ARK: Survival Ascended News

[p]We hope your year’s off to a good start, and that you’ve had a chance to spend some time recharging over the holidays, whether that meant catching up with loved ones, getting outside, or sneaking in a few extra gaming sessions. However you rang in the new year, it’s been great seeing players carving out their foothold in Lost Colony, sharing their stories, and pushing deeper into its frozen reaches.[/p][p][/p][p]As the team comes back together and this new year gets going, we’re turning our focus to what’s coming next. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Looking ahead, we want to share a high-level outline of what’s on the horizon for ARK: Survival Ascended.[/p][p]Below, you’ll find an updated product roadmap highlighting major upcoming expansions and releases planned across 2026 and into 2027, giving you an overview of what you can expect in the coming year.[/p][p]

Download in full resolution[/p][p][/p][p][color]Survival of the Fittest by Studio Sirens[/color]: A new vision for the free Mod within ASA, refreshed and improved with better mechanics, competitive matchmaking systems, and meta game reward loops. Being developed by the Studio Sirens team![/p][p][/p][p][color]Bob's True Tales: Tides of Fortune[/color]: Continue the journey of Bob and Meeka after the events of Lost Colony, as they seek out the Evercave where ancient secrets have been buried. Meanwhile, on a [color]revamped Genesis Part 1[/color], enjoy a rollicking maritime adventure over a map-wide Ocean biome with real water physics, customizable pirate ships, randomized semi-procedural islands & fortresses, and big naval battles across the high-seas![/p][p][/p][p][color]ASA World Creator[/color]: Want to make maps but don't want to learn the ARK Dev Kit, or don't have a high-powered PC? With the ASA World Creator, you'll be able to do basic editing of existing maps or even create whole new ones, entirely from within the game itself, on any ASA platform, and share them with other players via the Mod Browser, using a new “World Creator” mode. While you won't be able to generate new art assets in “World Creator”, or do the deep construction associated with the full Dev Kit, you will be able to place and modify actors (and create reusable templates), edit their properties, edit overall world settings, add & configure volumes & spawners, apply mods and skin packs, and add simple functional text scripting. In other words, the “World Creator” will be the easiest and fastest way for novice and beginning creators to build a custom environment for their server or their friends, or for builders to assemble their ultimate visual showcase that other players can download & play in![/p][p][/p][p][color]Dragontopia[/color]: A mythical world of fire, stone, and sky, this non-canonical expansion pack will revolutionize how taming and creature interactions can work within ARK. Answer the riddle of flame with us in December![/p][p][/p][p][color]Atlantis[/color]: From the dynamic rolling seas to the depths of the vast sunken city itself, the non-canonical map of Atlantis will build on the mechanics of Tides of Fortune, presenting Studio Wildcard’s ultimate vision for water-oriented ARK gameplay and world design.[/p][p][/p][p][color]Bob's True Tales: Galaxy Wars[/color]: On the world of Arat, old legends never die, with all being revealed as Bob and Meeka's journey reaches an end. While on a [color]revamped Genesis Part 2[/color], a new giant map-sized outerspace biome takes the battle outside the Seed Ship as starfighers, bombers, capital ships, and colonizable planetoids are up for grabs in a fight to control the fate of humanity.[/p][p][/p][p][color]Legacy of Santiag[/color]: Everything leads to this -- after an unyielding power is unleashed across Arat, heroes old and new join the veteran survivors on a quest unlike anything seen before. Completely redesigned gameplay mechanics and features, coupled with a totally new way to enjoy living on this new world of ARK, in this standalone expansion series comprising the future of ARK.[/p][p]
Also in 2026-2027, Survivors can expect many new creatures, TLC's, holiday events, QOL improvements, upgraded legacy maps, and other surprises for the game they know & love![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Performance remains a major focus for us this year, and a key part of that work is our upcoming Unreal Engine 5.7 upgrade, currently targeting April.[/p][p]Compared to its October 2023 launch, ARK: Survival Ascended currently runs roughly 40–50% better on the same hardware, the result of ongoing optimization and engine improvements. The move to Unreal Engine 5.7 is expected to push that further, with an additional ~30–40% performance gain across both CPU and GPU.[/p][p]Much of this comes from deeper engine-level changes Epic has made in recent Unreal Engine versions. Unreal Engine 5.6 introduced major improvements to how work is shared across the game thread, render thread, CPU, and GPU, allowing systems to run far more efficiently in parallel. Unreal Engine 5.7 builds on that with a new Nanite-based foliage rendering system that significantly improves performance in large, vegetation-heavy environments, which is especially relevant for ARK.[/p][p][/p][p]Internally, we’re already seeing meaningful gains on existing maps without sacrificing visuals or memory. This is about as close to a “magic bullet” as performance work gets, a rare case where it’s an unalloyed win.[/p][p]There’s still work to do before release, including engine prep, testing, and recooking mods to ensure everything continues to run smoothly. But this upgrade represents the most significant performance gain ASA will see this year, and something players should feel directly and dramatically once it’s in their hands. It also, ahem, unlocks the potential for a certain portable console port of the crossplatform game…[/p][p]
[/p][p]
We’re getting ready to roll out the first major update for ARK: Lost Colony this weekend, bringing balance and progression adjustments alongside a range of fixes and polish informed by early player feedback.[/p][p]This update addresses a lot of pain points from the Expansion’s launch last month, and it sets the foundation for what’s next as we continue refining the Lost Colony experience. You’ll find the full patch notes below. As always, thank you to everyone who’s been sharing valuable reports, feedback, and suggestions.[/p][p]We’ll continue polishing Lost Colony and iterating on improvements, and you can expect major updates with similar scope of improvement each week over the near-term.[/p][p][/p][p]Balance Changes[/p]

• [p]Resource Caches:[/p]
  • [p]Reduced wave count from 5 to 3[/p]
  • [p]Removed Neophytes[/p]
  • [p]Increase XP awarded from spawned enemies by 5x[/p]
  • [p]Restore 20% health to the Resource Cache after completing each wave[/p]
  • [p]Increased the chances of getting Artic Armor/Fabricated Weaponry
    [/p]
• [p] Ossidon:[/p]
  • [p]During Taming, Wild Ossidon heals back to 100% after dismounting the player[/p]
  • [p]Ossidon’s taming time limit and num icicles/dino’s required now scales with taming speed multiplier config
    [/p]
• [p]Fabricated Crossbow:[/p]
  • [p] Increased Fabricated Crossbow damage in Sniper mode by 33%[/p]
  • [p] Increased Fabricated Crossbow base durability by 50%
    [/p]
• [p]Holo-Decoy[/p]
  • [p]Reduced Holo-Decoy crafting requirements by approximately 30%[/p]
  • [p]Removed Gunpowder as a Holo-Decoy crafting requirement
    [/p]

[p]Bug fixes:[/p]

• [p]Fixed a case where a player inventory would visually disappear after teleporting away with a thrall[/p]
• [p]Speculative fix for players being unable to access terminals on LC map[/p]
• [p]Aureliax, Sky gate no longer blocks projectiles[/p]
• [p]Aureliax, Fixed a case were the entering render distance would change its head rotation[/p]
• [p]When Veilwyn transforms, it should now keep its spayed/neutered status [/p]
• [p]Fast traveling with beds, should no longer break Solwyn mini-game buff[/p]
• [p]Solwyn/Malwyn should now update Imprint bonus correctly[/p]
• [p]Fixed a case where Malwyn would rarely become invincible during missions[/p]
• [p]Fixed another Feline form exploit.[/p]
• [p]Beaver dams can now spawn on LC map[/p]
• [p]Desmodus Mini boss will no longer stretch dinos and thralls when picked up[/p]
• [p]LC Ambient sounds should no longer be stacking. [/p]
• [p]Maeguana, can now enable nursing while underwater[/p]
• [p]Fixed a zero gravity bug with a bison attack[/p]
• [p]When controlling a thrall, it will now return back to the player character when teleporting into the boss arena.[/p]
• [p]Fixed up some LC explorer notes, not being translated properly[/p]
• [p]Improved Lost colony spawn points[/p]
• [p]LC “City” Spawn will no longer be the default spawn location in the list[/p]
• [p]Fixed a case were Thralls could spawn inside of each other[/p]
• [p]Updated "Ambushing Strike" description to match its effects[/p]
• [p]Fixed a couple of LC map holes[/p]
• [p]Fixed some LC assets not having proper collision[/p]
• [p]Updated LC ascension explorer note icon[/p]
• [p]Added some missing audio from waterfalls on LC map[/p]
• [p]Fixed issue with TheCenter displaying the wrong textures, while on Epic graphic settings[/p]
• [p]Upsell for LC should no longer display incorrectly when set to chinese[/p]
• [p]Higher Quality Tek Armour should now cost the appropriate amount when repairing[/p]
• [p]Fixed a lighting issue with Character creator, on consoles[/p]
• [p]Client crash fix when users attempt to load into the game. While in proximity of a taxidermy equipped with a custom cosmetic[/p]
• [p]Fixed a Crash when attempting to ascend with a Thrall[/p]
• [p]Fixed a couple of Server Crashes[/p]

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

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

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Choose your muse carefully. Each faction carries its own visual identity. [/p][p][/p][p]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. [/p][p][/p][p]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. [/p][p][/p][p]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. [/p][p][/p][p][/p]

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

• [p][TRESPASSER][/p]
• [p][DAMNED][/p]
• [p][CORRUPTED][/p]

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

• [p]Best in Class[/p]

• [p]The best artist for each individual faction. All Best-in-Class winners and runners-up will receive Lost Colony keys.[/p]

1. [p]The Grand Victor[/p]

• [p]The single artwork with the most votes overall decides which faction claims the Discord.[/p]
• [p]Grand Victor rewards include:[/p]

• [p]Server Banner: The winning artwork becomes the faction’s pinned banner for the week.[/p]
• [p]Exclusive Role: The Grand Victor receives a unique “Champion of the Lost Colony” role.[/p]

1. [p]The Grand Prize:[/p]

• [p]TOTAL DISCORD SERVER TAKEOVER![/p]
• [p]The winning faction will conquer this Discord for a full week.[/p]

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

• [p]Your submission must be on theme.[/p]
• [p]You need to have the rights to the image you submit. No copyrighted material or artwork made by others without consent.[/p]
• [p]One submission per user. No multiple submissions or submissions across multiple categories.[/p]
• [p]Content must follow server rules:[/p]

• [p]No NSFW, derogatory, discriminatory, or disrespectful content.[/p]
• [p]PG-13 only.[/p]
• [p]No AI-generated content.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Not an artist? You can still fight for your side. React to this post 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. [/p][p][/p][p][color]ARKpocalypse servers have been wiped today![/color] [color]What is ARKpocalypse?[/color] [/p]

• [p] ARKpocalypse are monthly-wipe servers with higher than usual rates.
  [/p]
• [p] Next wipe: [color]February 6th, 2026[/color][/p]

[p]You can join them by typing "Arkpocalypse" in the server browser! Happy Surviving!
[/p][p]This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until [color]Monday, January 12[/color].
[/p]

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

[p]Fan Art Gallery | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form

[/p][p] [color]Creator[/color]:Etholdir
A looming Gothic Vampire castle is slowly taking over the cliffs, casting shadows over the valley.[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[color]Creator[/color]: Raasclark
Raasclark goes over all the creature locations you need to know in Lost Colony!
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Banish the darkness by @falco_luna

[p]ARK Lost Colony, but it's Antonblast by gman2006
[/p][p]Malwyn by @SS38529630
[/p][p]Unite the past, and the future by @TekARK_01
[/p][p]ARK Cryolophosaurus wandering through the snow biome by @rainesaur
[/p][p][/p][p]Photo Mode by baha88
[/p][p]My new favorite dino by frozen_soap
[/p][p]Loving this city by nesvog
[/p][p]Photo Mode by catcatswaggin
[/p][p]Revenant Malwyn by anhagath
[/p][h3]Enjoy your weekend!
Studio Wildcard[/h3][p]
Twitter: [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]
Discord: discord.com/invite/playark
Reddit: reddit.com/r/playark
Instagram: instagram.com/survivetheark
Twitch: [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]
Steam: steamcommunity.com/app/346110
Youtube: [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]
Facebook: facebook.com/survivetheark
Threads: threads.net/@survivetheark
Official Wiki: ark.wiki.gg

[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