ARK: Survival Ascended

ARK Dragontopia and ARK Tides of Fortune launched on July 3, 2026, introducing expansive new gameplay elements, including a high-altitude world filled with dragons and naval combat features. ARK Genesis Ascended Part 1 also released on the same day, marking a significant addition to the game's narrative with new challenges and adventures.

• Major DLC Releases:
  • ARK Dragontopia: Explore a new high-altitude world filled with dragons and aerial challenges.
  • ARK Tides of Fortune: Experience naval combat and treasure hunting in a new expansion featuring customizable vessels.
  • ARK Genesis Ascended Part 1: A story-driven beginning in ARK's saga with new gameplay elements.

• New Creatures and Characters:
  • Lumina: A new tameable dragon introduced in Dragontopia, enhancing gameplay with speed and unique abilities.
  • New Companions: Introduced the Tidepup and Palaeoctopus, each providing support and unique gameplay mechanics.

• New Gameplay Mechanics:
  • Ship Combat Mechanics: Players can manually aim and fire broadside cannons.
  • Customizable Naval Fleet: Construct various ships, enhancing naval exploration and combat.
  • Dragon Skill Trees: A new progression system for strengthening bonds with dragons.

• Balance Changes and Tuning:
  • Increased damage for the Hand Cannon by 300%, enhancing combat effectiveness.
  • Adjustments to the Therizinosaurus behavior, making them more patient before attacking.

• Seasonal Events:
  • Summer Bash Event 2026: Running from July 17 to August 5, this event introduced summer cosmetics and inflatable furnishings.

Ragnarok Ascended Expansion launched on June 20, 2025, marking a significant milestone in ARK: Survival Ascended's second year. This expansion brought a remastered version of Ragnarok, introducing new lands and encounters. Additionally, the Astraeos map debuted earlier in February, offering players a vast new world steeped in Greek mythology. The introduction of the Lost Colony Expansion Pass further expanded gameplay possibilities with new companions and structures.

• Major Content Drops:
  • Ragnarok Ascended Expansion (June 20, 2025): Features a remastered map with new gameplay elements.
  • Astraeos Map (February 15, 2025): A new Official Partner DLC, available for $14.99.
  • Extinction Ascended and Bob's Tall Tales (December 20, 2024): Introduced new environments and gameplay features.

• New Content:
  • Valguero Ascended Launch (October 8, 2025): A remastered map with ten distinct biomes.
  • Elderclaw Companion (October 8, 2025): New mystical companion included with the Lost Colony Expansion Pass.
  • New Creatures: Added Megaraptor, Ice Golem, and Chalk Golem among others.

• Gameplay Enhancements:
  • New Mod-Browser Feature (October 17, 2025): Players can now easily access and download custom content.
  • New Player Skill Tree (June 20, 2025): Introduced a skill system for player specialization.

• Balance Changes:
  • Adjustments to creature spawn rates and combat mechanics to improve overall gameplay experience.

• Seasonal Events:
  • 10th Anniversary Event (June 5-17, 2025): Celebrated a decade of ARK with special bonuses and activities.
  • Summer Bash Event (July 2-17, 2025): Offered various bonuses and activities for players.

Aberration Ascended and Bob's Tall Tale: Steampunk Ascent launched on September 5, 2024, marking a significant expansion for ARK: Survival Ascended. This update introduced new creatures, structures, and gameplay mechanics, alongside the Aberration Ascended DLC, which added a new map filled with challenges and ecosystems. Players also saw the release of The Center Ascended, a massive new map that nearly doubles the size of The Island.

• Major Content Drops:
  • Aberration Ascended launched on September 4, 2024, featuring a new map and gameplay elements.
  • ARK Fantastic Tames DLC introduced fantasy creatures like the Pyromane on June 5, 2024.
  • Frontier Adventure Pack and Power Rangers Wave 2 were announced, adding themed content in early 2024.

• New Content:
  • The Center Ascended Map debuted on June 3, 2024, with diverse biomes.
  • New Creatures included the Fasolasuchus and elemental Wyverns, available since April 2, 2024.
  • New Boss Encounter: Players faced the Manticore, the fiercest boss, starting April 2, 2024.

• New Systems/Mechanics:
  • Custom Mod Browser launched, allowing players to download new maps and creatures directly in-game on October 5, 2024.
  • New Crafting Options introduced various gear and structures for heat resistance on April 2, 2024.

• Balance & Gameplay Changes:
  • Increased Rates for Aberration Official Servers were set to 2x for the first two weeks after launch on September 4, 2024.
  • Server Transfers were enabled, allowing item and character movement between maps starting February 8, 2024.

• Seasonal Events:
  • Summer Bash Event ran from July 3 to July 17, 2024, featuring bonuses and new items.
  • Love Ascended Event celebrated Valentine's Day from February 13 to February 20, 2024, with themed items and boosts.