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Community Crunch 496: Release the Kraken


Beneath the waves, something new is lurking…

Arriving later this year in Genesis Part 1, the latest community-voted creature brings a new kind of intelligence to the depths.

[color]Download in full resolution[/color]

When exploring the wide underwater biomes, you may notice two very different moods beneath the waves. Sometimes the calm is shattered by a sudden, violent surge—a frantic rush of ink and power that suggests the depths have finally lost their patience. Other times, the seabed gains an extra stone… a coral formation grows a few more “branches”… and the ocean floor becomes suspiciously still.

Disturb it at the wrong moment, and survivors will learn quickly that those eight arms aren’t just for show.




Following the recent Major Version update, we began encountering a series of corruption-related crashes across the Official Network. While the patch introduced a significant amount of new content, this issue was not specific to Astraeos. The release simply exposed something that was already lurking beneath the surface.

To protect player progress and prevent further data damage, we made the decision to take the entire Official Network offline while we investigated and stabilised the environment. That call was not made lightly but leaving servers online while corruption was occurring carried the risk of far greater long-term impact.

Our investigation traced the crashes back to corrupted dino data. In certain edge cases, a dino could be destroyed while the server still retained references to it. The server would then continue attempting to process or save data tied to that non-existent creature. Over time, those “ghost” dinos could trigger crashes and, in some cases, additional corruption. For reasons we’re still actively investigating, certain edge cases were only surfacing under the conditions introduced with the release, which we’re actively investigating.

After taking the network offline, we ran controlled subsets of Official servers with enhanced logging and updated builds. This allowed us to safely reproduce the issue, gather clean crash data, and validate adjustments without putting the wider network at risk to work on the resulting fix.




We will hold on running the EVO event while we continue stability monitoring. If servers remain stable during that window, we’ll kick off a week-long EVO event running through Monday the 9th.

We know downtime on this scale is disruptive, and we appreciate the patience while we worked through this properly. Our goal was not just to bring the network back, but to bring it back stable.


If you prefer more immediate, step-by-step Live Ops updates as we work through this, you can join the [color]Official ARK Discord[/color].




[color]Expire servers wipe date extended to March 9.[/color]

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

These servers will be online until 10 am PST / 1 pm EST on March 9. 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 [color]these servers will no longer exist after 10 am PST / 1 pm EST on March 9[/color], 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.


[previewyoutube]MODSPOLIGHTLINK[/previewyoutube]
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:
Fan Art Gallery | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form



[color]Creator[/color]: LolstAtLance
This building tutorial shows how to create a fully functional desert PVE base on Astraeos, perfect for surviving the scorching Pythanos region.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[color]Creator[/color]: Vattghornn
[color]*International Corner*[/color] Vattghornn teaches everything you need to know about the new Grand Tortugar, from its taming method to its abilities!
[previewyoutube]YOUTUBE URL[/previewyoutube]



Superman by ticklemonster999


ARK Utahraptor In Hellcreek by DrakeBoy2003


How the Lost Colony art contest in here got me acting by tekark_01


I made this little Deadpool Gloon by delayed_again


Seven years ago I fell in love with him by amitaya82


Designing a fanart of a Veilwyn by lunabrew


Rock Drake by vikihun





Photo Mode by dinokiller120


Photo Mode by falcon19


Photo Mode by zeevina


Have a Quaktastic day by bubu_0815


Modern water facility by f4rmboy31


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

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

Astraeos Mega Update is now live!

[center]


[previewyoutube]TRAILER HERE[/previewyoutube]

Explore the vast new desert landmass of [color]Pyranthos[/color], shaped by myth, ruin, and survival. Far from an empty wasteland, Pyranthos is a hostile, ancient region where shifting sands give way to forgotten structures, buried pathways, and environments designed to test preparation as much as curiosity. This is a place built for exploration, but it doesn’t reward carelessness.

Developed in Partnership with Nitrado, this update pushes Astraeos forward with new challenges across the map. Powerful creatures roam both the surface and the depths below, ancient forces stir in long-abandoned arenas, previously unexplored artifact caves beckon the curious, and new boss encounters await those ready to face them.



  • New gigantic desert landmass: [color]Pyranthos[/color], vast and unforgiving, built to challenge every step forward.
  • [color]Five new Artifact Caves[/color] that will challenge your survival skills.
  • The [color]Minotaur Labyrinth Cave[/color], a twisting descent into confusion and dread, traps the unprepared.
  • The [color]Rhyniognatha Drone Nest Cave[/color], a pulsing hive of wings and terrifying buzzing.
  • A [color]new weather system plus a complete lighting overhaul[/color], reshapes the world’s mood minute by minute, from blinding glare to eerie twilight, making familiar places feel freshly beautiful... or dangerous.
  • [color]Old creatures are making their debut on Astraeos[/color] with this update: Phoenix, Armadoggo, Oasisaur, Desmodus, Megaraptor and Rockdrakes!






The dunes of Pyranthos are not getting any friendlier. Alongside the [color]Deathworms[/color] you already know to fear, a new threat now prowls the sands: the [color]Scorpion King and Queen[/color]. Massive and bloodthirsty, it is absolutely not something you want to stumble into unprepared.




New [color]Skeleton enemies[/color], rattling remnants of battles long forgotten, stalk the sands with relentless hunger. These undead foes protect their lost world with the might of their ancient gods.




The minotaur [color]Minotarchos[/color] awaits new challengers, and while it doesn’t rely on flashy gimmicks, its strength is worthy of its myth. Those who bring it down will be greatly rewarded and one step closer to defeating the legendary Hydra.




Buried in the ruins of Pyranthos, [color]Hydraskos the Unbroken[/color] awaits. Defeating all five hungry heads will demand teamwork, timing, and a whole lot of firepower. Cut the heads from the body and the fight shifts, but only if your team stays in sync.

And last but not least, the [color]Manticore[/color] has flown from Scorched Earth and made its new nest in Astraeos' boss arena.









Meet the [color]Grand Tortugar[/color], a mobile stronghold built for endurance. Beneath its massive armored shell lies something more than protection. Open its carapace and it becomes a living command post, allowing multiple riders to shelter within while defending from behind natural plating. Close it, and the Tortugar transforms into a near-impenetrable bastion with your crew breathing freely inside.

It moves with steady purpose across both land and seabed, capable of walking the ocean floor and harvesting valuable resources. And when the waters crackle with danger, the Tortugar remains… shockingly unimpressed.

Whether you’re exploring the scorching sands of Pyranthos or staging an amphibious assault, the Tortugar is ready to carry your crew and hold the line.



[color]Download all screenshots in full resolution[/color]

[hr][/hr]



Added to Astraeos
  • New gigantic desert landmass: Pyranthos
  • New Bossfight: Manticore
  • New Bossfight: Hydraskos the Unbroken
  • New Creature: Grand Tortugar
  • New Miniboss: Minotarchos
  • New Weather System + complete Lighting overhaul
  • Added Phoenix
  • Added Oasisaur
  • Added Armadoggo
  • Added Desmodus
  • Added Megaraptor
  • Added Rock Drakes
  • Added Scorpion King & Queen
  • Added Astral & Scorpion King/Queen
  • Added Deathworm
  • Added New Skeleton Enemies
  • Added 5 New Artifact Caves
  • Added Rhyniognatha Drone Nest Cave
  • Added Ossidon & Megaraptor Saddles to miniboss lootpool


Changes
  • Switched ocean spawns to custom ocean dinospawn entries: DinoSpawnEntries_Ocean_Generic_Ast
  • Changed Ice materials in the snow biome
  • Reworked Medusa Arena lighting
  • Adjusted Lighting in almost every cave
  • Adjusted combat music for the whole map
  • OSD Changes on Astraeos:
    • Added Lightning Giga as possible enemy for Legendary OSDs
    • Added Giga, Carcha, Rockdrake, Megalodon, Tuso, Mosa, Helicoprion, Megaraptor, and Deinonychus Saddle to OSDs
    • Added Tesla coil, Tek Turret, Tek Replicator, Tek Transmitter, Tek Teleporter, Tek Vacuum Compartment, Tek Gateframe Small & Large, Tek Gate Small & Large as possible drop
    • Lowered Cryo Drop amount
    • Removed Stone Tier structures
    • Rebalanced the OSD difficulty distribution on Therokis to make more high-tier OSDs spawn
  • Reduced Deinotherium Spawns in Grasslands
Fixes
  • Fixed Spring Drakelings not spawning
  • Fixed wrong materials in the bee cave
  • Fixed wrong landscape color on the northern islands
  • Fixed holes in Supplycrate meshes
Game Fixes
  • Fixed Parachute skeletal mesh following character bone scalars.
  • Fixed Spotlight painting brush strokes.
  • Fixed Gene Scanner first modded creature not having any text.
  • The Scout camera is no longer inside scout body.
  • Scorched Earth
    • Three older cave no-fly zones should no longer allow players to mount for a moment.
  • Aberration
    • Fixed some mesh holes.
  • Extinction
    • Gacha now plays the correct turn/aim when charging.
  • Ragnarok
    • Fixed a few mesh holes.
    • Fixed a flickering waterfall.
  • Lost Colony
    • Fixed thralls not showing weapons in boss fight sometimes.
    • Fixed boss fight getting stuck when everyone dies.
  • Fixed performance issues with Cryo Hospitals if you have many of them.
  • Fixed a couple of exploits.



Community Crunch 495: Pyranthos awaits you!


The dunes of Pyranthos are not getting any friendlier. Alongside the Deathworms you already know to fear, a new threat now prowls the sands: the Scorpion King and Queen. Massive and bloodthirsty, they are absolutely not something you want to stumble into unprepared.

The desert doesn’t reward carelessness, and Pyranthos is happy to remind you.

Download in full resolution

Deeper in Pyranthos, the caves hold something else entirely. The minotaur Minotarchos awaits new challengers, and while it doesn’t rely on flashy gimmicks, its strength is worthy of its myth.

Those who bring it down will be greatly rewarded and one step closer to defeating the legendary Hydra. Consider it a test of raw endurance, and a warning that the ruins below are just as unforgiving as the sands above.

Pyranthos mega update arrives on Astraeos on February 25th. Prepare accordingly. You’ve been warned, Survivors.




[previewyoutube]MODSPOLIGHTLINK[/previewyoutube]
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:






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

These servers will be online until 10 am PST / 1 pm EST on March 2nd. 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 [color]these servers will no longer exist after 10 am PST / 1 pm EST on March 2nd[/color], 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.



This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until [color]Monday, February 23[/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]: The Outcasts
How well do you know your ARK maps? The Outcasts is about to find out!
[previewyoutube]YOUTUBE URL[/previewyoutube]

[color]Creator[/color]: Storminit
In this video, Storminit showcases the S-Variants mod, which gives a glow-up to many creatures without affecting gameplay difficulty.
[previewyoutube]YOUTUBE URL[/previewyoutube]



For every survivor before us by @alkonavi


Kawaii Gloon by @kinosei_x2


GLORY TO THE HYPNOGLOON by hypnotoadish


Neophyte Flag by nezuyu


Tiny helicopters everywhere. by tacimur


It's hard to ride the Aureliax by yuukuro07


Ossidon by one_trublu




Photo Mode by takeritaketakeko


Photo Mode by stinkerrr_


I love having my Rock Drake on Lost Colony by arrynhellfire


Photo Mode by savkyn


SUBJECT-Meraxes by @HotaruIkaMC


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

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 494: Shell Yeah!


The ocean doesn’t belong to the fastest. It belongs to the last one standing.

With the Astraeos expansion arriving [color]February 25th[/color], the [color]Grand Tortugar[/color] emerges as a mobile stronghold built for endurance. Beneath its massive armored shell lies something more than protection. Open its carapace and it becomes a living command post, allowing multiple riders to shelter within while defending from behind natural plating. Close it, and the Tortugar transforms into a near-impenetrable bastion with your crew breathing freely inside.

It moves with steady purpose across both land and seabed, capable of walking the ocean floor and harvesting valuable resources. And when the waters crackle with danger, the Tortugar remains… shockingly unimpressed.

Whether you’re exploring the scorching sands of Pyranthos or staging an amphibious assault, the Tortugar is ready to carry your crew and hold the line. 

Download in full resolution




Moving day is near!  

Official Lost Colony transfers will fully open on [color]February 20th[/color], allowing players to move items, creatures, and characters onto the map without restriction! Please pack your dodos in bubble wrap. 



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

These servers will be online until 10 am PST / 1 pm EST on March 2nd. 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 [color]these servers will no longer exist after 10 am PST / 1 pm EST on March 2nd[/color], 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.



[previewyoutube]MODSPOLIGHTLINK[/previewyoutube]
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: