time stop if no one in server

[Rixshaw]

Is there a way to have the game stop if no one is on the server. I want to play with a few friends but we can not be on every day. We play PVE in one clan.

[Auric Carnage]

https://lmgtfy.app/?q=pause+mod+ark+server <---- "Let me google that for you" link

Additional links for casual viewing:

https://survivetheark.com/index.php?/forums/topic/321606-how-to-pause-a-dedicated-server-game/

https://arkservermanager.freeforums.net/thread/5188/pausing-server-complications

https://steamcommunity.com/app/346110/discussions/0/530646715636707933/

https://www.reddit.com/r/playark/comments/4qagzp/stoppause_server_when_empty/

https://arkids.net/command/setglobalpause

If you want more, click the first link. I investigated how that amusing little "app" works and found results not yielded in my initial search.

[melsy]

Does everyone in the server have admin acces?

[Auric Carnage]

Originally posted by melsy:

Does everyone in the server have admin acces?

One of the links did mention that without admin access it's impossible to pause or unpause the server. Other links mention it not working at all. Prior to my dumping of links, I'd considered suggesting they simply shut down the server. I decided not to because unless their friends also had access to the box or rcon to a rented server, there would be no way to start/stop it when they'd like to play.

Those are the only dilemmas though. Overcoming them is the OP's solution.

[melsy]

Yeah that is where I was going as well. RCON can work but pausing when no one is in, is not an automated kinda thing. The main issue with shutting off is the fact that it takes about 5-15 mins to show back up. During this time, if you are in the "Wild" you are vulnerable.
Here is what I suggest, play the game like it was supposed to be. Build lots of small 9x9 stone outposts everywhere, so people can go to one when they want to get off. I run three servers and since the first time I played, This is what I do. On the island, I had about thirty 2x2 "warm-up" cabins in the north section that all beds, fire, and storage. These were used when I needed to get somewhere, or needed to log out quickly.
You can definitely shut the serer down while people are sleeping, But an admin user will have to start it back up.

[jexadox]

personally i liked having a PVE server w/friends that didn't pause. with feed troughs and generators you quickly get to a point that dinos don't starve for months. And we all watched out for eachother's dinos and stuff.

with no pause it means u can plant some crops one day, play a few hours, and come back a few days later and they are mature. single player always feels like the crops grow so stinkin slowly, and pause every time u log.

[Auric Carnage]

Originally posted by jexadox:

personally i liked having a PVE server w/friends that didn't pause. with feed troughs and generators you quickly get to a point that dinos don't starve for months. And we all watched out for eachother's dinos and stuff.

with no pause it means u can plant some crops one day, play a few hours, and come back a few days later and they are mature. single player always feels like the crops grow so stinkin slowly, and pause every time u log.

With a few utility and QoL mods I'd found the experience was entirely overhauled for the better. A stack mod for instance can greatly extend the quantity of a food supply. I was always wandering around on rafts when I'd played; Never really got into taming huge dino's. An Immersive Taming mod promised passive tames and interactions beyond babysitting catatonic creatures. Apparently, large carnivores could be challenged using trophies and then fought for the right of friendship or something. Turning the server off might not be necessary with the addition of a few modifications.