ARK: Survival Evolved

ARK: Lost Colony launched on December 19, 2025, delivering a rich narrative experience that bridges the gap between Extinction and ARK 2. This update introduced new resources like Oil and Manganese to the Boiling Sea, alongside new floating foundation structures.

• New Gameplay Mechanics:
  • Players could now be impregnated by Abyssal Reaper Queens.
  • Element became a valid fuel source for Hydrospheres.
  • Most dinosaurs gained the ability to equip Infected Barnacle augments, with water and amphibious species receiving reduced benefits from swim speed augments.
  • The Dakosaurus's hibernate ability was enhanced to increase health regeneration.
  • The Tiktaalik could harvest Earthworm piles using its primary attack.

• Balance Changes:
  • Damage from lava in Aquatica was reduced.
  • Abyssal Reaper Queen spawns were increased in the Abyss.
  • The health of Alpha Abyssal Rex was boosted.
  • Aggro ranges for several water dinosaurs, including Megalodon and Dakosaurus, were reduced.
  • The spawn rate of Liopleurodon in Aquatica was decreased.

• Modding Updates: The DevKit was updated on the Epic Games Store, providing new tools for mod compatibility with the latest version.

• User Interface Improvements:
  • The Boot Weights HUD now toggled display options.
  • Empty news boxes and UI elements were removed from the Main Menu and singleplayer games.

• Performance Enhancements: Continued FPS and level optimization efforts were made to improve gameplay experience on all platforms.

• Quality of Life Adjustments: Pearl structure descriptions were updated to clarify their function in increasing water pressure acclimation speed.

ARK: Aquatica DLC launched on July 15, 2025, marking a significant expansion into underwater gameplay and introducing a host of new content. Alongside this, the Lost Colony expansion was released on June 22, 2025, connecting storylines from previous ARK installments. Players can explore 21 new aquatic creatures and 5 unique deep-sea biomes as part of these expansions.

• Major Content Drops:
  • ARK: Aquatica DLC launched on July 15, 2025, featuring expansive underwater gameplay.
  • Lost Colony expansion released on June 22, 2025, adding a new cinematic storyline.

• New Content:
  • Introduction of 21 new aquatic creatures, including the Tridacna and Mudpuppy.
  • 74 new engrams, including Tek Armor and Tek Turret, were added to enhance gameplay.
  • A new player skill tree became available, allowing for specialization across three distinct trees.

• New Gameplay Mechanics:
  • Official servers for Aquatica launched, providing dedicated environments for players.
  • Players were given access to a "preaquatica" branch for testing gameplay before the DLC release.

• Balance Changes:
  • Numerous balancing adjustments were made, including increased stats for specific aquatic creatures like the Malleocephalus and Tiktaalik.
  • Enhanced loot quality in Rift Supply Crates was implemented to reward players better.

• Seasonal Events:
  • Community events for Aquatica included a Building Contest and Unique Tames Showcase, encouraging player engagement and creativity.

ARK: Survival Ascended launched on October 26, 2023, introducing a reimagined version of ARK: Survival Evolved powered by Unreal Engine 5. This major update brought cross-platform multiplayer and enhanced graphics, alongside access to all ARK worlds, including Scorched Earth and Aberration. Players can now also enjoy a total UI revamp and a new building system overhaul, significantly enhancing gameplay experience.

• New Creatures: The titanic Dreadnoughtus made its debut, alongside other new creatures such as Fasolasuchus, Gigantoraptor, and Shastasaurus, each adding unique gameplay mechanics and challenges.
  • 11 New Creatures Planned: More creatures than any previous DLC will be introduced over time.
• Gameplay Systems: The introduction of a new Dino-Manager system allows players to track creature statuses in real-time, while a mini-map system enhances navigation. A dynamic navigation mesh and AI pathfinding overhaul improved creature behavior.
• Community Events: The Monarky's The Hunted Event featured over 30 content creators and ran until the launch of ARK: Survival Ascended. Additionally, multiple EVO Events offered increased gameplay bonuses leading up to the official server shutdown.
• Balance Changes: Movement speed leveling was disabled on the official network, and the breeding system underwent a significant overhaul, affecting mutation mechanics.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Players gained the ability to rent servers from Nitrado and access save games from the official network for self-hosting, streamlining gameplay management.

ARK: Survival Ascended launched on April 8, 2023, as a standalone package, marking a significant milestone for the franchise with remastered content. This period also saw the introduction of the ARK: The Survival of the Fittest Prototype on December 23, 2022, allowing up to 60 players to engage in a battle royale format.

• New Creatures:
  • Gigantoraptor was introduced on July 22, 2023, known for its nurturing abilities towards young creatures.
  • Rhyniognatha debuted on June 4, 2023, featuring unique abilities like producing quick-hardening resin.
  • Fasolasuchus was added to Scorched Earth, winning a community vote on June 4, 2023.

• Gameplay Enhancements:
  • An overhaul of the dynamic navigation mesh and AI pathfinding was implemented on April 8, 2023, improving creature movement.
  • Solo and Tribe Based Game Modes launched on December 23, 2022, enhancing competitive gameplay.
  • Classic PvP Season 7 began on August 28, 2023, introducing various gameplay changes.

• Quality of Life Improvements:
  • The removal of inventory management was announced on December 23, 2022, streamlining gameplay.
  • New features including an updated mini-map and queueing system were revealed on March 31, 2023.

• Seasonal Events:
  • The EVO Event provided various bonuses on Official Servers, including increased XP and harvesting rates, with notable events active in July and August 2023.
  • Fear Evolved 6, the Halloween event, ran from October 19 to November 2, 2022, featuring new chibis and event creatures.

• Balance Adjustments:
  • Significant rebalancing of weapons and armor occurred on December 23, 2022, to enhance player experience.

Fjordur DLC launched on June 12, 2022, introducing a new free map with a frosty Nordic theme that features several new creatures and dynamic world events. This update also enhanced gameplay with an experience and knowledge points system, revamped building mechanics, and improved combat systems.

• New Content:
  • Fjordur Map: Released on June 12, 2022, featuring unique environments and creatures.
  • New Creatures: Introduced Andrewsarchus, Desmodus, Fjordhawk, and Fenrir, each with unique abilities, on June 12, 2022.
  • Lost Island Map: Launched on December 14, 2021, with three new creatures and expansive biomes.
  • ARK: Dinosaur Discovery Game Mode: A kid-friendly mode launched on August 19, 2022.

• Gameplay Enhancements:
  • Experience and Knowledge Points System: Players could gain experience points and progress through a skill tree as of June 12, 2022.
  • Advanced Character Traversal Mechanics: New mechanics, including parkour and sliding, were introduced on June 12, 2022.
  • Dynamic World Events System: Unique occurrences were added to enhance immersion on June 12, 2022.

• Modding Support:
  • Cross-Platform Mod Support: Fully stackable user-created mods were supported across all platforms, launched on June 12, 2022.

• Seasonal Events:
  • Eggcellent Adventure 7 Event: Held from April 11 to April 25, 2022, featuring Bunny Dodos and holiday-themed cosmetics.
  • Turkey Trial 5 Event: A scavenger hunt event from November 23 to December 7, 2021, for Super-Turkeys.

• Balance Changes:
  • PvP Balance Adjustments: Focused on chain-stuns and crowd control mechanics, updated on October 9, 2021.

ARK: Genesis Part 2 launched on June 3, 2021, concluding the expansive narrative of ARK: Survival Evolved and introducing new challenges and environments. This period also saw the introduction of the Lost Island map on June 26, which added a massive new area to explore, along with exciting new creatures like the Amargasaurus and Dinopithecus.

• Major Content Drops:
  • ARK: Genesis Part 2 launched on June 3, completing the ARK saga.
  • ARK: Ultimate Survivor Edition launched on May 27, offering the definitive edition of the ARK franchise at significant discounts.
• New Content:
  • Lost Island Map introduced on June 26, featuring diverse biomes across 150 sq. kilometers.
  • New Creatures: Added several new creatures including Amargasaurus, Dinopithecus, and Astrodelphis throughout the window.
  • Powerful New Gear became available on June 3, including tools like the Hoversail and Tek Bow.

• Gameplay Enhancements:
  • Updated Small Tribes server rules to enhance gameplay experience and prevent teaming.
  • Introduced EVO Events with boosted rates for XP, taming, and harvesting, running throughout the year.

• Seasonal Events:
  • Summer Bash 2021 event ran from June 30 to July 14, featuring various bonuses and activities.
  • Winter Wonderland 5 returned from December 17 to January 7, bringing new presents and goodies for players.

• Balance Changes:
  • Adjustments to server rates, including Small Tribe Servers and Conquest Servers, providing increased XP, harvesting, and taming rates.

Crystal Isles Expansion Map launched on June 12, 2020, introducing a vast new area with diverse biomes and the new dinosaur, Tropeognathus. This expansion was part of a significant content drop in the year, which also included the ARK: Genesis Part 1 release on February 26, 2020, adding a new story chapter and gameplay features.

• New Content:
  • Tropeognathus: A new large pterosaur introduced with the Crystal Isles expansion, capable of aerial combat.
  • Crystal Wyverns: Three new types of breedable wyverns became available on the Crystal Isles map.
  • New Biomes: Players explored unique environments like The Great Valley and Emberfall.
  • HLN-A Companion: A robotic companion introduced to assist players with missions and challenges.
  • New Weapons and Tools: Included plasma claws, cruise missiles, and various new tools for gameplay enhancement.

• Gameplay Changes:
  • TLC Pass 3 Announcement: Announced in March 2020, aimed to upgrade classic creatures with new visuals and functionalities.
  • Enhanced Survival Challenges: New environmental challenges were introduced to test players' survival skills.

• Seasonal Events:
  • 5th Anniversary Event: Celebrated with increased rates and new chibi pets.
  • Summer Bash 2020: Featured from June 25 to July 14 with boosted rates for breeding, player XP, and taming.
  • Eggcellent Adventure 5 Event: Held from April 7 to April 21, offering holiday-themed content and Bunny Eggs.

• Balance Changes:
  • Official server rates were adjusted; harvesting, taming, and XP rates were increased from 2x to 1x as the new base rate.
  • Various creature adjustments were made, including buffs and nerfs to ensure balanced gameplay.

• New Systems:
  • Custom Boss Arena: Added for enhanced boss battle experiences in the Crystal Isles.

ARK: Extinction Expansion Pack launched on November 7, 2018, marking a significant addition to ARK: Survival Evolved by returning players to Earth with new challenges and creatures. Additionally, the Valguero Map was introduced on June 17, 2019, expanding the game's exploration options.

• New Creatures:
  • Deinonychus was added on June 8, 2019, featuring unique hunting and climbing abilities.
  • Tek Quetzal debuted on October 15, 2018, with a new breeding line and increased spawn chances.
• New Modes and Servers:
  • The Classic PvP Game Mode launched on April 2, 2019, providing a competitive experience with community-driven balance changes.
  • Conquest Servers were introduced on September 28, 2018, focusing on large-scale PvP with doubled rates for experience, taming, and gathering.

• Seasonal Events:
  • The Winter Wonderland 2018 event began on December 18, 2018, featuring holiday-themed activities with Raptor Claus and Gacha Claus.
  • Eggcellent Adventure 2019 took place from April 16 to April 30, introducing Bunny Eggs and festive items.

• Gameplay Changes:
  • Increased Rates on Conquest Servers doubled experience gain, taming, gathering, and breeding rates.
  • 2X Breeding Rates were implemented during events, enhancing mating intervals and egg hatch speeds.

• Quality of Life Improvements:
  • A new Whistle Land Flyer Command was added on December 18, 2018, allowing players to command flyers to land nearby.

ARK: Aberration Expansion Pack released on December 16, 2017, introduced a new underground biome system with unique challenges and creatures, greatly expanding gameplay options. Additionally, the announcement of ARK: Extinction on June 19, 2018, teased further content with a planned release on November 6, 2018. Players also enjoyed new gameplay mechanics and content throughout the year.

• New Content: The launch of ARK: Survival Evolved transitioned from Early Access to full release on August 29, 2017, and introduced four ARKs, including the Norse-inspired Ragnarok. Players found over 50 new crafting items and new creatures like the Rock Drake and Lantern Pug in the Aberration expansion.
  • Tek-themed Dinosaur Variants started appearing monthly, enhancing combat options.
  • ARKPOCALYPSE Servers launched on March 6, 2018, providing increased rates for taming, harvesting, and XP.

• Gameplay Changes: Major updates included a Triceratops charge attack and the introduction of new environmental challenges in the Aberration biome, such as earthquakes and radiation exposure.
  • The maximum player level was increased to 131, giving players more progression.
  • Cliff platforms became usable on all maps, enhancing building strategies.

• Seasonal Events: The ARK: Evolution Event provided special bonuses like 2x harvesting and taming rates during various weekends, keeping player engagement high.
  • The ARKaeology Event launched on June 15, 2018, allowing players to excavate fossil mounds for exclusive rewards.

• Balance Changes: The introduction of Heavy Turrets on November 27, 2017, significantly impacted base defense strategies, while adjustments to turret limits and various creature stats refined gameplay balance.

• Modding Updates: The integration of Structures Plus mod mechanics was discussed for future implementation, signaling ongoing support for community-driven enhancements.