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  3. Community Crunch 411: An Update on Shastasauraus and More!

Community Crunch 411: An Update on Shastasauraus and More!


With the launch of the Center Map just around the corner on June 4th, we wanted to share some insight about the Shastasauraus and how its design evolved during the development process. The Shasta, and namely its saddle, is one of the more ambitious designs we’ve done, and the team really enjoyed the challenge!

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Two key areas we had to resolve related to making sure the Saddle actually functioned like a submarine (i.e. keeping water out while the creature moves, etc.) and how players and creatures moved inside of the sub itself. The first challenge required both a shift in the overall design of the saddle and a tech solution, as we learned pretty quickly that having it on top of the creature wasn’t going to be viable, so we had to redesign it to be under the Shasta instead. This change allowed us to ensure that we could keep the water outside of the saddle at all times and also eliminated the edge cases relating to the submarine being partially submerged. Tackling player and creature movement was purely a technology-driven solution, we rewrote some of the basing code – the logic that relates to what characters are standing (based) on – of Unreal when in different physics modes like falling and jumping, essentially creating a new basing system specifically when based inside of the new saddle.

This was definitely one of the more challenging creatures we've designed, so please excuse us for geeking out a little bit! So now you’ve heard the ins and outs of how we tamed the mighty Shastasaurus and its sub-aquatic saddle, it’s your turn next! We can't wait to see you all cruising the seas in Shasta-style on June 4.


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Download & play new custom content created by players, including new maps, creatures, items, and game modes, through a dedicated new Mod-bowser directly within the game. Enjoy an endless stream of new ARK content as the creativity and talent of the community is fully unleashed for the first time across gaming platforms and stay tuned as we spotlight more Cross-Platform Mods each week!

This video features:
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Dive into the depths of ARK with the incredible new Livyatan mod! Available now on Steam and Xbox and coming to Playstation (with the launch of Premium Mods).
  • Unleash the Livyatan: This massive toothed whale is a force to be reckoned with. We'll cover its unique abilities, from bone-crushing bites to sonic blasts, and how to make the most of them in battle.
  • Master the Sound Pad: Taming a Livyatan is no easy task, but we'll guide you through the minigames and sound waves needed to win its trust. Get ready for a symphony of survival!
  • Craft and Conquer: Explore the custom crafting mechanics and build powerful saddles, weapons, and armor to make your Livyatan unstoppable. Prepare for epic underwater battles!
  • Face the Alpha Livyatan: Gather your Dino army and dive into the depths to face the ultimate challenge: the Alpha Livyatan boss. Claim valuable resources and unlock advanced technology!

Conquest servers are being introduced to ARK: Survival Ascended by Snail Games. Conquest is a new PvP player experience for PC players which focuses on large-scale PvP while avoiding the problem of mega tribes. Increased rates will allow tribes to set up and establish themselves quickly and enable them to rebuild after potential losses instead of being wiped completely. The official date will be announced soon, so stay tuned!
If you need any support during the Conquest season, join the Conquest Enforcement's Discord.
  • 5x XP, Harvesting, Taming, and Breeding (imprint, maturation, hatch/gestation)
  • 0.5x Mating Interval
  • Tribes are set to 50 players max
  • Tribe alliances are allowed
  • Servers have a maximum player count of 75
More details to come!


On April 8th, we deployed a new type of server across the network (for the various game types) that we refer to as "Expire" (which is what you can search for in the session filter).

These servers will be online until 10 am PST / 1 pm EST on June 1st. We're preemptively using our allocation for The Center to host some additional sessions that players can travel onto to farm, tame, and experience the Scorched Earth Gameplay. The same transfer restrictions apply in that you are only able to download your character, but you can freely take anything off. This is to help reduce load off some of the other servers, or provide players an option for those who just want to jump onto Scorched Earth temporarily.

Please note that these servers will no longer exist after 10 am PST / 1 pm EST on June 1st, so if you intend to use them, remember to transfer your items/creatures/characters off before that date, as nothing will be saved beyond that time period.

For the full list of the Expire servers, click here.

ARKpocalypse servers have been wiped today!
What are ARKpocalypse servers?
  • ARKpocalypse are monthly-wipe servers with higher than usual rates.
  • Next wipe: June 21st, 2024
You can join them by searching in the server browser! Happy Surviving!

This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until Tuesday, May 28.

  • PVP/PVE: 2x Harvesting, Taming, and Experience, and Breeding
  • Small Tribes: 4.5x Harvesting, Taming, and Experience + 4x Breeding
  • ARKpocalypse: 5x Harvesting, Taming and Experience, and Breeding


Fan Art Gallery | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form

Help us discover your talent by tagging your art with #ARKPhotoMode or #ARKFanart on social media!




Creator: Evo
Evo made a comprehensive and quick beginner's guide to the Xiphactinus!
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Creator: KiahOnFire
Watch Monarchy Season 5's finale, featuring an award ceremony, an epic battle, and a cinematic ending!
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Part 9 of Drawing Every Dino Dossier by cascadingcaramel


Another realistification in 3D by @SirDripstein


I am the biggest source of gladiatrix fan art! by gman2006


Icarus the Phoenix by penguinlover583


Mei X Diana is the best ship ever and you can't change my mind by @laind004


Fasolasuchus Ark by Spinogamer66


The Reaper by vertigoxxxx




My tribemate took me over to see an easter egg in Scorched today by beth.s


Photo mode is a bit tricky but definitely fun once u figure it out! by skippyskiddo


Photo Mode by meatymusty


A frozen base for summer by @oz3ark


Good color by @AoiShibafu_ARK


Enjoy your weekend!
Studio Wildcard

Twitter: twitter.com/survivetheark

Discord: discord.com/invite/playark

Reddit: reddit.com/r/playark

Instagram: instagram.com/survivetheark

Twitch: twitch.tv/survivetheark

Steam: steamcommunity.com/app/346110

Youtube: youtube.com/survivetheark

Facebook: facebook.com/survivetheark

Threads: threads.net/@survivetheark

Official Wiki: ark.wiki.gg


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