Pre-Aquatica Setup for ARK: Survival Evolved

Many players of ARK: Survival Evolved are choosing to roll back to the Pre-Aquatica version ever since the release of the DLC. The latest update has caused various issues, such as mod incompatibility, leading some players to rollback versions – returning to a more stable build. The Pre-Aquatica version is more stable and reverses many of these problems. With this in mind, we’ll show you how to play ASE before the Aquatica update in this Nitrado guide.

Installing Pre-Aquatica on Steam

1. Open Steam and locate ARK: Survival Evolved in your Library.
2. Select “Properties” by right-clicking on the game, then click “Betas” on the left.



3. Choose the “ASE : Pre-Aquatica” option for Beta Participation.



4. Steam will begin downloading the selected build.
5. Once the update finishes, launch ARK: Survival Evolved to play on this version.

Installing Pre-Aquatica on Servers

1. Head towards your Nitrado Web Interface and stop your server.
2. Navigate to Settings > General on the left-hand side of your screen.



3. Locate “Use Pre-Aquatica Version” in the options, then toggle it.



4. Click “Save Changes” at the bottom, then start up the server.

ASE Rollback Benefits

Rolling back to the Pre-Aquatica build has several key advantages:

• ✅ Mod Compatibility: Most community mods were broken by the Aquatica patch. Pre-Aquatica ensures full compatibility with Dino Storage V2, S+, and more.
• ✅ Better Stability: Aquatica introduced widespread crashes, bugs, and performance issues. The Pre-Aquatica version is considered far more stable.
• ✅ No Forced Changes: Stay in control of your gameplay experience without dealing with surprise mechanics or visual overhauls.

Pre-Aquatica Version FAQ

Can I downgrade to other versions on my ASE server?

No, Nitrado does not support rolling back to other versions besides Pre-Aquatica.

Would I be able to switch back to the latest version of ASE?

Yes, you can select “None” from the Beta Participation option via Steam. This will automatically begin downloading the latest version of the game, removing the previous version.

Pre-Aquatica update VS latest version?

Pre-Aquatica offers better mod compatibility and stability for custom experiences. The latest version includes new content from the Aquatica update, but some setups may need time to fully support it. Choose based on whether you prioritize mods or new official features.

ARK: Survival Evolved – Before Aquatica

Whenever updates are released for a game, there is a risk of bugs and issues. In the case of Aquatica for ARK: Survival Evolved, there were too many problems and the community reacted promptly with concerns. Due to this, an official beta was opened for the Pre-Aquatica version of the game. This helped players revert to a stable build of ASE, especially helping those with many mods. Hopefully in the future, developers will begin making their mods support the latest version so many players do not have to downgrade versions.