Best way to download ARK

[Safir]

Hi, I need help with how to download and install ARK. I have bought a new PC where
I have one Samsung PM961 SSD 256GB M.2 NVMe and a Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5'' HDD. Windows is running from the SSD.
I want to download The Island, Scorched Earth, Ragnarok and Aberration. What is the best way to download and install it?

[Lori37]

well, since you don't have that much room on your SSD (why didn't you pick up a 500gb one?), you'll probably have to install it on the HDD, since ARK is still growing in size

[Harl Blabberhoof]

Download and install steam, look at your library (if you already bought Ark and the needed DLCs, if not, do so) and click on the install button, click through the boxes and look happily at the bytes trickling in and forming a playable game.

As for choosing a place for your steam library... my Ark install (all DLCs, some mods) is 135GB at the moment. Performance-wise your SSD would be the top notch space for storing Ark (I got it running from a NVMe M.2 SSD myself - yay for loading times), but you also got to keep in mind that Windows is on the same space and (if not manually changed by you) also ALL the programs. You might run out of space on that SSD pretty quick.

I'd suggest you create a steam library on the 3TB harddisk and define it as standard and create a second library on your ssd for games you want to load FAST (Steam Settings -> Downloads -> Steam Library Folders). You can move Steam games from one library to the other easily by Righ click on the game -> Properties -> Local Files -> Move Install Folder.

[Safir]

I have already installed ARK on my ssd. I did not really think about when I installed it .. I'm not so good with PC .. Do I have to uninstall ARK and steam and install it on the HDD in stead?

[Safir]

Is there a way to keep what I have already saved? I have come to lvel 26 on one map

[Harl Blabberhoof]

Nope, you can keep steam and ark installed, simply add another library on the 3TB HDD and move whatever you want to that disk (as described in my post above).

[Safir]

When you write a library, Do you mean that I have to install Steam on the HDD? Sorry that I'm not so good with PC ..

[Harl Blabberhoof]

Simply go Steam -> Settings -> Downloads -> Steam Library Folders -> Add Library Folder -> Choose the 3 TB drive (D: or something, depending on your system), then click on the new library folder with the right mouse button and choose "Make default folder". All your NEW installed steam games will go to that harddrive.

And all the already installed games (you don't need to redownload them!) you can move via right click on the game -> Properties -> Local Files -> Move Install Folder.

No worries, it's not rocket science, just try it.

[Safir]

I do not have anything called Local Files -> Move Install Folder.
Do you mean that I have to right click ARK on my desktop?

[Harl Blabberhoof]

No, in your Steam library, there's a list of (installed) games on the left. Click on the name of the game in the list with the right mouse button and then there's "Properties". Inside properties there's a tab "Local Files" ... and so on...

[Safir]

Silly me..Now I found it :) Thank you for your kindness and help :)