ARK: Survival Ascended News

[p]​[/p][p]2025 was a huge year for ARK: Survival Ascended. From epic new maps to creatures inspired by the community and massive expansions, players got to explore, tame, and battle like never before. This post rounds up some of the highlights– some coming straight from Wildcard, others brought to life by the community’s creativity.[/p][p] [/p][p]  [/p][p]February 7, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]It’s Morphin’ time![/p][p] [/p][p]Suit up and morph into legends with the iconic looks of the Green Ranger and White Ranger, or embrace your dark side as the nefarious Lord Zedd, Rita Repulsa, and more. And, once you're worthy, show off your zordplay by conquering the King Titan as a towering Megazord![/p][p] [/p][p]Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Wave 2 [/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]   [/p][hr][/hr][p] [/p][p][/p][p]February 13, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]A grand mythic journey begins[/p][p] [/p][p]Explore and survive in a land of colossal proportions, steeped in Greek mythology. Nekatus’ original map offers a narrative-rich journey with vast biomes, towering temples, and mythological encounters.[/p][p] [/p][p]Astraeos on Steam  [/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p] [/p][hr][/hr][p] [/p][p]March 26, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]The animated series comes to life[/p][p] [/p][p]Deck out your Survivors and creatures with 109 vibrant costumes inspired by ARK: The Animated Series. Iconic characters, creatures, and styles carried the spirit of the show into every ARK adventure.[/p][p] [/p][p]ARK Animated Series Costumes Pack[/p][p]   [/p][p]March 26, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]The mighty Deinotherium stomps its way into ARK[/p][p] [/p][p]From the ARK: Additions mod by Garuga, this giant towers over even the largest mammoths, ready to dominate the open plains.[/p][p] [/p][p]ARK Additions on CurseForge[/p][p]   [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]  [/p][hr][/hr][p] [/p][p]April 1, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]We let the cat out of the bag![/p][p] [/p][p]Whether you see cats as unpredictable little goblins or as fuzzy little fiends, no one is surprised that they have survived (and thrived) beyond the end of the world. Maybe what's more surprising is that survivors still want to tame them after all.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Sorry, mine just walked on my keyboaaaggggko;;;;.[/p][p] [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]   [/p][hr][/hr][p]   [/p][p]June 19, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]The legend returns, reborn[/p][p] [/p][p]Journey through a massive 144 square kilometer world where elements of The Island, Scorched Earth, and all-new biomes combine to deliver the ultimate survival experience. Ragnarok Ascended reintroduced a fan-favorite map with enhanced visuals and renewed danger.[/p][p]   [/p][p]Technical Milestones[/p][p] [/p][p]Unreal Engine 5.5 brought improved performance, stability, and visual fidelity. We also added optional map downloads to save space and introduced features like single-player backups and performance-focused graphics settings[/p][p] [/p][p]Looking ahead, Unreal Engine 5.7, planned for early 2026, targets further framerate and rendering improvements, particularly in dense foliage and high-activity areas. Players can expect smoother performance, denser environments, and the foundation for exciting new content across ARK: Survival Ascended![/p][p] [/p][p]Ragnarok Ascended on Steam[/p][p]  [/p][p]June 19, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]The Bison shakes up the earth of Ragnarok[/p][p] [/p][p]After dealing with an endless parade of mutants, monsters, and elemental nightmares, there’s something oddly comforting about a good old-fashioned angry Bison.[/p][p] [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][hr][/hr][p] [/p][p][/p][p]June 19, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]Fantastic new companions take flight[/p][p] [/p][p]Four miniature dragons, each tied to a season with distinct abilities and tactical utility. Playful companions enhance traversal, combat, and exploration.[/p][p] [/p][p]Included in Lost Colony Expansion Pack[/p][p] [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p] [/p][hr][/hr][p] [/p][p][/p][p]August 29, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]Community creativity, made official.[/p][p] [/p][p]The iconic shark Helicoprion surfaced as a free, officially integrated tame, originating from the ARK: Additions mod by Garuga.[/p][p] [/p][p]ARK Additions on CurseForge[/p][p] [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p] [/p][hr][/hr][p] [/p][p]October 7, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]Ancient echoes and brutal beauty[/p][p] [/p][p]Valguero returned as a free remastered map where medieval legend meets primeval ferocity across ten distinct biomes. Lore-rich landscapes and fresh survival challenges gave players new reasons to explore.[/p][p] [/p][p]Valguero Ascended on Steam[/p][p]  [/p][p] [/p][p]October 7, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]Something stalks the shadows...[/p][p] [/p][p]Chosen by players, the Megaraptor makes its debut on Valguero Ascended with one goal: domination. Watch your backs, Survivors. This relentless hunter is ready to claw its way to the top of the food chain.[/p][p]    [/p][p] [/p][p]October 7, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]Nature’s ancient guardian[/p][p] [/p][p]From oak and vine rises a living spirit of the forest. Using roots, totems, and Spirit Echoes, it protects allies and counters threats, blending powerful support abilities with deep lore.[/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p]Included in Lost Colony Expansion Pack[/p][p] [/p][p] [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]   [/p][hr][/hr][p] [/p][p]October 31, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]Cowabunga, Survivors[/p][p] [/p][p]Tie on your ninja masks and bring the personality of your favorite half-shelled heroes or villains into Survival Ascended. Over 40 cosmetics, weapons, voiceovers, and themed creature and vehicle skins.[/p][p] [/p][p]ARK x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles[/p][p] [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p] [/p][hr][/hr][p] December 19, 2025[/p][p] [/p][p]The first massive canonical expansion[/p][p] [/p][p]Plunge into the icy heart of darkness on Arat Prime. ARK: Lost Colony bridges the gap between Extinction and ARK 2, with a story-driven world, powerful skill trees, cursed gear tiers, Thrall armies, and a host of new creatures to discover and interact with, including companion and tameable beasts that expand your options in battle and exploration.[/p][p] [/p][p]Lost Colony on Steam[/p][p] [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p] [/p][hr][/hr][p] [/p][h3]Thank you, Survivors, for exploring every corner, taming every creature, and sharing the journey. Here’s to an even wilder 2026![/h3][h3]Happy New Year, everyone![/h3][p][/p][h3]Studio Wildcard ​[/h3]

[h3][color]As 2025 winds down, a huge thank you, Survivors. Your passion makes ARK what it is today.

We’re heading into our annual holiday break to rest and recharge with loved ones before diving into the exciting year ahead.
Don't worry, live operations and enforcement remain on duty if anything pops up while we’re away.

May your holiday season be joyful and peaceful, across every map you call home!

The Studio Wildcard team.[/color][/h3]

Hear that jingle? That’s not your Parasaur. RaptorClaus is back at midnight, dropping gift boxes packed with juicy loot… plus Mistletoe for the nice and Coal for the naughty. Survey the skies, claim the drops, and don’t trust anyone "just watching." Winter Wonderland is live, Survivors!


[center][color]Download in full resolution[/color][/center]

Deck the halls with boughs of holly! Winter Wonderland returns with new presents and goodies for ARK survivors. The epic winter-themed holiday event begins on [color]December 19, 2025[/color] and will be live until [color]January 5, 2026[/color] on Official Servers.

• Dec 19th to Jan 5th
  

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

• RaptorClaus
  • Appears at midnight (game time) on all maps
• Jerboa Sleigh
  
• Santa's Big Helper Yeti
  • Drops Coal and Mistletoe.
• Abominable Snowman
  • Drops Coal and Mistletoe.
• Pegomastax Grouch
  • Drops Coal and Mistletoe.
    
  • Steals Gift Boxes in return for a special reward.
• Wild Rideable Reindeer
  • Drops Coal and Mistletoe.
    
  • Can be fed Rockarrot and ridden for additional drop amounts.
• Gacha Claus

• RaptorClaus
  
• Hyaenadeer
  
• Chibi-Festive Bulbdog (Green)
  
• Chibi-Festive Bulbdog (Red)
  
• Chibi-Festive Featherlight (Green)
  
• Chibi-Festive Featherlight (Red)
  
• Chibi-Festive Glowtail (Green)
  
• Chibi-Festive Glowtail (Red)
  
• Chibi-Festive Shinehorn (Green)
  
• Chibi-Festive Shinehorn (Red)
  
• Chibi-Gacha Claus
  
• Chibi-Reindeer
  
• White-Collar Kairuku Chibi
  

• Mistletoe Emote [color]*NEW*[/color]
  
• Holiday Kiss Emote [color]*NEW*[/color]
  
• Happy Clap Emote
  
• Nutcracker Dance Emote
  
• Shiver Emote
  
• Snow Angel Emote
  
• Jolly Jump Emote
  
• Caroling Emote
  

• Gingerbread Structure Tileset [color]*NEW*[/color]
  
  • Structures
    
  • Seats [color]*NEW*[/color]
    
    • Gingerbread Chair [color]*NEW*[/color]
      
    • Gingerbread Bench [color]*NEW*[/color]
      
    • Gingerbread Table [color]*NEW*[/color]
• Festive Decorations
  
  • Gumdrop [color]*NEW*[/color]
    
  • Snowflake [color]*NEW*[/color]
    
  • Snowman [color]*NEW*[/color]
    
  • Gingerbread man [color]*NEW*[/color]
    
  • Gingerbread Sleigh [color]*NEW*[/color]
    
  • Gingerbread Tree [color]*NEW*[/color]
    
  • Dino Cookie [color]*NEW*[/color]
    
  • Candy Cane [color]*NEW*[/color]
    
  • Lolipop Prop [color]*NEW*[/color]
    
• Candycane Lamp [color]*NEW*[/color]
  
• Gingerbread Storagebox [color]*NEW*[/color]
  
• Peppermint Rug [color]*NEW*[/color]
  
• Hot Cocoa Beer Barrel [color]*NEW*[/color]
  
• Gingerbread Tribe Tower [color]*NEW*[/color]
  
• Christmas Tree Ghillie Suit Set Skin [color]*NEW*[/color]
  
• Blue-Ball Winter Beanie Skin
  
• Candy Cane Club Skin
  
• Christmas Bola Skin
  
• Dino Ornament Swimsuit Skins
  
• Felt Reindeer Antlers Skin
  
• Gray-Ball Winter Beanie Skin
  
• Green-Ball Winter Beanie Skin
  
• HLN-A Winter Beanie Skin
  
• Jerboa Wreath Swimsuit Skins
  
• Megaloceros Reindeer Costume
  
• Noglin Regift Winter Beanie Skin
  
• Noglin Swimsuit Skins
  
• Nutcracker Slingshot Skin
  
• Purple-Ball Winter Beanie Skin
  
• Purple-Ball Winter Beanie Skin (Winter Wonderland 5)
  
• Raptor Sleighing Winter Beanie Skin
  
• Red-Ball Winter Beanie Skin
  
• Santa Costume Skin
  
• Santa Hat Skin
  
• Snowy Winter Beanie Skin
  
• Ugly Carno Sweater Skin
  
• Ugly Chibi Sweater Skin
  
• Ugly Bronto Sweater Skin
  
• Ugly Bulbdog Sweater Skin
  
• Ugly Caroling Sweater Skin
  
• Ugly Noglin Regift Sweater Skin
  
• Ugly Raptor Claws Sweater Skin
  
• Ugly Rockwell Sweater Skin
  
• Ugly T-Rex Sweater Skin
  
• Yeti Swimsuit Skins
  
• Full-body Krampus Costume Player Character Skin/Cosmetic
  
• Santa's Workshop Smithy Structure Skin/Cosmetic
  
• Festive Forge Structure Skin/Cosmetic
  
• Gingerbread Person Costume
  
• Snowman Hat
  
• Winter Gloves
  
• Candycane Pike Skin
  
• Candycane Spike Wall
  

• Coal
  
• Festive Dino Candy
  
• Gift Box
  
• Holiday Lights
  
• Holiday Stocking
  
• Holiday Tree
  
• Mistletoe
  
• Snowman
  
• Wreath
  

• ActualBlack
  
• Cyan
  
• DeepPink
  
• Dino Dark Purple
  
• Mint
  
• Lavender
  
• Dino Light Purple
  
• Dino Light Blue
  
• DragonGreen0
  
• Jade
  
• PineGreen
  
• SpruceGreen
  
• DarkMagenta
  
• Glacial
  
• PowderBlue
  
• Teal
  
• DarkViolet
  
• Red
  
• Green
  
• Light Grey
  
• Light Red
  
• Dark Red
  
• Dino Light Red
  
• Dino Light Green
  
• Dino Medium Green
  
• Dino Albino
  
• NearWhite
  
• Yellow
  

• From the Main Menu, select the mod tab.
  
• Search for Winter Wonderland in the ARK Mod list and install it. Mod ID: 927090
• After it's installed, go back to your game setup screen and select 'Mod Settings.'
  
• You will see Winter Wonderland and any other mods you've downloaded in 'Available Mods.'
  
• Select Winter Wonderland and activate it.
  

• If you would like to enable Winter Wonderland on your private servers, please add the mod ID to your server command-line launch arguments (-mods=modID). No other changes should be necessary to activate the event.
  Mod ID: 927090

[hr][/hr]


Survivor, the sun is setting on Arat Prime, and the war for the city has begun.

This is no longer just about survival. It is about dominion.
Three forces now clash for control of the Necrocene.
We want you to bring that conflict to life, through the lens of your chosen faction.
The Faction Art Contest begins.

Pick your side, draw your allegiance, and help your faction conquer the Lost Colony.

• Entries Open: Friday, December 19th
  
• Entries Close: Monday, January 19th
  
• Finalist & Voting Announced: Friday, January 23rd
  
• Winners Announced: Friday, January 30th
  

Choose your muse carefully. Each faction carries its own visual identity.

The Vibe: Scrappy, defiant, warm.
The Lore: You are the survivors. You do not belong here, but you refuse to die. You bring fire to the ice and technology to the ruins. You are the spark in the dark.

The Vibe: Cold, regal, gothic.
The Lore: The Lost King’s eternal army. They are the statues that watch you, and the guards that hunt you. Woven into the architecture itself, silent and deadly.

The Vibe: Twisted, alien, neon.
The Lore: Rockwell’s nightmare has leaked into the city. Spikes, tentacles, madness. They are the chaos devouring all remaining order.

• Create an original piece of art representing one of the three factions
  
• Submit your work in the #lostcolony-submissions thread on the ARK Discord
• CRITICAL: Your post must begin with the faction tag
  
  • [TRESPASSER]
    
  • [DAMNED]
    
  • [CORRUPTED]

We will select a shortlist for each faction, then open voting to the community to determine:

• Best in Class
  
  • The best artist for each individual faction. All Best-in-Class winners and runners-up will receive Lost Colony keys.
• The Grand Victor
  • The single artwork with the most votes overall decides which faction claims the Discord.
    
  • Grand Victor rewards include:
    • Server Banner: The winning artwork becomes the faction’s pinned banner for the week.
      
    • Exclusive Role: The Grand Victor receives a unique “Champion of the Lost Colony” role.
      
• The Grand Prize:
  • TOTAL DISCORD SERVER TAKEOVER!
  • The winning faction will conquer this Discord for a full week.

• Your submission must be on theme.
  
• You need to have the rights to the image you submit. No copyrighted material or artwork made by others without consent.
  
• One submission per user. No multiple submissions or submissions across multiple categories.
  
• Content must follow server rules:
  • No NSFW, derogatory, discriminatory, or disrespectful content.
    
  • PG-13 only.
    
  • No AI-generated content.

Not an artist? You can still fight for your side.

React to [color]this post[/color] with the emoji of your chosen faction in the ARK Discord to gain a special role.

The faction with the most pledges at the end of the contest will receive a special community reward.
[hr][/hr]


We’ve just rolled out a major version update alongside Lost Colony, so be sure to check out the full patch notes.
We’ve identified a memory leak on Lost Colony and the team is actively iterating on a fix, with a patch coming soon. Our LiveOps crew is closely monitoring things post-launch and working through player reports to address bugs and other issues. Your reports are helping us prioritize fixes and improvements, and we appreciate everyone who continues to share feedback.



We’re aiming to roll out a second wave of mixed Official Lost Colony servers later today, alongside a deployment to address a crash. We’ll aim to give at least thirty minutes’ notice, so keep an eye on the announcements in our Official Discord if you’re waiting on the server drop.

We’ll continue actively monitoring performance and stability, with ongoing updates aimed at improving the overall experience for players.



To meet demand for Lost Colony, we will have temporary "Expire" Official servers. These Expire servers will be online until March the 2nd 2026.

We're hosting some additional sessions that players can travel onto to farm, tame, and experience the Lost Colony 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 Lost Colony temporarily.

Please note that these servers will no longer exist after March 2nd, 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.

[hr][/hr]
[p][/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Plunge through the icy heart of darkness as you reunite with old legends, while rekindling hope for the next generation. ARK: Lost Colony bridges the gap between Extinction and ARK 2 with the most ambitious narrative experience in the franchise's history.

Find out all the details here!

[hr][/hr]

The Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until [color]Monday, January 5[/color].

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

[hr][/hr]

[center] Fan Art Gallery | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form [/center]

[color][h2]Creator: Serekai Survives[/h2][/color]
Serakai made a comprehensive overview to help you on your way to tame the new Lost Colony creatures, find the Lost Colony armor cosmetics and how to deal with all of the new mechanics.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[color][h2]Creator: The AxeMan[/h2][/color]
Axeman shows how to tame the Aureliax!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


[h2]˗ˏˋ ✸ ˎˊ˗ by @WolfTek7[/h2]


[h2]Krampus by @falco_luna[/h2]


[h2]Ark Lost Enforcer by @StudiosGoji[/h2]


[h2]The Auditor by @TekARK_01[/h2]


[h2]I kept wondering about that Gloon's ability in Lost Colony by @zondeeee730[/h2]


[h2]Merry Christmas by @ohatumuu[/h2]



[h2]Photo Mode by .missowl.[/h2]


[h2]Let's have fun at the Christmas carousel by bubu_0815[/h2]


[h2]It's not snowy everywhere at Christmas! by lolsatlance[/h2]


[h2]Photo Mode by the.handyman.builds[/h2]


[h2]Photo Mode by undead.kitten[/h2]


Enjoy your weekend!
Studio Wildcard

[color]Twitter:[/color] twitter.com/survivetheark [color]Discord:[/color] discord.com/invite/playark [color]Reddit:[/color] reddit.com/r/playark [color]Instagram:[/color] instagram.com/survivetheark [color]Twitch:[/color] twitch.tv/survivetheark [color]Steam:[/color] steamcommunity.com/app/346110 [color]Youtube:[/color] youtube.com/survivetheark [color]Facebook:[/color] facebook.com/survivetheark [color]Threads:[/color] threads.net/@survivetheark [color]Official Wiki:[/color] ark.wiki.gg

[p][/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Plunge through the icy heart of darkness as you reunite with old legends, while rekindling hope for the next generation. ARK: Lost Colony bridges the gap between Extinction and ARK 2 with the most ambitious narrative experience in the franchise's history. Your journey returns you to the beginning: Arat Prime, the site of humanity’s final stand. You awaken in the Necrocene - a brutal, post-Cataclysmic era where the Earth’s southern pole has been plunged into eternal night. Buried within the deep snow, the metropolis of the Lost Colony clings to existence beneath energy shields, powered by the radioactive warmth of Red Element. Survival here is an act of defiance against nature itself. This unnatural heat source keeps the Colony alive... only by repelling the Reseed Protocol, ensuring the Earth remains broken so that the Lost King may rule his corrupt kingdom. [/p][p][/p][p]Caught between the tyrannical order of the Lost King and the creeping, violet corruption of an old enemy, you must navigate a world of gothic horror and advanced science. From the jagged craters of the Tundra to the bioluminescent canopy of the Twilight Forest, and into the depths of the Lost City itself, every inch of the map tells a story of survival at any cost.[/p][p][/p][p]Available now on Steam and prepare for the Lost Colony.[/p][p][/p][p]Will you cling to your humanity, or will you undergo the Turning to become the monster this place demands you to be?[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The story of the Necrocene is told through new mediums:[/p]

• [p]Animated Sequences by MAPPA: Experience explosive action-packed anime cutscenes created by Japan’s acclaimed studio MAPPA, starring Michelle Yeoh as the legendary warrior, Mei-Yin.
  [/p]
• [p]Cinematic Performance Capture: Immerse yourself in emotional, high-fidelity CGI story sequences brought to life with Unreal Engine 5 Metahuman technology, starring Madeleine Madden as Helena Walker, Auli'i Cravalho as Meeka, and Karl Urban as the legendary Bob.
  [/p]
• [p]The Neural Intrusion: You are not alone in your head. As the infection spreads, the Lost King (voiced by Keith David) and Edmund Rockwell (voiced by David Tennant) will invade your thoughts, taunting your failures and commenting on your actions in real-time.
  [/p]
• [p]The Engram Codex: Unlock fully voiced character conversations by completing Lost Colony milestones. Recover battlefield Sigils to trigger JRPG-inspired dialogue sequences between Helena, Mei-Yin, Diana Altaras (voiced by Katee Sackhoff), and other characters.
  [/p]
• [p]Living Lore: Uncover the dark history of Arat Prime through fully voiced Explorer Notes and Dossiers straight from the journals of Darius Anthom (The Lost King) and the mad scientist Sir Edmund Rockwell.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

• [p]The Lost King's Dominion: Infiltrate a majestic, tiered gothic metropolis that stands as a daunting monument to the Lost King's power. Heavily guarded by the Thrall army, this dark dominion is safe for the docile and obedient, but aggression will generate Hostility, drawing the relentless attention of elite patrols.
  [/p]
• [p]The Tundra: Navigate the map's perimeter, a desolate Arctic expanse scarred with craters and debris from a large fallen ARK that crashed back to Earth.
  [/p]
• [p]Twilight Forest and Mountains: A fantasy boreal nightmare where the bioluminescent flora reacts dynamically to the Auroras overhead. As you ascend, the forest thins into craggy peaks and knife edged rocky spires.
  [/p]
• [p]The Dark Forest: A twisted, foreboding woodland that serves as the gateway to the map's more dangerous zones.
  [/p]
• [p]The Caldera: Journey into the heart of this collapsed volcanic crater. This dramatic sunken pit is the city's power core, where superheated water channels geothermal energy upward, feeding the gothic metropolis with radiant heat. At its center looms a colossal megalithic ring - a sacred ritual site consecrated by the Lost King.
  [/p]
• [p]Hot Springs: Scattered across the map, these pockets of geothermal activity provide ample water and resources. They offer a vital, warm respite for players attempting to recover from the brutal Windchill of the Necrocene.
  [/p]
• [p]Aberrant Crash Sites: Venture into hazardous toxic sludge environments where debris from the crashed Aberrant ARK has corrupted the landscape, twisting flora and fauna into radioactive nightmares and avoid the bubbling pools of corruptive liquid Edmundium.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

• [p]Veilwyn: A playful fox familiar whose presence is a rare beacon of comfort in the eternal night. This loyal companion subdues predators with a chilling cryogenic bite and creates localized wormholes to summon its pack for protection. But its true potential lies in your hands to evolve.
  [/p]
• [p]Solwyn: Witness the miraculous transformation as your Veilwyn consumes Vulpite, ascending to become the majestic Solwyn. Acting as a mobile sanctuary, it defies the cold while carrying you across glacial terrain and scaling sheer ice cliffs. Its enhanced healing factor revitalizes both mount and master in the wastes. Command its cryokinesis to forge vital ice-bridges or empower your next decisive strike with a surge of strength and speed.
  [/p]
• [p]Malwyn: Born from corruption. The Malwyn is the embodiment of malice, existing solely for threat elimination. Its very presence is a curse: it uses teleabsorptive abilities to slow regenerative processes, induce sluggishness, and weaken its prey. Unlike its benevolent cousin, the Malwyn cannot climb or forge ice-bridges; instead, it slides across the frozen wastes, vanishing and striking from afar with potent teleportation.
  [/p]
• [p]Ossidon: Weaponize the Antarctic. This monstrous primate turns sub-zero temperatures into devastating weaponry. Dominate the battlefield by spitting cryogenic spikes to slow advancing enemies, or crush them by propelling massive, rolling ice-wrecking balls. Bond with the beast to unlock a unique symbiosis: a shared affinity so profound it physically reshapes the creature, dynamically morphing its frame to match its attributes.
  [/p]
• [p]Gloon: A fever dream made manifest by the mad scientist Edmund Rockwell, this floating grotesque is a gift that carries a terrible curse. The Gloon manipulates the spectrum with terrifying precision: it can warp light to vanish into thin air or contract its bulbous ocular sacs to unleash searing laser beams. A master of trickery, wriggling its glowing pupils to mesmerize the weak-minded, but beware its spite. A single glob of its bilious spit will drive nearby Aberrations and creatures into an uncontrollable, bloodthirsty frenzy.
  [/p]
• [p]Desmodus: The master of the night returns! This terrifying vampire bat thrives in the eternal darkness of the Necrocene. Use its echolocation to hunt prey across pitch-black skies, latch onto cavern walls to ambush enemies from the shadows, and craft the potent Sanguine Elixir to enthrall even the most stubborn beasts.
  [/p]
• [p]Cryolophosaurus: Anatomy meets artillery. This predator turns the elements into ammunition, slurping up snow and water to fuel its biological cannon. Launch a volley of narcotic sludge to sedate heavy targets, or exhale a freezing mist that coats your allies in protective ice. In the heat of the hunt, the predator kicks into overdrive, igniting a hyper-metabolic trance that grants it terrifying speed and turns its jaws into instruments of bone-chilling destruction.
  [/p]
• [p]Gigadesmodus: The true king of the chiropteran skies. This colossus serves as a flying fortress, capable of hauling behemoths or a mobile command center on its back. It dominates the battlefield by raining down Red Element-infused blood to decimate foes from afar, or delivering a devastating tail execution to anyone foolish enough to challenge its reign.
  [/p]
• [p]Aureliax: A telekinetic dragon that floats with eerie grace, embodying the celestial balance of Yin and Yang. Prove your worth to this serpentine guardian to hatch it from its chrysalis, then master its duality: warp reality to protect, heal, and levitate allies, or crush enemies with gravity and death. Command the heavens with a mount whose massive coils can airlift two creatures simultaneously.
  [/p]
• [p]Thralls: The Lost King's bio-engineered workforce. Unlike wild dinos, these intelligent soldiers wield weapons, wear armor, and use personal teleporters to defend their master. Build your own legion by earning their trust in Defense Outposts or forcing their submission by raiding their strongholds in Attack Outposts, command them into battle, and even take control of them directly! Your Thralls can also be used for various essential management tasks, such as resource harvesting or base maintenance.
  [/p]
• [p]Gargoyles: Harvest them at your peril. These stone sentinels slumber as statues, but disturbing them awakens a relentless monstrosity.
  [/p]
• [p]Neophytes: Feral, bat-like abominations standing as tall as a Gigantopithecus. Acting as the city's antibodies, they descend from the shadows to purge anyone generating Hostility. Do not rely on your army to save you; these monsters possess a mutated hide nearly immune to creature attacks, forcing you to draw your own weapons and face them blade-to-claw.
  [/p]
• [p]Revenants: Twisted, mindless remnants of Thralls and Dinos that have been infected by liquid Edmundium. These purple-hued monstrosities swarm the ruins in massive hordes, overwhelming survivors with sheer numbers.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

• [p]Recruit the Damned: Choose your path to power. Earn the trust of the King's soldiers by defending them against Revenant hordes in Defense Outposts, or crush their resistance in Attack Outposts to force their submission. Whether through loyalty or fear, these soldiers join your ranks to be leveled up like any other elite creature.
  [/p]
• [p]Tactical Modes: Automate your survival with three distinct behaviors. Set Thralls to Guard Mode to patrol and defend your perimeter, Logistics Mode to automatically sort and organize your base inventories, or Harvest Mode to gather specific resources while you explore.
  [/p]
• [p]Total Possession: Assume direct control of any Thrall in your army via neural link. With no limits on range or duration, you can use their expendable lives to scout lethal territory, or equip them with your own high-tier weaponry to turn the tide of battle.
  [/p]
• [p]Class Warfare: Each Thrall belongs to a specialized combat class with distinct visuals, heavy natural armor, and a signature class weapon. While they cannot wear survivor armor, their innate resilience and firepower make them a force to be reckoned with.
  [/p]
• [p]Traits: Just like your tames, Thralls can earn unique Traits that enhance their combat performance and open deeper customization paths for your infantry.
  [/p]
• [p]Beast Riders: Thralls are trained for war, not companionship. Order these elite enforcers to seize the reins of your beasts, transforming primal creatures into disciplined war machines piloted by cold, calculating executioners.
  [/p]
• [p]Survivor Enhancements: Your leadership defines their strength. Invest in the Beastmaster skill tree to unlock passive buffs, such as Husk’s Resilience and Violence Made Manifest, which boost the damage and defense of every Thrall you command.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

• [p]Fabricated Crossbow: A high-tech twist on a classic that supports nearly every bolt, arrow, and harpoon projectile. Switch between Classic Mode for standard fire, Sniper Mode for long-range takedowns, or Shotgun Mode for crowd control.
  [/p]
• [p]Tek Spear: The ultimate melee-range hybrid. Master the flow of combat with a blink-dash to evade damage or teleport straight to your thrown weapon. Switch modes to inflict Torpor for non-lethal takedowns, or raise a defensive field that blocks strikes and deflects incoming projectiles.
  [/p]
• [p]Holo-Decoy: Deploy a holographic clone of your survivor to distract wild creatures and lure enemies into traps.
  [/p]
• [p]Bloodforge: A sinister new crafting station that can repair any item, or reinforce it beyond its maximum durability, for a price paid in blood.[/p]
• [p]War Bench: Don't throw away low-tier loot! Combine three low-quality items to forge a single, higher-tier masterpiece.
  [/p]
• [p]Medical Stand: Connect this versatile station to nearby creatures to auto-feed narcotics for simplified taming, administer stimulants or bloodpacks to restore vital stats, or drain health to generate new supply.
  [/p]
• [p]Cryo-Hospital: A Tek-tier storage unit that passively grants experience points, provides sustenance, heals, and restores consciousness for creatures stored inside Cryopods.
  [/p]
• [p]Shoulder Pet Display Stand and Companion Bed: Show off your favorite little friends! Place them on wall-mounted or standing displays where they will perform idle animations and watch passersby.
  [/p]
• [p]Plant Proto Species R: A twisted, carnivorous botanical nightmare native to the frozen wastes. While this indigenous "Meat Plant" sits silent in the gloom, it hides a deadly defense mechanism. Harvesting its resources triggers a silent alarm, instantly drawing a swarm of ravenous Revenants from the shadows.
  [/p]
• [p]Cursed Weaponry and Armor: Wield the forbidden tools of the Necrocene. These twisted variants of Fabricator and Tek-tier gear offer unprecedented customization, allowing you to equip two equipment traits simultaneously, with further lethality unlocked via the Skill Tree. However, this power demands sacrifice: these corrupted instruments cannot be repaired by standard means, instead regenerating slowly over time or demanding a blood tithe at the sinister Bloodforge.
  [/p]
• [p]TEK Bunker: The underground is now your battleground! Deploy this subterranean structure to expand your base beneath the earth, opening up a whole new underground playing field for secure storage and tactical defense.
  [/p]
• [p]Base Templating System: Revolutionize your building. Use the Template Hammer and Clipboard to save and replicate your favorite base designs, share them with friends, and snap-build entire wings of your fortress in seconds.
  [/p]
• [p]Arctic Armor: Traverse the tundra with unhindered agility. This crafted Light-Fur set provides the same vital insulation as heavy fur without the crushing weight, granting a stamina surge to survivors who equip the full set.
  [/p]
• [p]The Look of the Legion: Embrace the aesthetic of the Lost King's army. Don new Thrall-themed armor and weapon skins, outfit your tames with regimented Thrall Saddles, or vanish into the whiteout with the tactical Snow Ghillie.
  [/p]
• [p]Barracks of the Damned: Renovate your base with the Thrall Structure Tileset and a full suite of themed decor. From commanding Billboards and Signs to industrial Vaults, Storage Boxes, Lamps, and furniture, build a fortress worthy of the Necrocene.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Expand the endgame with Outpost Missions: These repeatable, dynamic encounters are more than just battles, they are choices that define your allegiance in the Necrocene.[/p]

• [p]Defense Outposts: Prove your loyalty to the crown. Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Lost King's Thralls to defend their fortresses against waves of mindless Revenants. Succeed to earn the King's favor, lowering his army's hostility towards you as his voice guides your every move from the shadows.
  [/p]
• [p]Attack Outposts: Choose defiance. Breach the fortified strongholds of the Thrall legions, destroy their command structures, and loot the King's stockpiles to fuel your rebellion.
  [/p]
• [p]Resource Caches: Secure your survival in the open field by claiming valuable supply drops before scavenging hordes of Neophytes and wild creatures overrun them.
  [/p]
• [p]Lost Colony Skills (over 70 skills) and Milestones: Unlock three powerful new progression paths:[/p]
  • [p] Wayfarer Path: Master skills like Temporal Retreat to rewind your position, Bloodlust to gain speed on kills, or Siphoning Rounds to heal yourself in a firefight.
    [/p]
  • [p]Beastmaster Path: Forge a blood bond with your tames. Sacrifice your own HP to frenzy your mount with Sacrificial Power, summon Spirit Beasts to fight by your side, or or empower your possessed Thralls with Husk’s Resilience.
    [/p]
  • [p]Utility Path: Master the environment. Use Wisp of Industry to construct complex fortifications in hard-to-reach places, Cold Blooded to extend spoil timers, or The Midas Touch to turn resources into gold for massive yields.
    [/p]
• [p]March to the Throne: Your path leads to The Lost King’s Palace, looming over the city. Conquer dynamic Outpost Missions to weaken the King's grip on the realm. As you dismantle his defenses and secure the Sigils of his lieutenants, the gates to the citadel will open... but the King is not the only nemesis waiting for you in the dark.[/p]

[p][/p][p]The Lost King awaits in his stygian court, weighing if you have the strength to survive the darkness… But even though your humanity is but a flicker, fighting against the everlasting cold, your will burns on nonetheless. And from far across the stars, allies old and new are relying on you.[/p][p][/p][p]The future of your survival begins here and now on Arat Prime -- step forth and claim it![/p][p][/p][p]Download all screenshots in full resolution[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]v77 - Major version for Clients and Servers - 12/19/2025[/p][p][/p][p]ARK: Lost Colony is now live![/p]

• [p]New Tameable Creatures joining the Veilwyn & the Ossidon on Lost Colony:[/p]
  • [p]Solwyn[/p]
  • [p]Malwyn[/p]
  • [p]Gloon[/p]
  • [p]Aureliax[/p]
  • [p]Gigadesmodus[/p]
• [p]New Official Creatures (only spawn on Lost Colony for now):[/p]
  • [p]Desmodus[/p]
  • [p]Cryolophosaurus[/p]
• [p]Added Lost Colony–exclusive Milestones[/p]
• [p]Tweakable configs for Unofficial Server owners (Under \[ServerSettings] in GameUsersettings):[/p]
  • [p]Tek Bunker:[/p]
    • [p]LimitBunkersPerTribe=true[/p]
    • [p]LimitBunkersPerTribeNum=3[/p]
    • [p]AllowBunkersInPreventionZones=false[/p]
    • [p]AllowRidingDinosInsideBunkers=true[/p]
    • [p]AllowBunkerModulesAboveGround=false[/p]
    • [p]AllowDinoAIInsideBunkers=true[/p]
    • [p]AllowBunkerModulesInPreventionZones=false[/p]
    • [p]MinDistanceBetweenBunkers=3000.0[/p]
    • [p]EnemyAccessBunkerHPThreshold=0.25[/p]
    • [p]BunkerUnderHPThresholdDmgMultiplier=0.05[/p]
  • [p]CryoHospital:[/p]
    • [p]CryoHospitalHoursToRegenHP=1.0[/p]
    • [p]CryoHospitalHoursToRegenFood=24.0[/p]
    • [p]CryoHospitalHoursToDrainTorpor=1.0[/p]
    • [p]CryoHospitalMatingCooldownReduction=2.0[/p]
  • [p]Bloodforge:[/p]
    • [p]BloodforgeReinforceExtraDurability=0.3[/p]
    • [p]BloodforgeReinforceResourceCostMultiplier=3.0[/p]
    • [p]BloodforgeReinforceSpeedMultiplier=0.1[/p]
  • [p]Outposts:[/p]
    • [p]MaxActiveOutposts=[/p]
    • [p]MaxActiveResourceCaches=[/p]
    • [p]MaxActiveCityOutposts=[/p]

[p]Changes[/p]

• [p]PCC: Updated character creation. Additional updates are planned, including new hairstyles early next year.[/p]
• [p]The extended HUD now displays a No-Build-Zone radius preview when placing an item.[/p]
• [p]Prevented players from typing in Global Chat on Official Servers if their character is below level 10.[/p]
• [p]Veilwyn and Ossidon have been removed from their temporary maps.[/p]

[p]Bug Fixes[/p]

• [p]Fixed an issue where servers could become stuck waiting on deferred movement tasks.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where placing the Tek Bunker at certain Z-axis positions could cause blue lines to appear on the texture.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where Wasteland Garage pieces could be stacked beyond the maximum wall height.[/p]
• [p]Updated Rex footstep dust particles to feel more physical and less abstract.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the Lost Colony “Lost Cape” skin could stretch during rendering.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where trees/bushes could flicker on some maps (Xbox/PS5).[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where Companions could remain on the map after a server restart if the client hadn’t logged in, potentially causing them to be lost.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where pressing Esc would not close the Scissors UI while in the character preview window.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where some items were not appearing in folders.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where cosmetics applied to Thin Vertical Pillars could display as the Thick variant.[/p]
• [p]Fixed several exploits.[/p]

High above the frozen peaks of Arat Prime, a presence coils, weightless yet commanding.

It drifts above, deliberate and unhurried, as if weighing the world beneath.

Survivors who encounter it speak of duality held in perfect harmony. Whether it raises you up or casts you down rests entirely on what you bring before it.

Peace or Destruction.

Download in full resolution
[color][h3]We’re thrilled to share that the community has raised over 200K for Extra Life![/h3]
[h3]Megalosaurus steps up for the fifth and final TLC pass![/h3][/color]

The ARK community has now raised over $200,000 for Extra Life, our highest total ever! With that milestone reached, the fifth and final TLC creature is officially locked in: Megalosaurus.

In next week’s Community Crunch, we’ll share how you can send in your suggestions for each of the upcoming TLCs, so keep an eye out. Ideas will be vetted and reviewed as part of our design process, and while we may use them directly, your input will help shape the direction of each pass.

Since 2015, this community has rallied behind Extra Life with heart, humor, and a genuine drive to help kids in need. Crossing the 200K mark is a reminder of what our players can achieve when Survivors tribe up and rally together for something meaningful.

Your generosity directly supports Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the kids and families who rely on them. Every year, you show how powerful this community can be when it comes together for a cause that truly matters.

While the TLC vote phase is wrapped with Megalosaurus taking the final spot, donations are still open. If you want to keep the momentum going, there’s still time to make a difference.

Thank you, Survivors. This year has been one for the books, and we look forward to bringing all of the community-earned creature TLCs to life.

1. 🔒 [color]Araneo[/color]
   
2. 🔒 [color]Quetzalcoatlus[/color]
   
3. 🔒 [color]Giganotosaurus[/color]
   
4. 🔒 [color]Therizinosaurus[/color]
   
5. 🔒 [color]Megalosaurus[/color]
   
6. [color]↑[/color] Gallimimus
   
7. [color]↓[/color] Allosaurus
   
8. ⚌ Pelagornis
   
9. ⚌ Thylacoleo
   
10. ⚌ Brontosaurus
    

[h2][color]Donate now[/color] to any team member [color]listed here[/color]![/h2]

• Syntac & Heather -[color] $56,790[/color]
• Raas, Aaron & Friends - [color]$35,535[/color]
• HillbillyWilly - [color]$21,525[/color]
• Sandi - [color]$10,680[/color]
• PVE Official Modded - [color]$9,000[/color]
• Garuga's Modding Workshop -[color] $14,673[/color]
• MysticKorea / Mystic on Ark - [color]$5,536[/color]
• Loaded Crysis - [color]$5,039[/color]
• Phlinger Phoo -[color] $3,321[/color]
• ARKADE -[color]$3,095[/color]
• GP - [color]$2,922[/color]
• Ark Community Charity Giveaway - [color]$2,101[/color]
• Dragonheart -[color] $3,810[/color]
• Veno -[color] $1,525[/color]
• ARKATRAZ III -[color] $1,500[/color]
• Ninja & Friends - [color]$1,199[/color]
• crispnugget and friends -[color] $1,100[/color]
• Trafalgar -[color] $826[/color]
• BEYPlaysGames - [color]$760[/color]
• The ARK Art Ascended Team - [color]$730[/color]
• Etholdir -[color] $501[/color]
• NomadARK - [color]$466[/color]
• Alsano -[color] $300[/color]
• Meepachan -[color] $270[/color]
• Wild Hyenas -[color] $247[/color]
• Larry Smith - [color]$225[/color]
• Eaglelite30 - [color]$212[/color]
• Zyraphyre -[color] $207[/color]
• Yggstraordinary - [color]$185[/color]
• Find the rest of our roster here!

Ella Grace's journey began with a mysterious limp, leading to a four-year search for answers. Multiple surgeries and misdiagnoses left her family feeling lost. After finally getting a one-in-a-million diagnosis of Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis (CRMO), she was relieved to hear that UF Health Shands Children's Hospital could provide what she needed for her rare bone disease.

Though incurable, the hospital's specialized care and treatment plan brought stability and progress. Thanks to donations through CMN, UF Health Shands Children's Hospital provides specialized care and a comforting environment, empowering Ella Grace to face CRMO with strength.

You can read the full article about Ella's journey here!





All donations go directly to UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, a nationally recognized cornerstone of the UF Health Shands campus. The hospital provides expert care across more than 20 pediatric specialties and is home to the community’s first emergency department dedicated solely to children, the UF Health Shands Pediatric ER.
Serving children and families throughout Florida and beyond, UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital is a leading destination for pediatric patients from across the United States and around the world who need specialized care for complex medical conditions.

UF Health Shands recently celebrated the ribbon-cutting of Unit 44, a fully renovated pediatric medicine and surgical floor designed with children and families in mind. The unit features all-new private rooms with tech-enabled amenities for families, dedicated gathering spaces for siblings, and brand-new toddler and teen playrooms equipped with four large TVs, allowing patients to use each screen independently or sync them together to play their favorite games on what might be the biggest screen they’ve ever seen, perfect for jumping into ARK and other games. Interactive healing walls and an upgraded procedure room further enhance the patient experience. The $30 million+ transformation was funded through a combination of hospital budget, state appropriations, and private philanthropy, including over $4 million from Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals supporters (that's you guys!) .





We’ve heard your questions about Veilwyn transfers and wanted to share the specifics for our official Lost Colony servers. Fully mutated Veilwyns would dominate the early game and flatten progression, so here’s how transfers will work:

To keep the beginning of your journey fair and fun, Veilwyns with any mutations will not be transferable. Unmutated Veilwyns will still be allowed.

Many of you flagged concerns about power creep, so we wanted to clarify: this approach keeps the early game fair while still letting you bring your Veilwyns along from day one, so everyone can enjoy the adventure.



Expire servers are temporary servers across the network that will eventually be removed, and you can find them by searching for "Expire" in the session filter.

These servers will be online until 10 am PST / 1 pm EST on December 15th. We're preemptively using our allocation for future maps to host some additional sessions that players can travel onto to farm, tame, and experience the newest content 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 a new map temporarily.

Please note that these servers will no longer exist after 10 am PST / 1 pm EST on December 15th, 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.


[color]ARKpocalypse servers have been wiped today![/color]

[color]What is ARKpocalypse?[/color]

• ARKpocalypse are monthly-wipe servers with higher than usual rates.
  
• Next wipe: [color]January 9th, 2026[/color]

You can join them by typing "Arkpocalypse" in the server browser! Happy Surviving!



This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until [color]Monday, December 15th[/color].

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

Fan Art Gallery | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form



[color]Creator[/color]: Skwirrelle
Looking to spice up your ARK with some new mods? Check out Skwirrelle's roundup of her favorite mods released in November!
[previewyoutube]YOUTUBE URL[/previewyoutube]

[color]Creator[/color]: Raasclark
Raasclark has created a summary of the lore for ARK Survival Ascended to prepare you for Lost Colony!
[previewyoutube]YOUTUBE URL[/previewyoutube]



The Island's Glowing Bird by @sushii_okomeko


Small Comic Adaptation of Raia and John's Last Notes Part 2 by @umbrace-rambles


ARK: Rockwell's Offer by fluffyfurry6663


Collecting meat while sleeping by yuukuro07


Edmund down on Earth by dovethecat


The survivor and his predecessor by @TekARK_01


Crystal Wyvern by greenroc





Photo Mode by godzilla402


Photo Mode by specter0294


Photo Mode by savkyn


Photo Mode by flobs.


Photo Mode by .frostymirage.


[h3]Enjoy your weekend!
Studio Wildcard[/h3]

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Official Wiki: ark.wiki.gg