ARK: Survival Ascended News

Community Crunch 412: Server Transfers, Mods Spotlight, and More!

Hey Survivors!

We’ve got some quick updates for you as we prepare for the upcoming launch of The Center and Shastasaurus! Most importantly, we’re still on schedule. The new and remastered content will be coming your way on June 4th with the trailer, and we’ll keep you posted as we get closer to go time!

We’re really excited about the launch; The Center was the first non-canonical map added to ARK: Survival Evolved, and it holds a special place in our history and our hearts. But... needless to say, it had a look that only a mother, or in this case, evilmrfrank, could love. So, the team and evilmrfrank have been giving it the glow-up it deserves, and we can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction next week!

So obviously, word’s gotten around about a poll. Let’s dive into that first.

Server Transfers, yep. When are we opening Scorched Earth server transfers? Here’s the thing: we had initially planned for a 60-day period (a long, long time ago)... But as we drew closer to that timeframe, we realized, "Hey, it’s pretty close to The Center,” and we know a lot of you really love a fresh new map experience, so we’re deciding to push it back. Not a lot, just a little bit. And that’s what this poll is about. We’re going to give you two dates and let you vote on Twitter (yeah we still call it that) to decide which day we’ll enable complete Server Transfers onto Scorched Earth.

Click here to vote!

Your options are either June 14th or June 28th. Pick one! The date with the most votes by Monday wins!

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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:

Seven Deadly Ascended by TheNokosa (Premium mod)
ARK Bionic by GaiaStudios
Tristan’s Wyvern Tweaks by Tristans_Modding
Khal’s Composites by Khalahad_
J-Prefabs: Chinese Temples by GaiaStudios
Dark Age 2 Weapons by leanedtv

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.

This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until Monday, June 3rd.

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

Creator: iSyzen
iSyzen attempted to complete Primal Chaos in Ark Survival Ascended in 100 days. When he took on this challenge, he didn't know what he was signing up for, but now he knows it was an ambitious yet ridiculously difficult challenge.
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Creator: TBFGaming
TBFGaming is back on Ark Survival Ascended with the incredible Omega Mod, on the Forglar Map!
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Fan Art by @mexiicringe

Run Play by @falco_luna

Part 10 of Drawing Every Dino Dossier. by cascadingcaramel

Therizinosaurus chibi by @cairoFifi

Fjordur X-Spino by TheN4STYR4BBiT

Need For Speed by VoodooHorde

Successful hunt - Sinomacrops by VaalkyArt

Photo Mode by ohnooo0oo0

Photo Mode by strides993

I'm very proud of this build so I hope you guys all like it! by @CharliSpirit

My newly mutated Evo Tyrannosaurs! by @Dom1n8torG

Photo Mode by sioquejosin

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

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.

Modern Structure Skins by Sandi_00
Dedicated Storage Skins by KlingerMartins
Reverence Cosmetics by Kelthezuad
Sunken World Additions by The Sunken World Team
J-Prefabs: Japanese Temples by GaiaStudios
Proximity Mines by Trixt3r
Paleo ARK Evolution - Apex Predators by Team Paleo ARK

Reverence Cosmetics by Kelthezuad
Modern Structure Skins by Sandi_00
Dedicated Storage Skins by KlingerMartins

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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!

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

Community Crunch 410: An Update on The Center and ARK: Additions Integration!

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The Center is coming along nicely and will indeed be ready for launch at the beginning of June! To ensure a smooth rollout though, the release date has been adjusted by one day to June 4th. We're appreciative of player's enthusiasm for our third ARK: Survival Ascended map and look forward to getting it into your hands in just a few weeks!

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This week, we're thrilled to unleash not one, but two of Garuga123's formidable creatures making their Official debut in ARK: the fearsome Ceratosaurus and the relentless Xiphactinus! Prepare to master these remarkable new additions! The challenge awaits—are you ready to rise to the occasion?

Additionally, we are excited to announce that Premium Mods will be released for Xbox and Windows on Monday, May 20th! PlayStation players, the certification process is still ongoing; you can expect Premium Mods to be available on your platform within a week. Thank you for your patience as we roll Premium Mods to all platforms.

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Common Name: Ceratosaurus
Species: Ceratosaurus Punctura
Time: Late Jurassic
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Extremely Aggressive

While I'm surprised I haven't encountered them sooner, I'd rather them just vanish all-together. Ceratosaurus is as ruthless as they are quick. While not the most damaging carnivores you'll encounter, they are certainly some of the most persistent. I've seen these creatures even exhibit a sort of... stalking behavior unlike anything else I've seen on The Island. While they may not make themselves known to you immediately, they certainly know where YOU are!

The spines on Ceratosaurus have a very unique and powerful trait: Venom! This hemotoxin has the bizarre reaction with blood, making it incredibly nutritious to carnivores. The more intense the venom infection, the more beneficial the blood becomes. I've witnessed tribes that have managed to tame these beasts use it to great effect against larger threats, and even The Island's guardians!
Perhaps this desire to devour envenomed prey can be used against them...?

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Common Name: Xiphactinus
Species: Xiphactinus Velox
Time: Late Cretaceous
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Frenzied

Xiphactinus Velox is a frighteningly fast creature, lurking in the Islands' oceans. Most often appearing in groups, Xiphactinus can quickly overwhelm its victims. They have been observed to grab smaller prey in their terrifying jaws and thrash wildly to deplete their energy. When subdued, they will proceed to swallow the prey whole, something I have witnessed befall many unfortunate survivors.

Beware Xiphactinus that have recently fed, as they will become frenzied from the clouds of blood they've created! For targets too large to be swallowed by its horrific maw, Xiphactinus will instead resort to tearing off a chunk of flesh, causing the target to begin bleeding out. On several occasions, I've noticed Xiphactinus will attack other ocean species such as Megalodon, and even larger threats such as Mosasaurus! Be glad that you're not their only target!

Xiphactinus make for excellent mounts for exploring the ARK's vast ocean environments. Their powerful jaws can be utilized to grab smaller prey, while leaving a nasty bleeding wound on larger opponents. With good maneuverability and a violent nature, any tribes partaking in sea warfare will be sure to have a shoal of their "Dire Tuna".

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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-browser 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:

Klinger Additional Skin Cosmetics Rustic Building by klingerMartin
Deimos Cosmetics: Female Heroes by SurviveDeimos
Arketypes: Bombardier Beetle by Snappin
ARKOLOGY: New Encounters by DragonHeart7998
Draconic Chronicles by Ave
Western Decor by AaronLongstaff

Klinger Additional Skin Cosmetics Rustic Building by klingerMartin
Extreme Camo by AlmostNorma
Klinger Additional Skin Cosmetics Rustic Building by klingerMartin
Deimos Cosmetics: Female Heroes by SurviveDeimos

This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until Monday, May 20.

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: BemoGuinness
Bemo is going to explore the secret cave located under Scorched Earth to find a place for a new base!
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Creator: Syntac
Syntac hatches a beautiful lightning wyvern and takes it for a ride around Scorched Earth!
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Sunrise by @WolfTek7

Part 8 of Drawing Every Dino Dossier by cascadingcaramel

My ark character by @Redensi

Draconis vipera by @MexiiCringe

Drop Hunting by CoypuCoyote

Shrooms by Kattona

King Titan Reference by BettleKettle

Lightning Wyvern by j21d1h

Guardian of the scorched lands by maxfer4s_xt

I'm looking forward to Xiphactinus! by @Muni_ark

Photo Mode by cosmicman5455

Have you seen my Casita build video from Disney's Encanto on ARK!? by @LolsAtLance

Community Crunch 409: Introducing Xiphactinus from ARK: Additions!

Remember when we announced that Ceratosaurus from ARK: Additions is being integrated into the core game in the last Community Crunch? Well, get ready, because the fearsome Xiphactinus is next! Even though we may make a few changes to the design of the creatures from ARK: Additions, these beasts are going to shake up the game in mid-May!
Which of Garuga's creatures are you hoping to see get integrated?

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Be wary of the open ocean, for there lurk shoals of Xiphactinus, relentlessly aggressive fish with appetites bigger than their bodies. These voracious predators will blindly attack anything in sight, so you'll need to act fast or become their next meal! They tend to become even more ferocious in packs, so stay on your toes!

We're always eager to hear which creatures you're most excited to see from the ARK: Additions mod. You can stay directly connected to the latest updates and engage with the development process by joining Garuga's Discord server.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
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:

Enclave: Survival Skyward by looknorthworld
Forglar by SnowyTrain

This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until Monday, May 13.

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

Creator: Sossage Party
The Sossage Party played ARK Prop Hunt to find out who is the Dino Hide & Seek Champion!
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Creator: Phlinger Phoo
In this episode, Phlinger adds a greenhouse and a floating wyvern landing pad to his Scorched Earth Ascended base.
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Lethal by @WolfTek7

Fan Art by @Regure33

Scout, Wasp and Spinach! by @Draconiart

Sliding in by @falco_luna

Raising Rexes is Hard Work by @artofnezuyu

Part 7 of Drawing Every Dino Dossier by cascadingcaramel

The Heat is on! (Fire Wyvern) by yourmom-12

Tapejara by ohnooo0oo0

Photo Mode by strides993

Howl by bootman

Fire Wyvern by lunajiiva

The morning sun is also insanely beautiful! by @hamubarg

Community Crunch 408: Introducing Ceratosaurus from ARK: Additions

We're thrilled to announce that we'll be bringing a taste of the popular Garuga123 mod ARK: Additions directly into the base game. These creatures may see some tweaks along the way for balance and design, but one thing's for sure: they are coming, and they are ready to shake things up!

Get ready to encounter new formidable creatures from Garuga, starting with the vicious Ceratosaurus. Prepare to have your skills put to the test, because these beasts won't go down without a fight!

Download in full resolution

Lurking in the untamed jungles and sprawling grasslands, the Ceratosaurus is an aggressive predator adorned with venom-laced spines. Their attacks cause victims to erupt in bursts of blood, a sight for sore eyes (or a tactical advantage for a clever Survivor!). If you can harness this power, tamed Ceratosaurus will unleash healing bursts that revitalize themselves and your fellow carnivores. These swift creatures make for some of the fastest mounts you'll find.

Keep up with the development on ARK:Additions in Garuga's Discord!

This is just the first of Garuga's fearsome creatures from ARK: Additions that we plan to introduce to ARK: Survival Ascended. We expect to launch this new creature by mid-May so get ready, sharpen those spears, and prepare to conquer this fantastic beast! Next week, we will be revealing the second creature that will be released simultaneously with Ceratosaurus!

As we draw closer to the release of Premium Mods on console (currently going through cert), we have some updates based on feedback we’ve received from the community regarding how Unofficial Servers that used Premium Mods felt like they were too restrictive. This was definitely not the intention of the system and with our partners, Overwolf, we aim to resolve this as soon as we can. So here’s the plan:

This summer we’re going to give UGC Creators the capability to remove the server-join restrictions on their Premium Mods. Essentially, we’re giving them the ability to create an “Unrestricted Premium Mod”.

What this means is that, they’ll be able to create a new type of paid mod, which can be hosted on a server that does not prevent you from joining it if you do not own the mod. Instead, Creators can determine how they want to control access to the content of the mod. For example, if there’s an Unrestricted Premium Mod that adds a new set of weapons, the creator can prevent people from specifically crafting or using the weapons, or other gameplay aspects rather than preventing people from joining servers hosting it, as it currently does.

Additionally, this system will also allow Creators to make some aspects of their mod disregard ownership so even if you do not own the mod, you can still get some of the gameplay changes.

We believe this flexibility will allow both Creators to balance out the features in the mod, as well as ensure that they can be hosted on Unofficial Servers without preventing restriction. A huge thank you to the ARK community, your feedback is invaluable as we shape the future landscape for modding!

Dickinsonia by Xyphias
Atlas Creatures: Big cats by Myrmecoleontidae
Atlas Creatures: Felis by Myrmecoleontidae
Cliffans Spice Wars [Dune Inspired] by Cliffan_
Amissa Structures by Sicco0803
Alien Drone by Survive Deimos

This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until Monday, May 6.

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: The Handyman builds
Learn how to construct The Handyman's hatchery that is both efficient and stylish!
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Creator: Crazy of the game *international corner* This French film takes place over the entire history of Scorched Earth with the characters, Helena, Rockwell, Raia and John. (with English subtitles!)
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Part 6 of Drawing Every Dino Dossier by cascadingcaramel

Unka bob by gman2006

Fire Wyvern by strandedandstoopid

Really proud of these last couple drawings of Scorched Earth! by @CharliSpirit

Locke and his family thriving in the years after the story by @TekARK_01

Mei, Xiao, and Shi running through the Luminous Marshlands! by @ewo_zaur

Deathworm by SirDrip

Photo Mode by toastaleenix

Ridin' off into the sunset by donnsensei

Photo Mode by lordarkanum

Scorched Acro by dragonheart7998

ARK Foosball by @GPxGP