ARK: Survival Evolved News

It's time to Trick or Treat whilst howling under the blood moon! The Dodorex and Dodowyvern will be striking fear into the hearts of Survivors with their fearsome return to the ARK! Hunt for new diabolical chibis, spectral creature skins, event themed threads, and new holiday emotes. Fear Evolved is one of our favorite events and we can't wait for you to experience what we've conjured up this year!

[h2]Event Details[/h2]
This event can be manually activated with the server arg parameter: -ActiveEvent=FearEvolved

[h3]Dates [/h3]

• October 22nd to November 6th
  

[h3]Rates[/h3]

• 2X Breeding (mating interval, egg hatch speed, and maturation)
  
• 2X Player XP
  

[h3]Creatures[/h3]
In addition to some of the past favorites from Fear Evolved, survivors will find themselves on the hunt for 11 new spooky themed chibi's to add to their growing collection and 7 new ghostly dinosaur skins.

[h3]Spooky Encounters[/h3]

• DodoRex (Untamable Boss)
  
• DodoWyvern (Untamable Boss)
  
• Zomdodo
  
• Zombie Fire Wyvern (claimable & persist after Fear Evolved)
  
• Zombie Lightning Wyvern (claimable & persist after Fear Evolved)
  
• Zombie Poison Wyvern (claimable & persist after Fear Evolved)
  
• Skeletal Giganotosaurus
  
• Skeletal Quetzal
  
• Skeletal Jerboa
  
• Bone Fire Wyvern
  
• Skeletal Bronto
  
• Skeletal Stego
  
• Skeletal Trike
  
• Skeletal Raptor
  
• Skeletal Rex
  
• Skeletal Carnotaurus
  
• Ghost Reaper (Surface reapers) *new*
• Ghost Bulbdog *new*
• Ghost Rex *new*
• Ghost Basilisk *new*
• Ghost Snow Owl *new*
• Ghost Mantis *new*
• Ghost Direwolf *new*

[h3]Event Chibis (acquired via killing Dodowyvern/Dodorex or Cooking Pot recipe)[/h3]

• Skeletal Giganotosaurus *new*
• Skeletal Quetzal *new*
• Skeletal Jerboa *new*
• Skeletal Bronto *new*
• Skeletal Stego *new*
• Skeletal Trike *new*
• Skeletal Raptor *new*
• Skeletal Rex *new*
• Skeletal Carnotaurus *new*
• Bone Wyvern *new*
• Zombie Wyvern *new*

[h3]Ghost Creature Skins (acquired via killing Ghost creatures)[/h3]

• Reaper *new*
• Bulbdog *new*
• Rex *new*
• Basilisk *new*
• Snow Owl *new*
• Mantis *new*
• Direwolf *new*

[h3]Items[/h3]

• Pumpkin
  
• Stolen Headstone
  
• Scarecrow
  
• Dinosaur Bone
  
• Dino Candy Corn
  

[h3]Emotes (acquired via Cooking Pot recipe)[/h3]

• Scare Emote *new*
• Knock Emote *new*
• Panic Emote
  
• Dance Emote
  
• Zombie Emote
  

[h3]Skins (acquired via Cooking Pot recipe)[/h3]

• Reaper Swimsuit Skin *new*
• Jack-O-Lantern Swimsuit Skin *new*
• Pumpkin Helmet Skin
  
• Headless Costume Skin
  
• Hockey Mask Skin
  
• Araneo Swimsuit Skins
  
• Onyc Swimsuit Skins
  
• Vampire Dodo Swimsuit Skins
  

[h3]Creature Event Colors[/h3]

• Dino Darker Grey
  
• Dino Light Blue
  
• Dino Dark Yellow
  
• DragonBase1
  
• Light Brown
  
• Light Grey
  
• Dino Light Brown
  
• Dino Dark Brown
  
• DragonFire
  
• Vermillion *new*
• ActualBlack *new*
• MidnightBlue *new*
• MediumAutumn *new*
• DarkWarmGray *new*
• Orange *new*
• DarkLavender *new*
• Jade *new*

The latest major PC version supports our Initial Implementation of the 'Live Tuning' system. The 'Live Tuning' system is a dynamic configuration system which will allow server hosts to easily modify supported game properties without the need for mods. All that is required is a simple edit of a json file, and you're good to go! As you can imagine, this new dynamic configuration system will provide useful options for server administrators, especially as we grow it out to support more properties.

For the modding community, this system is also very powerful. Modders may have actually seen it before in the property details panel. When you add variables there is a checkbox for "Live-Tunable". Checking that box on properties will opt them into the system. By doing so, this will allow server owners to tweak mod settings on the fly without the need for mod updates.

As the system evolves, we hope to add more options and expose more values to tweak. The 'Live Tuning' system provides ways for server administrators to offer dynamic events in a quick, simple, and straightforward way. For more information on the 'Live Tuning' system and how to set it up, check out the following thread. We'll be adding more details as the system continues to expand:

https://survivetheark.com/index.php?/forums/topic/569366-server-configuration-live-tuning-system/



One of our constant priorities is monitoring the live-game and server reliability. Over the past few weeks, we've noticed an increase in reports about server instability. The causes of server instability may range but our engineering team has been hard at work diagnosing the root causes.

In a past Community Crunch we noted that we've been working on technical changes behind the scenes to increase server performance and mitigate some of the attacks we're seeing against the servers. We've made improvements to mesh detection, added more protection against DDOS, and fixed various exploits/cheats that could be used to intentionally crash servers. Since deploying those changes we have seen a noticeable decrease in some of the server instability reports and attacks we were seeing. Although things have improved, we will continue to work against malicious players who intend to ruin the experience for others.


We've made some changes with a focus on improving performance. This reworks how structures are loaded/unloaded on the server. The simple idea is that fewer calculations take place at a given time with the new system so the server doesn't have to do as much. Something to note is that the performance gains are more noticeable when more active structures are present (so think really busy, large bases) and an increased number of players on a server.

The structures are now broken up into a grid, when a player logs in they are assigned grid cells appropriate to their location, and the structures in those cells are loaded. That way not all are loaded.

This setting is enabled by default on Official Servers, and Unofficials can now opt-into using the new system too by setting the following server parameter in their commandline:

-UseStructureStasisGrid

This will work on both PC and Console, but we highly recommend that it is not used on servers with mods, as there are some assumptions made about structures in stasis and this could cause issues with modded content, however in a future devkit update, you'll be able to opt said structures out of the system to avoid the issues.

TLDR: Predominantly busy servers with a lot of players and big bases will be seeing the most significant performance gains.



Our Official ARK Discord launched a few weeks ago and it's thriving with 35k users already! If you'd like to get in on the action for updates, patch notes, a community hub, bulletin board, and sometimes chatting with us, you can join on the invite below!

https://discord.gg/playark



Survivors on all platforms will be receiving a special Evolution Event perk this weekend! It will be active from Friday the 9th of Oct at 3 PM EST until Monday the 12th of Oct at 3 PM EST. All Official Servers across each platform will be undergoing this evolutionary change which includes:

• 2x Breeding/Maturing
  
• 2x XP
  

Winston

Sith

Kawaranaye

FireRayDragon

Saurvax

moon0w0

Bandi

We're always thrilled to see what our talented Community create and love sharing your fanart. Keep it coming!




Until next time!
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Welcome to another edition of the Community Crunch! While we continue polishing TLC 3 and addressing any live-game issues that arise, this week we will take a look at some awesome community fan art and community content.


There will be no EVO Event this week.


The Official ARK Discord is thriving with 30k users within two weeks of launch. We've recently added LFG channels at popular request.

Get into our new hub for info, updates, and news (sometimes you can talk to us there too!)

https://discord.gg/playark



Mana by @Mauve (Discord)


Water Mill and Mansion by @ThePilgrimz


Early Morning by @KO3LNHA


Reaper by @Karl (Discord)


Latest Work by @ImEnFuego


Broodmother VS Dragon by @Goyounghee (Discord)


Shinehorn by @Slimeyspore11


Castle and Castle Town by @syn_ARK


See you next week!
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Twitter: twitter.com/survivetheark
Facebook: facebook.com/survivetheark
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Steam: steamcommunity.com/app/346110
Youtube: youtube.com/survivetheark

In this edition of the Community Crunch, we’ll be giving you more details on the upcoming TLC 3 patch and taking a look at some amazing community art.



Excitement is ramping up and we're anxious to share more details on the creature improvements we've been working on. In addition to the creature upgrades we'll been sharing, there's more polish, balance, and quality of life updates in store for the upcoming TLC patch.

[h2]Woolly Mammoth[/h2]


Recently we gave you a peek at the visual upgrades of the Woolly Mammoth but it’s abilities have also seen an upgrade. The Mammoth comes marching in with new attacks and a buff that’s enabled by war drums. We have a feeling you will like the sound of that!

[h3]New Abilities[/h3]
War Drum Saddle and Buff

• 1 additional passenger seat on a saddle that comes equipped with a war drum that must be played to maintain an AoE buff that improves stamina regen and makes them immune to fear.
  

[h3]New Attacks[/h3]
Tusk Sweep

• Sweeps tusks left or right to gather and harvest thatch
  

Trunk Trumpet

• Emits a trunk roar that does an AOE debuff to all enemies within range
  

Foot Stomp

• Mammoth rears up and then puts all of its weight into a forward “slam” with its front legs to directionally knock back enemies and gather wood
  

Trunk Grab

• Similar to the Karkinos’s grab, it is able to grab, hold, and release smaller targets
  

[h2]Stegosaurus[/h2]


Primarily known as a harvester, the Stegosaurus will be seeing visual upgrades and an expanded toolset that makes it hard to resist.

[h3]New Abilities[/h3]
Backplate Modes
Backplate passive buff and can switch between three modes. Different modes will be indicated visually

• Hardened Plated: Applies a damage reduction buff and prevents riders from being dismounted by enemies; Wood harvesting benefit
  
• Heavy Plate Mode: Applies a slow when attacking with the basic tail whip; Thatch harvesting benefit
  
• Sharpened Plate Mode: Applies an armor penetration effect when attacking with the tail whip. Also useful for harvesting berries
  

[h3]New Attacks[/h3]
Impaling Tail Whip

• Able to impale and immobilize players and smaller creatures
  

Survivors on all platforms will be receiving a special Evolution Event perk this weekend! It will be active from Friday the 25th of Sep at 4 PM EST until Monday the 28th of Sep at 3 PM EST. All Official Servers across each platform will be undergoing this evolutionary change which includes:

• 2x Breeding/Maturing
  

Rockwell by kawarayane

Starter Base by ThePilgrim

Catch Me by Rackiera

Cliff Platform by maroichigo022

Alpha Hunter by BioZev

Direwolf by bluedragonark

Dodo by Amy the Amers

Catch you next week!
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Twitter: twitter.com/survivetheark
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We’re excited to announce the launch of our Official ARK:Survival Evolved Discord! Along with being a new hub for our ARK community, this Discord will be a source of information for our players where announcements and patch notes can be pushed through to your own Discord if you choose.

Jump in via this invite link: https://discord.gg/playark


At times we may make adjustments to the Code of Conduct based on evolving game meta or as a result of ongoing enforcement initiatives. These adjustments to the Code of Conduct will take place immediately.

Before

Originally posted by author

Teleportation zones are treated as spawn zones and as such they should not be blocked nor have any turrets in them in either pvp or pve game mode.

After

Originally posted by author

Teleportation zones (on Genesis) are treated as spawn zones and as such they should not be blocked nor have any turrets in them in either pvp or pve game mode.

Before

Originally posted by author

Blocking access to important resources (ie. charge nodes, gas nodes, Extinction City Terminals, etc)

After

Originally posted by author

Blocking access to important resources (ie. charge nodes, Extinction City Terminals, Orbital Supply Crates on Extinction, etc)

If you're planning on playing on the Official Network, please familiarize yourself with the Code of Conduct.



There will be no EVO Event this week.



Poison Wyvern by Kittu Shakmarov

Dodo by Rej PiekielnyGrabarz

Rock Drake by REN SAIO

Falling by CaPrIcOrNbReAd

Managarmr Headshot by Sarahleiwel

The Obelisk by BigChickenLover

See you in Discord!
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Twitter: twitter.com/survivetheark
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In this edition of the Community Crunch, we’ll be teasing you with some juicy TLC 3 info along with giving you an overview of what we’ve been focusing on lately behind the scenes.

The much-awaited TLC is getting closer and we’re excited to get some of our re-imagined favorites into your hands soon!

Download the high-resolution version

We’ll be reconceiving these veteran ARK friends via visual and mechanical upgrades that will introduce new elements of gameplay. Much appreciated community feedback drew our attention towards the Wooly Mammoth (among others) and it’s time for this relic of the Pliocene epoch to make a new debut heralded by the beat of a new buff bound to add more utility to emergent gameplay, and more!

We hope that drums up some enthusiasm ;)



Whilst we’re ramping up work on the TLC 3 patch and our climactic Genesis Part II expansion, we frequently pivot to Live Ops and seek to achieve fast iterations on fixes for bugs and exploits.

One of our biggest priorities at the moment is the ongoing investigating and work done on server reliability. Over the last few weeks we have seen an uptick in player reports regarding their servers not listing, not being able to join them, high ping, being unable to transfer, “ghosting”, or offline. While the cause of this downtime may vary, sometimes it is the result of a malicious attack. Our engineers are working with our partners on technical implementations to further improve stability and mitigate the attacks. We will be rolling out changes to all platforms in the near future which will have a serious impact on resolving these issues.

Recently we’ve also addressed issues that include fixes to various exploits including: invulnerability related to characters and dinos, pincode bypassing, further checks between server and client in relation to shooting, and abuse of dino mechanics. We’ve also implemented Level Design changes across varied maps with the purpose of filling in holes that may have allowed players to gain entry into unintended playable areas of the map. A fair environment is important to us and to the health of the game, we’ll continue to address these issues as they arise.

We plan on continuing to improve the player experience with updates like our recent Quality Of Life and Balance patch in the near future...speaking of Quality Of Life, how does an EVO Event sound?



Survivors on all platforms will be receiving a special Evolution Event perk this weekend! It will be active from Friday the 11th of Sep at 4 PM EST until Monday the 14th of Sep at 3 PM EST. All Official Servers across each platform will be undergoing this evolutionary change which includes:

• 2x Breeding/Maturing
  

Dropping some ARK work by RoboticHat717

The Featherlight Family by bluedragonark

ARK Survival: Alpha Raptor by Valonia-Feline

Supa Pink Dodo by DakotaAnnArt

Desert Watchtowers by ThePilgrim

Speedpaint: Forest Camping by Earthsong9405

Small Mockup by EdiPotter


We hope you’re all keeping safe and well. While working remotely has been somewhat of an adjustment period for us, we’ve now hit our stride and look forward to sharing more of what we’ve been grinding away at very soon!

Over and out, Survivors!
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Twitter: twitter.com/survivetheark
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Youtube: youtube.com/survivetheark