Ark: Survival Ascended has experienced a remarkable series of updates and gameplay enhancements from Studio Wildcard throughout 2024. This engaging survival game, teeming with dinosaurs and other extraordinary creatures, has introduced significant visual upgrades and expanded maps unavailable in its predecessor, Ark: Survival Evolved. However, the journey has not been without its challenges, as delays in releases have led to uncertainty about the game’s trajectory, including the long-awaited sequel, Ark 2. As this marks the inaugural full year of Survival Ascended, players can anticipate continued progress aimed at enhancing quality of life and expanding gameplay mechanics.
Future Plans for Studio Wildcard
What can the community expect from Studio Wildcard regarding the future of the series? Given that the Extinction expansion was released almost two months behind schedule, it raises questions about potential further delays for Ark 2. Players may find themselves anticipating an additional year wait for this title. The roadmap for Survival Ascended hinted at various forthcoming updates, although the specifics remain scarce. For the moment, players should focus on enjoying the Extinction expansion while keeping their ears to the ground for additional updates.
Updates on Ark 2
Release Potential in 2025
The buzz surrounding Ark 2 has been more rumor than fact, with some community members jokingly speculating that it might never launch. The game’s storyline revolves around the character Santiago, who embarks on a quest to protect his daughter Meeka, voiced by notable actors Vin Diesel and Auli’i Cravalho. The presence of such esteemed voice talent naturally raises expectations; however, current project updates remain limited, leaving fans eager for more concrete news.
Watch Ark 2 Trailer
Studio Wildcard has confirmed that Ark 2 is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, marking a significant technological advancement for the studio. According to the official Ark website, the delay may be linked to the complexities of integrating this new engine, as the studio is committed to leveraging UE5’s capabilities to enhance overall quality. While the late 2024 release has been hinted at, there is no confirmed official launch date for Ark 2 as of now.
Future Content for Ark: Survival Ascended
Expansions Scheduled for 2025
Studio Wildcard has somewhat adhered to its release roadmap for Survival Ascended, which implies that an abundance of improvements is on the horizon. The latest expansion, Extinction, transports players to a post-apocalyptic setting overloaded with new creatures and remnants of a once-thriving civilization. Notably, this expansion launched nearly two months late, raising doubts about the consistency of future roadmap adherence.
Looking ahead, there are plans to roll out additional content for Survival Ascended through the latter half of 2025, with at least six more updates anticipated. These upcoming expansions will introduce diverse maps featuring intriguing elements like crystal formations and colony ships. Although few details about specific content have been released, expected names include Valguero, Genesis Parts 1 and 2, Crystal Isles, Lost Island, and Fjordur. The upcoming maps will hopefully be unaffected by previous delays, and players are excited to see how the developers utilize UE5 technology moving forward.
Challenges for Ark: Survival Ascended
Urgent Bug Fixes and Balance Updates Required
Among the primary concerns expressed by players of Survival Ascended is the persistence of bugs initially present in Ark: Survival Evolved. After a full year since its launch, many gamers are demanding resolutions to progression bugs that hinder their gameplay experience. Numerous issues exist, such as single-player saves frequently malfunctioning and leading to the loss of significant progress. Additionally, challenges arise due to dinosaur spawns within location meshes, impeding players’ ability to loot or eliminate them, complicating progression.
As the gaming community looks toward 2025, there is hope that these bugs will be addressed, alongside essential quality-of-life enhancements as Studio Wildcard navigates the intricacies of UE5. A thorough reevaluation of existing traits would be greatly appreciated, particularly the introduction of combat-centric traits that could significantly enhance gameplay dynamics. Players have high expectations for the next year of Ark: Survival Ascended, and it will be interesting to see how Studio Wildcard responds to the ever-evolving demands of its community.
Sources: Ark: Survival Ascended/YouTube, Ark
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