v2.0

Release Update:

• Added a Docker-based version of the script (ark_docker_manager.sh) for containerized management of ARK server instances. Dependencies are now externalized via Docker containers, with server data stored in mounted volumes to enable seamless switching between scripts.
• Updated both scripts to ensure compatibility with ARK's latest update utilizing Unreal Engine 5.5. GE-Proton has been upgraded to the latest version for optimal performance.
• Completely revised README with improved structure, clearer instructions, and added images for better usability.
• Fixed a bug in the Docker manager (ark_docker_manager.sh) causing unexpected behavior.
• Corrected several minor issues that previously led to script crashes or unexpected errors.

The usage of both scripts remains identical: commands, instance creation, backups, and restarts are interchangeable. For simplicity, the README primarily addresses ark_instance_manager.sh. Docker users should simply substitute ark_docker_manager.sh following the same instructions.

Full Changelog: v1.3...v2.0

v1.3

This release focuses on streamlining the configuration process for automated server restarts and introducing various quality-of-life enhancements for managing ARK server instances. Key changes include integrating Restart Manager configuration into the main ARK Server Manager menu, refining instance management, and improving reliability and flexibility.

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Key Changes

1. Integrated Restart Manager Configuration

• New "Configure Restart Manager" menu option in the main script.
  • Users can now configure automated restarts from the interactive menu, eliminating the need for manual edits.
  • Allows selection of server instances, setting announcement times/messages, and scheduling daily restarts.
  • When scheduling restarts, the script removes any existing cron lines referencing ark_restart_manager.sh to prevent duplicates, then adds a fresh entry.

2. Refined Instance Management for Restart Configuration

• Updated list_instances to dynamically gather available instances into an array.
  • This enables a clear, user-friendly instance selection process during Restart Manager setup.

3. Enhanced Base Server Update Logic

• Update Skipping: Skips base server updates if any server instance is running, providing clear feedback to ensure safe operation.

4. Improved Shutdown Handling

• Timeout Mechanism: If a server does not stop within 30 seconds of a graceful shutdown attempt, it is forcefully terminated.

5. Flexible RCON Configuration

• Configurable RCON_SCRIPT: Replaced static references to rcon.py with a variable, allowing more adaptable server setups.

6. Dependency Management Improvements

• Cron Detection: Enhanced check_dependencies() to detect and suggest Cron installation for major Linux distributions (Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE, and Arch).

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Additional Fixes and Optimizations

• Restart Manager Config Adjustment: Moved start_wait_time from the "Configuration Starts Here" section into the main script logic to prevent user misconfiguration while maintaining functionality.
• Single Entry Fix: Resolved an issue where the restart manager incorrectly handled a single announcement_times entry.
• Verbose RCON Debugging: Added comprehensive debug logs in rcon.py for better visibility into RCON operations.

v1.2

Enhancements:

Custom RCON Client (rcon.py)

• Developed a new custom RCON client (rcon.py), specifically designed for the ARK Instance Manager to better align with its unique requirements. Key features include:
  • Silent Mode: Suppress unnecessary connection details with the --silent flag.
  • Interactive Console: Allows users to send multiple commands in an interactive session.
  • Robust Parsing: Processes multiple RCON packets per response, ignoring irrelevant KEEP_ALIVE messages for cleaner output.
  • Debug Mode: Includes a --debug flag for detailed output during troubleshooting.
  • Error Handling: Provides meaningful error messages for login failures, timeouts, and connection issues.

Server Shutdown Process

• Updated stop_server() for improved shutdown handling:
  • Validates RCON response for the DoExit command to ensure graceful server termination.
  • Automatically falls back to forced shutdown if the graceful process fails or times out.

Improved Script Accessibility

• Added a setup_symlink function to streamline script usage by creating user-friendly symlinks.

Executable Checks

• Introduced check_executables() to verify that required files (rcon.py, ark_restart_manager.sh, ark_instance_manager.sh) are executable, reducing operational errors.

Bug Fixes:

Colored Output

• Fixed color formatting issues to enhance script readability during execution.

Documentation:

README Overhaul

• Completely rewrote the README to make it clearer and more organized:
  • Improved structure for easier navigation.
  • Simplified instructions to enhance user understanding and accessibility.
  • Added detailed examples and explanations to help users set up and manage their servers effectively.

v1.1

Enhancements:

• Port Handling for ASA:

  • Updated start_server() to use separate parameters for ports:
    • -Port=$GAME_PORT
    • -QueryPort=$QUERY_PORT
    • -RCONPort=$RCON_PORT
  • Replaced the outdated ?Port=... syntax with the new required format for ARK: Survival Ascended.
  • Adjusted load_instance_config() to correctly parse port settings using ^Port=, ^QueryPort=, and ^RCONPort= for more robust configuration management.

• Improved Compatibility:

  • Updated PROTON_VERSION to GE-Proton9-21 for enhanced compatibility and performance.

Bug Fixes:

• Max Players Setting:

  • Resolved an issue where the MaxPlayers setting was not applied correctly. The parameter ?MaxPlayers=... was replaced with -WinLiveMaxPlayers.

• Server Name Conflict:

  • Added a trailing space to the SessionName parameter in start_server() to prevent conflicts when the instance name matches the server name.

• Instance Management:

  • Updated start_all_instances():
    • Skips wait time if an instance fails to start due to conflicts.
    • Ensures the script returns to the main menu instead of terminating in edge cases.

v1.0

Major update to ARK Server Manager: Backup, custom parameters, and usability improvements

New Features:

• Added backup and restore functionality (backup_instance_world, restore_backup_to_instance) with CLI and menu integration.
• Introduced CustomStartParameters for more flexible instance configurations.
• Added port duplication checks to prevent conflicts before starting servers.

Usability Improvements:

• Reorganized main menu for logical grouping and better navigation.

v0.9

• Added warning about unique SaveDir naming
• Removed duplicate echo statements
• Added SaveWorld before server shutdown to prevent data loss
• Made minor corrections and improved consistency across the script.
• Removed save_world function from ark_restart_manager.sh script, now handled by main script's stop_server function

v0.8

• Remove erroneous ||true from load_instance_config command
• Refine instance deletion prompt: Require 'CONFIRM' to proceed
• Modified edit_instance_config function to create an empty Game.ini file if it doesn't exist
• Implement editing of GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini in instance menu
• Added select_editor() function to centralize editor selection logic.
• Introduced edit_configuration_menu() to allow users to choose which configuration file to edit within the instance management menu.
• Made minor corrections and improved consistency across the script.
• Added ASCII art to visually separate the configuration section in ark_restart_manager.sh

v0.7

Enhance check_dependencies() function for improved compatibility and user experience

• Add support for multiple package managers (apt-get, zypper, dnf, pacman)
• Implement distribution-specific dependency checks
• Expand the list of dependencies for each supported system
• Introduce user interaction for handling missing dependencies
• Add option to suppress dependency warnings in future runs
• Provide detailed, distribution-specific installation instructions
• Implement colorized output for improved readability
• Add error handling for unsupported package managers
• Introduce a configuration file for storing user preferences

Additional enhancements:

• Introduce change_instance_name() function for renaming server instances
• Improve user interaction with 'cancel' option in various functions
• Enhance server management capabilities with stop/start functionality during instance renaming
• Update instance configuration files automatically upon changes
• Add support for managing save directories during instance renaming operations

v0.6

Improve error handling and add server state checks for start, stop, and RCON operations

• Added set -e to enforce better error handling throughout the script and Adjusted a few functions
• Updated start_server, stop_server, and send_rcon_command functions to check if the instance is already running before proceeding.
• Adjusted start_all_instances and stop_all_instances to incorporate the running state check, skipping instances that are already in the desired state.

v0.5

Delete asamanager.sh