ARK: Survival Evolved, the ground-breaking dinosaur survival game by Studio Wildcard, Grove Street Games, and Instinct Games, is stepping into a new era with its Unreal Engine 5 remake—ARK Survival Ascended. Currently available for PC in Early Access, the game will soon make its way to consoles, complete with full mod support.
The game will remain in Early Access until the end of 2024, providing ample time for essential updates and community feedback. Originally slated for simultaneous console release, the game’s PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions have been delayed to an unspecified date in November.
Studio Wildcard
The delay aims to address critical multiplayer issues that would significantly impact the console versions of the game.
ARK Survival Ascended offers a slew of improvements over its predecessor, thanks to its Unreal Engine 5 upgrade. The enhancements include:
- A complete overhaul of the game’s visuals and world.
- Advanced graphics settings such as Global Illumination and mesh streaming.
- New physics mechanisms like dynamic water and interactive foliage.
- A revamped UI, along with dynamic navigation, a new camera, maps, and tracking systems.
- Entirely new structures, items, and creatures.
Studio Wildcard
The game supports modding through an in-game Mod browser. It also offers cross-platform multiplayer for up to 70 players, private sessions for eight players, and a local split-screen experience.
The game includes previously released expansions like “The Island,” “Scorched Earth,” “Aberration,” “Extinction,” “ARK Genesis Part 1,” and “ARK Genesis Part 2.” While “The Island” is already accessible in Early Access, the remaining expansions will be added gradually at no extra cost.
For those eager to jump into the world of ARK Survival Ascended, the game is available at a 10% launch week discount price of $40.49 on Steam.
Whether you’re new to ARK or a veteran survivor, ARK Survival Ascended promises an immersive dinosaur-themed experience with its plethora of new features and improvements. For a sneak peek at what awaits, check out the game’s latest trailer.