the regular version.  It does have some effect on gameplay because it is harder to make out objects in the distance, which can mean you don’t see resources, or the T-Rex headed your way.  You’ll still have time to avoid the rex, but you probably would have taken a different route had you seen it, so it will add to your walking time.  There is also increased, but not game breaking lag.  The very wide view of the split screen makes it hard to read menus that are not optimized for that view.  If someone has never played the game before they are going to have a very hard time navigating the menu.  The last problem is the second player must stay close to the host.  If they stray too far they will be teleported back to the host.  It’s pretty annoying. 

Split Screen Drawbacks

-          Reduced graphics

-          Increased lag

-          Very wide and narrow view

-          Hard to impossible to read text in menus

-          Second player must stay close to the host

    

How to Play Ark Survival Evolved Split Screen

It isn’t obvious at first on how to play split screen, but it is easy to do.

-          At the Ark main menu select Host/Local

-          At the bottom of the next menu select Host Non Dedicated Multiplayer Sessions

-          Once the host is playing the second player hits the menu button on the controller

-          Second player signs in creates new character or downloads an old one.

The Xbox just doesn’t have the processing power to deliver a smooth split screen experience, but it is playable.  It’s fun to be able to share the Ark Survival Evolved experience with family and friends so it’s worth giving it a go just keep in mind that you are going to have to start completely over in XP, stats etc.

Ark Survival Evolved: Xbox One Early Access

Currently you can only get Ark Survival Evolved for one console, the Xbox One, but there are plans to make it available for PS4 in the not so distant future.  I would much rather play a game like Ark Survival Evolved on the PC, but my computer is in the crapper, and I currently don’t have the funds to upgrade or replace it, so Ark Survival Evolved Early Access on the Xbox for me.  The main reason for me to play on PC vs. console is the interface is much easier to navigate with a mouse than move through each option in the menu with a controller.  It is still worth playing on console if you can’t on PC.

The menus of Ark Survival Evolved are slow to navigate on Xbox One.

Ark Survival Evolved Xbox One Glitches

There are a few glitches and bugs on the Xbox One for this early access version.  Most of the bugs I have encountered in single player so far are just a bit annoying, but not game breaking.  There is one however that is both a blessing and a curse.  I’m not sure if it’s only in single player or if it also occurs in multiplayer.  Quite often animals get stuck on, or in rocks and trees.  This is a gift from the gods of Ark, especially if you are starting out, because you basically get free raw meat and hide, or the ability to tame some tough beasts on day one.  The tame dinos, and kills will get you lots of XP you couldn’t get otherwise in the first few hours on the island. 

For example, within one small area of the beach I found two Dilophosaur (Dilos) stuck in driftwood, and a Triceratops stuck in a tree.  The dilos I could just punch out and then tame.  The Trike took some more work to knock out because it can still strike you, even in its compromised position, so be careful to avoid the front end of the trike if you don’t want to get Triceratops horns in your gut.  After the tame begins you can free the animals by destroying the wood or rock they are stuck in, but occasionally the act of knocking it out is enough to free them.  Be very careful when taking down the trees they are stuck in because you can harm the dino if you hit it by accident.  I use my fists to hit the tree because they are more precise and will do less damage to the animal in case you hit it by accident.  I even encountered a Brontosaurs stuck in some rocks, but I wasn’t ready to deal with an animal that size. 

Building a dock for my raft in Ark Survival Evolved

The tree glitch in the early access version is like getting mana from heaven, but it is also a real pain when traveling with your new friends, because the large ones such as the trikes and Parasaur get stuck frequently.  This is can be fatal for you and your tame animals if you have to flee from a dangerous dinosaur.  I lost my first Parasaur when it got stuck in tree while we were fleeing a Spinosaur.  I also lost my highest level dilo at the time, which was a bummer.  I assume the developers will get this fixed before the full version is launched, but in the meantime tame some animals and get some food and hide. 

Game Breaking Bug

After writing the rest of this post a few days ago I have encountered a very big problem that is going to halt my progress with this game.  Every time I use my engram points and learn a new skill, that skill does not show up in my craftables tab. In my current game I am stuck on  nice little stretch of beach with few major problems, but not too far down on each side are some major dinos that I can't deal with without upgrading my weapons, armor etc., and I can't do that right now.  I'm pretty much stuck walking down the beach collecting wood etc. and when I get to a certain point I have to look at the spino and the glowing alpha raptor, and head back home to build up my base.  That will get boring pretty soon.  Hopefully this bug gets fixed soon.  

The other main glitch is more annoying than anything is the lag I experienced.  On one of the multiplayer servers it was pretty bad, but even on the single player it stutters occasionally, but only for a brief period of time.  There are also some minor rendering bugs, but they are no big deal. 

Hopefully by the time you read this, these early access bugs will have been fixed.I’m finding Ark Survival Evolved to be very addicting.  Currently I am playing the single player, and have the Ark world all to myself, but sooner or later I’ll probably be renting a server and playing with a few friends PvE.  I really have no desire to play PvP right now.      

Spectra Illuminated Controller Review - Xbox One and PC

Spectra Illuminated Controller

The wired Spectra Illuminated Controller for the Xbox One and PC has 256 colors, 2 sets of lights and is adjustable.  The spectra controller is not a Microsoft product, and is made by PowerA.  Although something of an off brand, but after about 100 hours with the controller I find it to be of similar quality to the standard wireless Xbox controller.  

There are two sets of colored lights, one in each of the grips and a central light.  Each set can be adjusted separately for color and brightness.  The standard setting, and my favorite is a fading transition between each of the colors.  You can also set the lights to just one color.  The central light is very bright and even with the brightness turned all the way down, I find it a distraction, so I always leave it off. 

see video for the full effect of the lighting

The controller is connected via a 9.8 ft. USB cable.  At the end of the cable is a plug that I’m not quite sure what the purpose is.  Perhaps it is to break the connection in case of accident rather than pull the console off the shelf.

I bought the controller, because it was a few dollars cheaper than a wireless controller, and had a wired connection.  Too many times have lost my connection with a wireless controller because I have not kept the batteries charged up.

 The Spectra Illuminate controller works great with a Windows 10 PC.  I haven’t tried it on earlier operating systems, but I assume it works well with those as well.   Remember to plug the controller in before launching the game

Spectra Xbox One controller lit up.  Both grip and center lights turned on.

Update:

The left stick on my controller is somewhat sticky.  What I mean is that it takes longer to automatically return to center than it should, perhaps only 1/10 of a second, but it is still noticeable.  Right now I don't think it is  a problem, but I'm thinking it might fail in the near future.  I'll update once again if it does.

Forza 6 Friday: 1984 VW Rabbit GTI

Forza 6 1984 VW Rabbit GTI

Today I’m launching a new feature call Forza Friday. I’m just starting out in Forza 6 and I thought it would be fun to chronicle my rise through the ranks, and unlocking new cars. It would also be a change of pace from the FPS focus of this blog and my YouTube channel.

The first two races will be featuring a 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit, which is a tribute to my dad’s standard 1982 VW Rabbit.  For the GTI’s skin I picked one that would represent what most 1984 VW’s would look like today, crappy.  My in-game Rabbit GTI is white with a red primer, hood that doesn’t match and door lots of scratches.  Future videos will feature lots of other car models with good paint jobs. 

I enjoyed Forza 4 quite a lot, but like most people I just skipped Forza 5 which was low on content. I’m looking forward to unlocking the Jaguar F type.  This is the car I lust after in real life, but for this first video we start with the VW

For eposode two its the Fiat Abarth

Is EA Access Worth It?

Origin has a deal called EA Access for Xbox One where you pay $4.99 per month for a subscription and get access to EA games in the "Vault" and you also get access to trial version of their Xbox One games.  Many wonder whether this is a good deal or not, and that all depends on how you play games.  Chances are you won't find it worth, but I have so far.  EA Access is not available for the PS4, because Sony said it was not a good deal. 

If you only like to play the newest games you can stop reading right now, because nearly all the games currently available were released two or more years ago.  Sure you can get free trials, but if your paying a total $60 a year those trials aren't all that free.

If you don't mind games that are a few years old, and especially if you don't have the $60-70 it costs for most current gen Xbox One games then the Origin Access begins to look a little better.  

The best thing about Origin Access is you can quit any time!

If you had to be locked into an entire year I would say its not worth trying, but $5 for a month isn't much of a risk.  It is nice to know I can dump it if I get tired of the games that are available.  

Games in the Vault

Before you subscribe take a good look at the video game titles available in vault.   Since most of these games are a few years old they can now be found from multiple sources for well bellow their pre-order prices.  For instance if you think you'll only play Battlefield 4 and Titan Fall you could pay $60 a year for an Origin Access subscription or get both for total of $40 and you will have overpaid in today's market. 

EA claims that is constantly adding games to the vault.  I wonder if that is true, because there are not that many games in the vault compared to the number of titles EA has published over the years. 

EA Access is Worth It (for some)

Battlefield 4 is available on EA Access

 

If multiple titles in the vault are of interest to you and you don't mind play some excellent games from a few years ago than EA Access is a good deal.  Those are the two major reasons to subscribe or to look elsewhere for your games.  

NOTE: This program is nearly the same as Origin Access for PC, and to be honest much of this is copied and pasted from that blog post I wrote.