ARK: Survival Evolved News

ARK: Aquatica and ASE progress

Hello everyone,

[p]We have some progress updates to report surrounding ARK: Survival Evolved and the ARK: Aquatica DLC.[/p][p][/p][p]As of yesterday evening, the team was able to push a pre-aquatica release version of A.S.E. This allowed people to return and play a version of the game before the launch of ARK: Aquatica and progress has and will continue to be made to address lingering issues.[/p][p][/p][p]The branch is called "preaquatica". To navigate to the branch: [/p]

[p]Right Click ARK: Survival Evolved in your Steam Library[/p]
[p]Click Properties[/p]
[p]Betas[/p]
[p]Beta participation[/p]
[p]Opt into "preaquatica" branch[/p]

[p][/p][p]The branch is available for clients and dedicated servers now.[/p][p][/p][h3]Additional updates:[/h3][p]Today, an update was uploaded to the "preaquatica" branch:[/p]

[p]The ability to play all other officially released DLC maps has been restored.[/p]
[p]Progress on recovering the ability to load mods on the latest version of A.S.E. will be coming very soon. Currently a top priority.[/p]
[p]We have identified an issue with the game engine; a fix is in the works to address mods from instantly crashing.[/p]

[p]Other issues that are being targeted for an update later today:[/p]

[p]Linux Server packaged binaries missing.[/p]
[p]Fixed an issue with Official Small Tribe servers for the ARK: Aquatica map.[/p]
[p]Bounds of maps/objects causing people to be killed instantly.[/p]

[p][/p][p]We will continue to provide updates daily on issues as solutions are identified. [/p][p][/p][h2]For All ARK: Survival Evolved MOD Creators:[/h2][p][/p][p]This is an outreach for all ARK: Survival Evolved Mod creators. We would love to get in touch with you all as we are actively tracking the mods that will need updates as a community. Please contact the team via the ticket system in the #support channel on the Official ARK Aquatica Discord.[/p][p][/p][p]Look forward to more updates soon, we are dedicated to making sure that fixes continue to come.[/p]

Snail Games apologizes for Ark Aquatica DLC as update breaks the survival game

Ark: Aquatica was supposed to be a special celebration of Studio Wildcard's original survival game, but it's been met with a hugely negative response as many players find their saves unplayable, settings reset, and mod compatibility broken. The underwater expansion has just launched to mark ten years of Ark Survival Evolved, reimagining the world and giving a reason to return from its newer Unreal Engine 5 remaster. Unfortunately, an accompanying update appears to have caused a plethora of issues with the core game, even affecting players who haven't bought the new DLC.

Read the rest of the story...

ARK: Aquatica and A.S.E. announcement

[h2]Hello everyone,[/h2][p][/p][p]We wanted to make this announcement today to apologize for the issues currently affecting both ARK: Survival Evolved as well as the ARK: Aquatica DLC.[/p][p][/p][h3]*UPDATE*[/h3][p]We have enabled a public branch of the game that was the previous build before the update at launch (7/15). Players will be able to opt into that branch and continue to play A.S.E. pre-Aquatica release[/p][p][/p][p]The branch is called "preaquatica", in order to navigate to the branch:

Right Click ARK: Survival Evolved in your Steam Library -> Click Properties -> Betas -> Beta participation -> "preaquatica"[/p][p][/p][p]The branch is available for clients and dedicated servers. We will be working on fixing mods in the main branch in the coming days. If you are unable to see this branch, please restart/exit Steam.[/p][p][/p][p]Even if you have purchased Aquatica, you can use the branch to get back to the mods while we update![/p][p][/p][p]If you haven’t purchased Aquatica yet, you can now launch the pre-Aquatica version to play with your existing mods.[/p][p]Take advantage of the introductory Aquatica discount in the meantime — you can buy it now and play later once fixes have been made.[/p][p][/p][h3]In order to properly address current issues, we are currently asking for reports of issues to be made in the proper Discord channel listed here: bug-reports-forum. The Official ARK: Aquatica Discord is currently being looked at as the primary source for gathering all issues.

We ask that players make sure to document bugs and be able to present them in a forum post on discord as accurately and well constructed as possible.[/h3][p][/p][h3]Community members are already contributing by forming active mod-tracking sheets as well as the Aquatica Discord staff team logging active issues. Please join us![/h3][p][/p][h3]We ask for patience, collaboration and trust that fixes are coming to both ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Aquatica. We remain dedicated to making sure that ARK: Survival Evolved is celebrated for this 10 year milestone.[/h3][p][/p][p][/p]

ARK: Aquatica is out now!

[h2]Available now on Steam! ARK: Aquatica DLC is here![/h2][p]The 10-year celebratory ARK DLC is officially here, make your way over to the DLC page and take advantage of our limited time introductory sale![/p][p][/p][h2]Launch Trailer[/h2][p]The Official Launch Trailer was made again by an incredible community creator: Jukari. Thank you and your team for all of your hard work for multiple trailers![/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h2]Here's a basic run-down of the DLC's contents![/h2]

[p]The first submerged ARK DLC with expansive underwater gameplay brings:[/p]
- [p]21 New Creatures[/p]
- [p]74 New Engrams with 7 Tek Engrams[/p]
- [p]5 New, Unique biomes[/p]
- [p]A narrative that bridges muiltiple ARKs[/p]
- [p]Official server support for Aquatica only through 2025[/p]
- [p]Small Tribe servers[/p]
- [p]PVP servers that are immediately transferrable[/p]
- [p]Updated Devkit coming for mods that need updates[/p]

[p]We look forward to hearing feedback and bug reports through the Steam Discussions as well as our community Discord! Make your way to the #bug-reports channel as well as #bobs-with-probs for any issues you may encounter, the community is banding together to help each other quickly![/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

ARK: Aquatica, Pre-Release Dip

[h2]ARK: Aquatica release is upon us![/h2][p]With the impending release, we wanted to provide some answers and information to the community that have come up over the past few days. Make sure to join the Discord for more information and join the rest of the community![/p][h3][/h3][h2]Official Server Support[/h2]

[p]Official Servers will be available and supported through the end of 2025, with the possibility of extension[/p]
[p]Small Tribe Official Servers will also be launching alongside standard ones[/p]
[p]Official support will only be for the Aquatica DLC map[/p]
[p]Regular PVP servers will have transfers available immediately upon release.[/p]
[p]Game version will also be updated to the live ASE version.[/p]
[p]DLC and Game servers live starting 7/15, Tuesday at 10AM PST
[/p]

[hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Modding and Developer Kit Update[/h2][p]To support ARK: Aquatica's expanded engine capabilities, we’ve updated the game's memory and shader systems. This may require some mods to be recompiled.[/p]

[p]A new DevKit will be released in the coming weeks[/p]
[p]This will allow creators to update and optimize their mods for compatibility.
[/p]

[h3]It is our priority to ensure the modding community - which has kept the ASE system going for over 10 years - is supported and celebrated.[/h3][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Pricing and Launch Discount[/h2][p]ARK: Aquatica will have an introductory launch sale for a limited time![/p]

[p]Base Price: $14.99[/p]
[p]Introductory Launch Sale: 40% off — available for $8.99 for a limited time only
[/p]

[hr][/hr][h2]
Community Events[/h2][p]Yes, community events will be going on for ARK: Aquatica, here are a few listed events to look forward to, with more information releasing soon![/p][p][/p][h3]Aquatica Building Contest[/h3]

[p]Show off your best underwater base-building skills. Submit on Steam Discussions, make sure to link your steam post in Discord, in a specified channel.[/p]
[p]Top 3 winners each week receive Steam Gift Cards ($100,$50,$25)[/p]
[p]First place winners will also receive an Aquatica Merchandise Pack[/p]

[h3]Unique Tames Showcase[/h3]

[p]Which creatures will you bring into the deep through mutation? Show us your most unique or effective underwater tame/tame(s)[/p]
[p]Submit on Steam Discussions with a short write-up on your choices, make sure to link your steam post in Discord, in a specified channel.[/p]
[p]50 unique winners selected for creativity and effectiveness.[/p]
[p]Winners receive $25 Steam Gift Card codes [/p]

[h3]TikTok Creator Campaign[/h3]

[p]Content creators, this one’s for you. Look out for our official TikTok Creator Campaign via the TikTok Gaming Incentive Program.[/p]

[h3]Noiz Quests[/h3]

[p]Another one for the content creators, check out the incoming quests via Noiz.gg[/p]

[p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Sneak Peek - Aquatica Bosses[/h2][p]A few teasers of the bosses to follow![/p][p][/p][h3]Vulcanithys[/h3][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]This Serpent has spent eons absorbing energy form nearby lava pools. It emanates extreme heat and seems to thrive inside the crushing pressure that somehow keeps lava from solidifying in the Boiling Sea.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Fractalis[/h3][h3][/h3]

[p]A massive Crystal that seems to thrum with some unknown energy. It shifts in and out of reality, causing energy waves from nearby crystals. Don't get too close, or it may pull you into another reality as well.[/p]

[p]Additionally, more bosses can be discovered in-game:[/p][p][/p][h3]Cymathoa[/h3][p][/p][h3]Pygocentrus[/h3][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]More details, trailers, and patch notes to come as launch approaches.[/p][p]ARK: Aquatica is almost here — get ready to dive in.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p]