Where to find the incubation time setting

Incubation time in ARK is controlled through the server settings, not through anything you do in-game. If you are playing on a server you own or rent, you change it in the GameUserSettings.ini file or through your hosting provider's control panel. If you are playing on someone else's server, you cannot change this setting — only the server owner can.

The setting you are looking for is called EggHatchSpeedMultiplier. By default it is set to 1.0, which means eggs take their normal time to hatch. Raising this number makes eggs hatch faster; lowering it makes them hatch slower.

Key Takeaways

  • Incubation time is a server-wide setting that only the server owner can change, not something individual players control in-game.
  • The setting is called EggHatchSpeedMultiplier and lives in GameUserSettings.ini or your hosting provider's admin panel.
  • A multiplier of 2.0 makes eggs hatch twice as fast; 0.5 makes them hatch half as fast.
  • Changes take effect after you restart the server, and they explore to all players on that server.

Changing the setting on a private server you host locally

If you are running ARK on your own computer, navigate to your ARK installation folder. The path is usually something like C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ARK\ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer on Windows, or the equivalent on Mac or Linux.

Open GameUserSettings.ini in a text editor like Notepad. Search for the line that says EggHatchSpeedMultiplier. If it does not exist, you can add it under the [/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode] section. Change the number to whatever you want — for example, EggHatchSpeedMultiplier=2.0 will make eggs hatch twice as fast. Save the file, then restart your server for the change to take effect.

Changing the setting through a hosting provider

If you rent a server from a hosting company like Nitrado, G-Portal, or GameServers, log into your control panel on their website. Look for a section called "Game Settings," "Advanced Settings," or "Configuration." Most providers have a search function — type "EggHatchSpeedMultiplier" to find it quickly.

Enter the multiplier value you want, save the settings, and restart the server. The hosting provider will handle the file changes for you. The restart usually takes a few minutes, and players will be kicked off during that time.

Understanding multiplier numbers and what they mean

The multiplier works like this: 1.0 is the default speed. A multiplier of 2.0 makes eggs hatch twice as fast, so a 9-day egg becomes roughly 4.5 days. A multiplier of 0.5 makes eggs hatch half as fast, so a 9-day egg becomes roughly 18 days.

Most players who want faster breeding use multipliers between 2.0 and 10.0. Some servers set it much higher — 50.0 or 100.0 — to make eggs hatch in minutes instead of days. There is no "correct" number; it depends on what your server wants. If you are unsure, start with 2.0 and adjust from there.

What happens after you change the setting

The change applies only to eggs that hatch after the server restarts. Eggs that were already incubating will keep their original hatch time. If you want all eggs to use the new speed, you will need to destroy the old ones and lay new ones after the restart.

The setting affects all players on the server equally. You cannot set different hatch speeds for different tribes or players — it is a server-wide rule.

Related settings that affect breeding

Incubation time is only one part of breeding speed. You may also want to adjust EggIncubationSpeedMultiplier, which controls how fast the incubation meter fills (this is different from hatch speed). There is also BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier, which controls how fast baby dinosaurs grow into adults, and BabyFoodConsumptionSpeedMultiplier, which controls how fast they eat.

If you want to speed up the entire breeding process, you will likely want to change all of these. The default for each is 1.0. Raising them all to 2.0 or 3.0 is a common choice for servers that want faster breeding without making it when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change incubation time on a server I do not own?

No. Only the server owner or an admin with the right permissions can change server settings. If you want a different hatch speed, you will need to ask the server owner to change it or find a different server that has the speed you prefer.

What if I change the multiplier and nothing happens?

Make sure you saved the GameUserSettings.ini file and restarted the server. If you are using a hosting provider, check that the change was actually saved in their control panel — sometimes the interface does not update when ready. Wait a few minutes after restart before testing.

Will changing incubation time affect eggs that are already hatching?

No. Eggs that were already incubating when you made the change will finish at their original speed. Only new eggs laid after the server restarts will use the new multiplier.

Is there a maximum multiplier I should not go above?

Technically no, but extremely high multipliers (like 1000.0) can cause eggs to hatch so fast that the server struggles to process it. Most servers stay between 1.0 and 100.0. If you go very high, test it with one egg first to make sure it works smoothly.

Do I need to change any other settings to make breeding faster?

Changing EggHatchSpeedMultiplier alone will make eggs hatch faster, but babies will still take a long time to grow. If you want truly fast breeding, also raise BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier and lower BabyFoodConsumptionSpeedMultiplier so they do not starve while growing.