Ark: Survival Evolved has finally arrived on the Windows 10 store and as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, so if you bought the game digitally on Xbox One, you also already own it on Windows 10. Two versions for the price of one, basically.
Being Xbox Play Anywhere also means paraphernalia such as saved games, add-on content and achievements go with you as you hop between versions. Also the two multiplayer communities - Windows 10 and Xbox One - can play together.
Ark recently launched an Aberration expansion pack which, among many other things, has an enemy that can impregnate you! But if that's not your cup of tea, the new underground biome has plenty more treats in store, including loads of new beasties, equipment and adventures.
In the wake of its latest Aberration expansion, Ark: Survival Evolved has now launched on the Windows 10 Store as an Xbox Play Anywhere game.
Much like other games that have walked similar paths—like, say, Fallout Shelter and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard—this means PC players who access Ark via the Windows 10 Store can now join their Xbox counterparts on the same servers as friends or as foes.
"Tied to the players’ Microsoft account, Ark survivors can now pick up their adventure where they left off," explains a statement, "switching between their Xbox One and PC while taking their saved progress, Gamerscore, DLC, and achievements with them."
In his review earlier this year, Ian Birnbaum described Ark's post-Early Access release as "a bloated, grindy mess, but [is] so packed with options that a better game is hidden inside it."
Check out Ian's thoughts in full in this direction, and watch moving pictures of Ark's new Aberration expansion below:
As previously reported, you can also get Layers of Fear and its soundtrack for free. However, while it is included in the indie mega week sale, it's only free through 10 am Pacific tomorrow, Wednesday, December 20.
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First of all, a huge wholehearted thank you from everyone here at Studio Wildcard to the ARK Community! Since Aberration released we have received a number of kind messages of support for the game and our team. We appreciate each and every one of you; your feedback, creations, videos, live streams, drawings, screenshots, they mean everything to us and we will be forever grateful to the love you show our game.
Aberration has been available for a few days now and it has been an absolute blast. Seeing the game do so well on each platform, with so much fan support behind it is incredible. We're looking forward to the weeks ahead and can't wait to experience more of your Aberration stories!
In honour of Aberration's release, it's time to offer a bounty!
BOUNTY: ALPHA ABERRATION ENDBOSS
We're awarding $2000 to the first person who provides video proof of them defeating the Alpha Aberration Endboss on an Official Aberration server! Remember to include proof that this has taken place on an Official Server, you can do so by showing us the main menu which will indicate the server you're on!
Now that Aberration has been released the question on your mind might be: what's in-store next for ARK?
Today we're excited to share with you the first few images of our Dino TLC update that is currently being worked on. These images are still work-in-progress and are therefore subject to change before final release, but here are the updated Rex, Ape, and Dire Wolf models.
Studio Wildcard started out as a small studio and as we've progressed through ARKs development, we've grown tremendously! We've been able to bring on very talented animators and character artists to work on the project.
You've seen some of their work in our more recent creatures and expansion packs, and now they'll be taking their abilities and showing some love to some of the original creatures we launched with. We're excited to see where these creatures go with the new advanced techniques and can't wait to show you how they turn out!
These three are not the only models that are planned to be upgraded. We have more coming as well but that'll have to remain a Mysterious Mystery for now!
Ragnarok Update!
Ragnarok Fans! We've got some exciting news regarding the map and its development! In the coming week, Ragnarok will be approximately 100% complete internally, and we'll be releasing a PC update to add in the latest part of the map. We are expecting to deploy this update on Wednesday the 20th of December.
ARK: Super Fan Edition!
The Super Fan Edition of ARK: Survival Evolved is now available for purchase without the game or seasons pass included, for those who already own the game. Thanks for your patience on this, and we're excited to finally get those items out to you guys:
- HANDCRAFTED, LEATHER-BOUND EXPLORER'S NOTEBOOK: featuring the Dossiers of every creature you'll encounter in "ARK: Survival Evolved", with tips on capturing, taming and training them. With 100+ creatures in the game currently, there's plenty to read up on in this fantastic tome. - THE OFFICIAL ARK LOGO NECKLACE: to show your dedication to being a Survivor. - A CLOTH MAP OF THE ARK ISLAND: so you'll always know where you are! - SUPER FAN EDITION CHEST: All of this Ark-themed booty comes packed in a faux-wooden chest that will impress your friends and fellow players! - A POSTER FEATURING THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM BEHIND ARK - ARK OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK CD
You can purchase it worldwide today on our website: playark.com
Evolution Event
Survivors across ALL Platforms will be receiving a special Evolution Event perk this weekend! It's already live now and will remain active until Monday the 18th at 6 PM EST. All Official Servers will be undergoing this evolutionary change which includes:
2x Harvesting Rate 2x Taming Rate 2x EXP Rate
That's it for this post guys! As always if you’ve got anything to share please get in touch and be sure to follow us on:
First of all, a huge wholehearted thank you from everyone here at Studio Wildcard to the ARK Community! Since Aberration released we have received a number of kind messages of support for the game and our team. We appreciate each and every one of you; your feedback, creations, videos, live streams, drawings, screenshots, they mean everything to us and we will be forever grateful to the love you show our game.
Aberration has been available for a few days now and it has been an absolute blast. Seeing the game do so well on each platform, with so much fan support behind it is incredible. We're looking forward to the weeks ahead and can't wait to experience more of your Aberration stories!
In honour of Aberration's release, it's time to offer a bounty!
BOUNTY: ALPHA ABERRATION ENDBOSS
We're awarding $2000 to the first person who provides video proof of them defeating the Alpha Aberration Endboss on an Official Aberration server! Remember to include proof that this has taken place on an Official Server, you can do so by showing us the main menu which will indicate the server you're on!
Now that Aberration has been released the question on your mind might be: what's in-store next for ARK?
Today we're excited to share with you the first few images of our Dino TLC update that is currently being worked on. These images are still work-in-progress and are therefore subject to change before final release, but here are the updated Rex, Ape, and Dire Wolf models.
Studio Wildcard started out as a small studio and as we've progressed through ARKs development, we've grown tremendously! We've been able to bring on very talented animators and character artists to work on the project.
You've seen some of their work in our more recent creatures and expansion packs, and now they'll be taking their abilities and showing some love to some of the original creatures we launched with. We're excited to see where these creatures go with the new advanced techniques and can't wait to show you how they turn out!
These three are not the only models that are planned to be upgraded. We have more coming as well but that'll have to remain a Mysterious Mystery for now!
Ragnarok Update!
Ragnarok Fans! We've got some exciting news regarding the map and its development! In the coming week, Ragnarok will be approximately 100% complete internally, and we'll be releasing a PC update to add in the latest part of the map. We are expecting to deploy this update on Wednesday the 20th of December.
ARK: Super Fan Edition!
The Super Fan Edition of ARK: Survival Evolved is now available for purchase without the game or seasons pass included, for those who already own the game. Thanks for your patience on this, and we're excited to finally get those items out to you guys:
- HANDCRAFTED, LEATHER-BOUND EXPLORER'S NOTEBOOK: featuring the Dossiers of every creature you'll encounter in "ARK: Survival Evolved", with tips on capturing, taming and training them. With 100+ creatures in the game currently, there's plenty to read up on in this fantastic tome. - THE OFFICIAL ARK LOGO NECKLACE: to show your dedication to being a Survivor. - A CLOTH MAP OF THE ARK ISLAND: so you'll always know where you are! - SUPER FAN EDITION CHEST: All of this Ark-themed booty comes packed in a faux-wooden chest that will impress your friends and fellow players! - A POSTER FEATURING THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM BEHIND ARK - ARK OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK CD
You can purchase it worldwide today on our website: playark.com
Evolution Event
Survivors across ALL Platforms will be receiving a special Evolution Event perk this weekend! It's already live now and will remain active until Monday the 18th at 6 PM EST. All Official Servers will be undergoing this evolutionary change which includes:
2x Harvesting Rate 2x Taming Rate 2x EXP Rate
That's it for this post guys! As always if you’ve got anything to share please get in touch and be sure to follow us on:
Survivors will find themselves waking up on a derelict, malfunctioning ARK with an elaborate underground biome system, where they will face exotic new challenges unlike anything before: extreme radioactive sunlight and environmental hazards, ziplines, wingsuits, climbing gear, cave dwellings, charge-batteries, and far more, along with a stable of extraordinary new creatures await within the mysterious depths. But beware the ‘Nameless’: unrelenting, Element-infused humanoids which have evolved into vicious light-hating monstrosities! You’ll uncover the ultimate secrets of the ARKs, and discover what the future holds in store for those strong and clever enough to survive!
AN ARK GONE AWRY
Aberration places survivors on a damaged ARK: its internal atmosphere has leaked away, resulting in a harsh surface with intense radiation, and a plethora of lush biomes underground. With the maintenance systems of this ARK malfunctioning, the many hazards, creatures, and nature of the environment present a thrilling new world to explore and master.
TAME NEW CREATURES
The intense radiation of Aberration has led to incredible genetic mutations, resulting in new creatures with amazing abilities! Among others, clamber up walls & glide through the air on the back of a camouflaging chameleon-like ‘Rock Drake’, keep the dark at bay with a friendly ‘Lantern Pug’, grab and toss multiple creatures simultaneously with a massive ‘Cave Crustacean’, or -- if you are talented enough to tame one -- command the vile ‘Nameless Queen’ to impregnate your foes with a horrifying reproductive chest-burster!
CRAFT OVER 50 NEW ITEMS
New tools are on-hand to survive on the world of Aberration, while opening up many possibilities for new competitive and cooperative scenarios. Traverse the ARK using cave-climbing picks, gliding wingsuits, and ziplines. Learn advanced engrams to dominate the harsh environment, protect yourself with hazmat outfits, charge lanterns, explosive rounds, batteries, glowsticks, railguns and much more. Thrive by gathering new resources, using fishing baskets, gas collectors, fortify your home within the caverns using cliff structures, and much more!
CONQUER NEW CHALLENGES
Earthquakes, radiation exposure, gas leaks, and Element chambers are among the many hazards that survivors will learn to grapple with Aberration’s varied biomes, both aboveground and below the surface. But among the greatest challenges on this ruined ARK is the hierarchy of unrelenting Nameless, requiring constant vigilance & Charge Energy to defend against!
And in the deepest depths of Aberration, their terrifying -- yet somehow familiar -- master awaits… will YOU be among the survivors powerful enough to face him?
Working on Aberration has been a challenging and exciting time for us here at Studio Wildcard. Aberration is filled with new world building techniques and new mechanics that have never been seen in ARK before. We hope that you all enjoy playing in this new expansion pack, and we look forward to seeing your reactions, posts, videos, streams, artwork, and feedback as you explore the world of Aberration.
Thank you for your continued support, we would not be where we are today without you!
Survivors will find themselves waking up on a derelict, malfunctioning ARK with an elaborate underground biome system, where they will face exotic new challenges unlike anything before: extreme radioactive sunlight and environmental hazards, ziplines, wingsuits, climbing gear, cave dwellings, charge-batteries, and far more, along with a stable of extraordinary new creatures await within the mysterious depths. But beware the ‘Nameless’: unrelenting, Element-infused humanoids which have evolved into vicious light-hating monstrosities! You’ll uncover the ultimate secrets of the ARKs, and discover what the future holds in store for those strong and clever enough to survive!
AN ARK GONE AWRY
Aberration places survivors on a damaged ARK: its internal atmosphere has leaked away, resulting in a harsh surface with intense radiation, and a plethora of lush biomes underground. With the maintenance systems of this ARK malfunctioning, the many hazards, creatures, and nature of the environment present a thrilling new world to explore and master.
TAME NEW CREATURES
The intense radiation of Aberration has led to incredible genetic mutations, resulting in new creatures with amazing abilities! Among others, clamber up walls & glide through the air on the back of a camouflaging chameleon-like ‘Rock Drake’, keep the dark at bay with a friendly ‘Lantern Pug’, grab and toss multiple creatures simultaneously with a massive ‘Cave Crustacean’, or -- if you are talented enough to tame one -- command the vile ‘Nameless Queen’ to impregnate your foes with a horrifying reproductive chest-burster!
CRAFT OVER 50 NEW ITEMS
New tools are on-hand to survive on the world of Aberration, while opening up many possibilities for new competitive and cooperative scenarios. Traverse the ARK using cave-climbing picks, gliding wingsuits, and ziplines. Learn advanced engrams to dominate the harsh environment, protect yourself with hazmat outfits, charge lanterns, explosive rounds, batteries, glowsticks, railguns and much more. Thrive by gathering new resources, using fishing baskets, gas collectors, fortify your home within the caverns using cliff structures, and much more!
CONQUER NEW CHALLENGES
Earthquakes, radiation exposure, gas leaks, and Element chambers are among the many hazards that survivors will learn to grapple with Aberration’s varied biomes, both aboveground and below the surface. But among the greatest challenges on this ruined ARK is the hierarchy of unrelenting Nameless, requiring constant vigilance & Charge Energy to defend against!
And in the deepest depths of Aberration, their terrifying -- yet somehow familiar -- master awaits… will YOU be among the survivors powerful enough to face him?
Working on Aberration has been a challenging and exciting time for us here at Studio Wildcard. Aberration is filled with new world building techniques and new mechanics that have never been seen in ARK before. We hope that you all enjoy playing in this new expansion pack, and we look forward to seeing your reactions, posts, videos, streams, artwork, and feedback as you explore the world of Aberration.
Thank you for your continued support, we would not be where we are today without you!
A second expansion pack for Ark: Survival Evolved has launched on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It's called Aberration and it is, as the title suggests, unusual.
Aberration is the name of a malfunctioning Ark with an underground biome. There's radioactive sunlight, earthquakes, ziplines, wingsuits, climbing gear and weird creatures. There are spooky humanoids called Nameless, and Reapers who impregnate enemies to spawn offspring. Apparently if you let the Reaper Queen impregnate you, you spawn a Reaper you can tame and control.
It won't be the only new beast you can tame. You can climb and fly on the back of a camouflaged Rock Drake chamaeleon thing; you can stamp around with a giant Cave Crustacean, which is probably an overgrown crab; and you can light the way with a Lantern Pet.
Originally due in October, Ark's Aberration expansion lands today—bringing with it an new underground biome, dozens of alien-like dinos and over 50 new craftable items.
Despite not being much of a cave guy, Chris appeared to enjoy his hands-on time with Aberration last month, as he traversed its inhabitable and hazardous underground world where sunlight is apparently deadly. In turn, you should expect earthquakes, environmental pitfalls, ziplines, wingsuits, climbing gear, and, obviously, a cast of fantastically terrifying creatures.
Here's a look at some of that in video form:
And if that wasn't enough to contend with, developer Studio Wildcard warns we should "Beware the ‘Nameless’: unrelenting, Element-infused humanoids, which have evolved into vicious light-hating creatures, and the Reapers, massive alien monstrosities which can impregnate foes to spawn their offspring." Chris bills the latter process as a "rather messy chest-birth to a squirming worm grub" that's equally gross and fun. I'll take his word for it.
With new challenges and over 50 new craftable items to tinker with, Aberration provides plenty to get on with. Speaking to the new creatures, Studio Wildcard adds:
The intense radiation of Aberration has led to incredible genetic mutations, resulting in dozens of new creatures with amazing abilities! Clamber up walls and glide through the air on the back of a camouflaging chameleon-like ‘Rock Drake’, keep the dark at bay with one of four friendly ‘Lantern Pets’, or grab and toss multiple creatures simultaneously with a massive ‘Cave Crustacean’, or—if you are brave enough—allow the horrific Reaper Queen to impregnate you, and spawn a vicious male Reaper alien lifeform you can tame and control.
The Aberration expansion costs $20 standalone, and can also be purchased as part of the Ark season pass which includes Scorched Earth and an as-yet unspecified third expansion. We've been informed Aberration will go live at 6pm GMT/10am PT.
What an intriguing discovery survivors, what could this be?
Aberration Countdown Is On!
The wait is almost over! Aberration will have a simultaneous release across all three platforms at 8 AM Pacific Time on the 12th.
In “ARK: Aberration” Survivors will find themselves waking up on a derelict, malfunctioning ARK with an elaborate underground biome system, where they will face exotic new challenges unlike anything before: extreme radioactive sunlight and environmental hazards, ziplines, wingsuits, climbing gear, cave dwellings, charge-batteries, and far more, along with a stable of extraordinary new creatures await within the mysterious depths. But beware the ‘Nameless’: unrelenting, Element-infused humanoids which have evolved into vicious light-hating monstrosities! You’ll uncover the ultimate secrets of the ARKs, and discover what the future holds in store for those strong and clever enough to survive!
To help ease the pain of waiting over the next few days, feast your ears on Aberration's theme song, created by Gareth Coker.
One of our rewards for collecting donations during our Extra Life charity stream was to get a skin of your choice put into the game. Because our fundraising event was such an overwhelming success we decided to award the top four donators instead of just the top one. On December 12th, four new hat skins will be added to the game.
These skins were chosen by the top fund raisers: x3Belle, PepperJC, windxiv, and Dakhar, and the skins are the: Cute Dino Helmet Mask, Chili Mask, Otter Mask, and Scary Skull Mask respectively. These can be earned by defeating the boss on Aberration. Thank you once again to x3Belle, PepperJC, windxiv, & Dakhar, and to everyone who participated in our Extra Life event!
Sponsored Mod Program Update!
It’s another exciting month in the Sponsored Mod Program! The mod entering the program this month is not one that we think many people are aware of. The modder, B.Cheers, has been around the modding community for quite some time. Some of you might remember some of his older work like Ark Futurism or Storage+. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
This month we will be sponsoring ARK Futurism Final Existence. What’s really cool about this mod is that these are all custom assets made by B.Cheers. There’s no doubt a ton of work went into making all the content that’s in this mod. At the moment, there’s a mostly complete structure set that uses a half wall design. This offers more flexibility to all the ARK builders. More importantly, there are mechs that can equip armor and weapons! With the addition of Tek Tier, I knew someone would take it to the next level.
B.Cheers has a development tracker if you’d like to keep up to date with what he’s working on and things that are to come. We believe this mod has a really promising future and might serve as a supplement to your Tek Tier existence. Don’t take our word for it, be sure to check it out for yourself!
ARK: Evolution Event++ Weekend!
Survivors across ALL Platforms will be receiving a special Evolution Event perk this weekend! It's already live now and will remain active until Monday the 11th at 12 PM EST. All Official Servers will be undergoing this evolutionary change which includes:
Also, we won't be running an Evolution Event next weekend as we'll be taking a look at Aberration numbers and judging initial balance/feedback. Get in and take advantage of the rates whilst you can! :)
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To read the rest of the Community Crunch this week, check out our announcement post on survivetheark!
