Okay, sorry it is taking me so long to get back to this thread, I work 8-5 and kids just started back to school. I got a reply from WC/SG, I will post it below. It looks like the issue with survivors is in fact intentional.
Greetings Survivor,
Thank you for contacting Studio Wildcard Customer Support. We're very sorry to hear that you're having an issue with the your save. It is intended that no .arkprofile data is provide as it provide sensitive information. Please make sure that you are using the command lines, this should resolve the issue.
https://survivetheark.com/index.php?%2Fserver-backups%2F
Steam: Library > Right-click on ARK: Survival Evolved > Properties > General Tab > Launch Options and paste this command line: -newsaveformat -usestore
Epic Game Store: Library > ARK Survival Evolved > Click the [...] > Toggle on Launch Options >Paste in this command line: -newsaveformat -usestore
Sincerely,
GM Remy
Studio Wildcard
http://www.studiowildcard.com
I have rented server space on Nitrado, I cannot figure how to make those launch options work. If I use the direct server transfer function in Nitrado, I cannot access any of the files. (This means when I can't afford to pay for the server, I can't "save state" until I can afford it again) So I took the server offline, and used the FTP to put my downloaded server up there. There's still no option for those launch options, and I feel way out of my depth (I'm a manufacturing guy, not a computer guy).
The server is still not started, as I sort of need some help to figure out what I'm supposed to be doing - I haven't even gotten as far as making the 3rd admin command (takealldino, takeallstructure, maketribefounder) that Nitrado suggested as a workaround, to work for me. If someone is available in about 24 hours (my Friday night) I will have time to try and figure it out. I made a discord server just for the Nitrado server, https://discord.gg/PxbzsxkkGG
Otherwise, I am certainly open to suggestions from here, or private messages, whatever. It looks like there will need to be some sort of workaround for me to keep playing, and one of the things I have liked best about the game is to have other people online while I play. It's only PVE-theIsland47, but I would love to have others join - once I can figure out how to get it working right for me.