Here's the patch notes for v0.1.0.4:

• Fixed lighting artifacts and performance improvement
  
• Removed customers asking for items from locked licenses
  
• Switched electric bills to be calculated only during the day. The bills won't increase when you take too long to restock before or after the day, from now on.
  
• Reduced bank loan interests
  
• Reduced the cost of purchasing storage area
  
• Visual bugFixes
  
• Translation fixes

Please let us know when you encounter any issue on our Discord or Steam community so that we can fix it asap.

HOTFIX

- Doing a hotfix for the tree model becoming a wrong tree and a rock after x).

It take so much time to get the update out. I start the rest of the map but forget to fix the tree.

OUPS!

• - Added Compatibility Mode launch option. In most setups, this is a much worse way to play Shadowkin, however there is some hardware configurations where Shadowkin actually runs better in this mode. If you're unable to launch the game or suffer unusual lag spikes, give it a shot and see if it's better for you.

Greetings Auraxians!  

For this month’s dev letter, we wanted to share something a little different – a behind the scenes look at the process our artists go through when creating new items in PlanetSide 2. Our example piece for this behind-the-scenes look is the new Lunar Dragon Helmet available in the Lunar New Year Bundle [2024]. We hope you enjoy a peek behind the curtain!  

The process begins with a planning phase. During this time, ideas are presented to be made into an asset for an in-game event or update. Let's look at the Lunar New Year event as an example.  

This year we decided to create a unique helmet for the event. 

After consulting with our Game Designers about any specific requirements, the process is taken over by the Art Department. 

The Lunar New Year is a celebration that marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of a fresh lunar cycle. Honored by many cultures across Asia, the way it's celebrated is unique to each place. It is the most important holiday for the Chinese (Spring Festival) and is widely celebrated by Vietnamese (Tet Nguyen Dan), Koreans (Seollal), Mongolians (Tsagaan Sar), and many others.  

The intricacies of traditions around the holiday are diverse, so we focused on the largest groups finding the most common element that overlaps. In this case, the Dragon zodiac symbol and the colors used during the festivities such as Gold (Yellow) and Silver (White). This is our foundation behind the helmet, decal, banner, frame, and nudge ideation. The work on the helmet starts with focusing on the keywords: Dragon, Fire, Asia, Red, Yellow, PlanetSide2, Sci-Fi. 

We then visualize a concept of an idea. 


From here the idea is born and we have a helmet influenced by Asian cultures in the PlanetSide 2 style. It incorporates a dragon head, red and yellow as the primary colors, and faction specific tints for additional details.  

Next, we move on with exploring designs and shapes. At this stage, the shape becomes the primary focus. 


We then decide on three distinct ideas and present them for consideration. 

After contemplating the scope of work, we choose a final direction. 


Next, we shift our focus towards functional and technical examination of the asset.  

Taking everything into account, we start the linework, proportions of different elements, and we begin fine tuning the silhouette followed by adding in the details.  

The idea is that the entire helmet is the dragon's head. The emptiness of the dragon's mouth will be represented by a dark visor hiding the player's face. 


Linework is finished up and we move on to grayscale painting to block out the contrast.  

The goal here is to have a clear separation of different elements without the dramatic difference in contrast between two close parts (we might just reserve that for a few focus points).  


At this stage we consider how the asset will exist within the environment, like hinting the faction colors, technical limitations, etc.  

In this case, faction colors will be in the second plan, while the colors associated with the Lunar New Year will be brought to the first plan. The objective is to make the asset stand out without disrupting the sense of belonging.  



We use the colors to further emphasize the face of the dragon, separate different elements, and provide space for hinting the player's faction. 

For high production level work, we usually do not make highly detailed concept renders, a simple reference to work from is all that our 3D artist requires. 


Once the concept is done and approved, we move on to creating the 3D asset. 

In this step, we make sure that the 3D artist understands the idea behind the concept. In this case, it just so happens that the 2D concept did not translate perfectly into 3D. This is why effective communication and direction is needed. It ensures a smooth transition into this step. This minimizes the need for 3D model corrections later on. 




The base model is now textured and complete. We can move on to setting up the faction tints on the pre-agreed elements. In this case, the tints are deliberately subtle to not take away from the spirit of the helmet, which celebrates the Lunar Year.


The model is then sent to an animator for rigging and once rigged it is imported into the Engine. There, the shaders are set up and adjusted for the finishing touches bringing the helmet to life.

- PlanetSide 2 Team

Check out our first devlog to see our recent progress in revamping the graphics and animation for our first cutscene!











Tune in tonight for our first Q&A livestream at 9PM EST. Here you can get updates on the game, askquestions, or just hang out while we work on completing this game for YOU to play this summer!

Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/lncrPIuAFxQ?feature=share

• Eastern Invasion
  • Many minor bugfixes

• Heir to the Throne
  • Fix S17 to ensure the starting castle always has 6 hexes for recruiting (PR #8314)
    
  • Clarify S11's objectives by editing the map (no string changes) (PR #8326)
    
  • Add decorations and map embellishments to S16, S19a and S22 (PR #8243)
    
  • Use swamp terrain instead of sand for S19b (PR #8243)

• Under the Burning Suns
  • Improve continuity between events that can be triggered in various orders.
    
  • Adjust Fighter unit line for easier early leveling and more late game staying power.

• World Conquest
  • Fix the Bezoar artifact (issue #6513)

• Assume that all players need a copy of an add-on, by defaulting `require_modification`/`require_campaign` to `yes` (PR #8135)

• Added documentation for linting and IDE support

• Add CMake and SCons options to use an already installed copy of Lua 5.4 (PR #8234)
  • The system copy of Lua must be compiled as C++ rather than C, as Wesnoth uses C++ exceptions.
    
  • Windows requires a compile-time change to Lua, so must use the in-tree Lua submodule.

• New translation: Bengali
  
• Updated translations: Arabic, British English, Czech, Finnish, French

• War Harbinger: +3 HP (29 -> 32), XP to 100, cost +2g (41 -> 43), removed forest and village dodge modifiers
  
• Dark Omen: removed forest and village dodge modifiers
  
• Raven: removed forest and village dodge modifiers

• New multiline textbox and numerical spinner widgets (PR #8199)

• Added a composite hero/leader ellipse, in case an author forgets to `UNMAKE_HERO` when converting to a leader (PR #8375)
  
• `[event]name=unit_placed` is now non-undoable by default (issue #7780)
  
• `[scroll]` now includes a delay, this was needed for visual effects such as the `QUAKE` macro

• Fix some logs not being included in the logfile (issue #8108)
  
• Multiple fixes to handling of Lua errors, some of which could cause a crash (PR #8234)
  
• When WML specifies a unit or unit type’s gender, automatically include that in the .po files as a translation hint
  
• Make sure `transform_unit` doesn't heal the unit when removing objects (PR #8147)
  
• Fixed bugs in the rushers recruit AI (issue #8297)
  
• Savefiles now include the ID of the core in use

We’ve made the decision to postpone the Center as it wasn’t on track to launch with the level of quality we require. Our dedicated partners – who have been working on the Center while we focus on Scorched Earth – need more time to make sure it meets our expectations, and yours. We’re sorry for this change in plans but we know it will be well worth it when the Center launches!

We’d like to offer something for you to sink your teeth into right now though! The Gigantoraptor, originally intended to debut alongside 'The Center', will be released on Wednesday, Feb 28th for all Survivors on The Island. We hope your new majestic companion will keep you company while you wait for its home-map to receive its glow-up. In preparation for Gigantoraptor launch on Wednesday, we’ll be releasing a major version patch on Monday.

Thanks as always for your support. We’re thrilled with what we have in store for ARK: Survival Ascended over the coming months and look forward to sharing it with you. Between the Gigantoraptor next week and Scorched Earth on April 1st, there’s plenty of fresh ARK content heading your way!





Download in full resolution


Common Name: Oasisaur
Species: Oasisaur zurzura
Time: Unknown
Diet: Herbivore
Temperament: Friendly


Where do I start with Oasisaur zurzura? Like most of the unique wildlife I’ve encountered here, this flying island feels like something from legendary fantasy. It’s as big as a Titanosaur, but somehow it can still defy gravity!

My hunch is that Oasisaur consumes great bunches of vegetation at once, so a handful of berries wouldn’t be an enticing enough offering. You’d have better luck courting its affection with a topiary or potted shrub, as long as you’re ready to chase rival suitors off the behemoth’s back.

This roaming oasis carries soil on its back so fertile that anything planted in it will flourish, even if practically ignored. And that back seems like it has room enough for a small neighborhood... 


This living landmass will nurture its longer-term inhabitants. That friendship is worth the time investment, because favored residents get access to a pool with truly miraculous properties. For starters, its restorative waters will cure bathers of nearly any illness or affliction.

Most unbelievably, the wellspring of an Oasisaur can reincarnate your lost animal friends! Whether by transcendental magic or access to the mysterious technologies of these ARKs, I’ve seen a fallen pet returned to newborn life by committing their essence to that rejuvenating pool.





Download & play new custom content created by players, including new maps, creatures, items, and game modes, through a dedicated new Mod-bowser directly within the game. Enjoy an endless stream of new ARK content as the creativity and talent of the community is fully unleashed for the first time across gaming platforms and stay tuned as we spotlight more Cross-Platform Mods each week!

This video features:

• Deimos Cosmetics: Alien skin by SurviveDeimos
  
• Deimos Cosmetics: Rat skin by SurviveDeimos
  
• Ride A Dodo by Schnett
  
• Fancy Furniture by jessecoleman86
  
• Spectral Suit by Ave
  
• Vergil Chair by redgear17
  
• Cliffan’s Weapons: Western by Cliffan
  
• Cliffan’s Weapons: Modern by Cliffan
  
• MXOA Unicorn by MobEvents
  
• Z-Dino Variants by Izurichan93
  
• Z-Variants Otter Edition by Izurichan93

• Deimos Cosmetics: Alien skin by SurviveDeimos
  
• Ride A Dodo by Schnett
  
• Fancy Furniture by jessecoleman86
  
• Spectral Suit by Ave
  
• Vergil Chair by redgear17
  
• Deimos Cosmetics: Rat skin by SurviveDeimos

Download in full resolution

Love conquers all... even time!
Our Love Ascended event has been extended until Monday, February 26, 2024, on Official Servers.

• PVP/PVE: 2x Harvesting, Taming, Experience, and Breeding
  
• Small Tribes: 5x Harvesting, Taming, and Experience + 4.5x Breeding
  
• ARKpocalypse: 5x Harvesting, Taming, Experience, and Breeding

For full details, check out this post!



Fan Art Gallery | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form

Help us discover your talent by tagging your art with #ARKPhotoMode or #ARKFanart on social media!



Creator: Etholdir
Learn how to make a beautiful Japanese-inspired pagoda with the help of this step-by-step tutorial.


Creator: toastbloke
Toastbloke created a simple trap for the Baryonyx in ARK: Survival Ascended. It's cheap, easy to build, and works automatically without doors to allow safe trapping and taming.




Valentine Event by @maMe_buDo


Helena and Radar on Scorched Earth! by @laind004


Carnotaurus by FalconSaurusArt


Nova by Nachara


Blood Moon by @WolfTek7


Sol by Rhallwyn


Cat's Day by @falco_luna




The charm of ASA's photo mode! by @hamubarg


𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝔹𝕦𝕘 by @Muni_ark


Swimming time! by m130


Zzz by cosmicman5455


Absolutely in love with the Z-Yutyrannus by @xSeamair


Enjoy your weekend!
Studio Wildcard

Twitter: twitter.com/survivetheark

Discord: discord.com/invite/playark

Reddit: reddit.com/r/playark

Instagram: instagram.com/survivetheark

Twitch: twitch.tv/survivetheark

Steam: steamcommunity.com/app/346110

Youtube: youtube.com/survivetheark

Facebook: facebook.com/survivetheark

Threads: threads.net/@survivetheark

Official Wiki: https://ark.wiki.gg/wiki/ARK_Survival_Evolved_Wiki

New Content
• Seraph, a new Star Sign universe, has been discovered! Unlock 58 star signs across Chronus and Hydron universes to gain access to this 3rd universe!
• Unlock 16 new Star Signs within the Seraph universe!
• Complete 9 new Constellations hidden throughout World 6! I found the one on Sprout Spirit map, and another on River Spirit map, the other 7 will be up to YOU to find!
• Skilley Skillet Guild Bonus added. Find it in the Guild Bonus tab!
• [Music] Added Soundtracks to all 3 World 5 zones & added Sound Effects to all World 4 monster deaths.


Balance Changes
• Added a RECLAIM button to Rockulyte's 3rd quest (in the Codex), letting you reclaim the Star Talent book if you're missing it.
• Added a reclaim button for Mman Quest, Vman quest, and Monolith, letting you reclaim those essential items if you're missing them or need them for some reason...
• Scripticus now "blah blah blah"s when you talk to them. In other words, MAJOR Scripticus buff.
• Nerfed enemy damage in world 5 and early world 6. They now deal less damge to you.
• Infinity Stars bonus from Rift will no longer give bonuses of Star Signs you haven't unlocked yet. This change will be very clear as the infinity symbol will now not be displayed on locked star-signs.
• RIP Post Office quickref (2020-2024)
• Bop Box shiny pet now gives infinity stars as a bonus instead of base WIS stat.


Bug Fixes
• [Mobile only] Buying new Land Plots in farming wont crash anymore -- this was only happening after buying 'OG' from Night Market, for those wondering.
• [Mobile only] Fixed a bug where Farming and Summoning EXP bars wouldnt show up when farming / summoning.
• Fixed a bug involving the use of insta-grow with the Overgrowth OG mechanic. It will now work exactly as you would think.
• Regalis will now properly spawn grey slimes while in battle.
• The latest Food Max Cap Bags were counted twice in slab, those duplicates were removed from slab.
• New worship skulls didn't have the correct stats for Worship Power & Max Charge. These have been fixed, and applied even if you already crafted them.
• Fixed a graphical bug where part of your Hotbar at the bottom of the screen would go grey when opening Cards
• "Super Chow" amount from Blood Berserker talent will count the kills of your 2nd Blood Berserker (if you have 2) on all platforms. If you only have 1 Blood Berserker, this fix doesn't affect you.
• Fixed a display issue involving portal kill requirements being shown incorrectly late in world 6
• Fixed a Sussy Gene Quest

We have received your reports from the battlefield commanders. It looks like the troops already need support so we are rolling out this hotfix as soon as possible.

• Fix for a save/load crash.
  
• Enabling unit responses and HUD voices (in English) for languages other than English. e.g. German players would hear nothing for these events, which is probably worse than hearing it in English.
  
• Mod manager has had some wording changed.

Removed a VERY pesky invisible wall at the end of the Adventure Map. You should be able to see the credits roll now!

-Logan