Happy New Year and welcome back, we hope you had a fantastic holiday season and are feeling rested after spending quality time with family, friends, and dinos! We’re going to cut straight to chase and bring you in to take a quick glance at a very high-level ASA content roadmap.

Get ready for the next chapter in the ARK universe, ARK: Lost Colony drops this November, with pre-orders starting in April, when you’ll be able to enhance your immediate survival with early access to new gameplay systems and exclusive content.

Prior to Lost Colony’s November launch, the team also has scheduled these major content releases:

• March 2025: ASA Unreal Engine 5.5 update
  
• April 2025: Free Ragnarok Ascended, Bison (Free Creature), and a Fantastic Tame
  
• June 2025: A new premium map in June (to be announced)
  
• August 2025: Free Valguero Ascended with a community-voted free creature, and Fantastic Tame

With the ongoing work throughout the year, we want to take a bit more time to give the Genesis Ascended remaster the love and attention it deserves, and we’re now looking at:

• April 2026: Free Genesis Ascended Part 1 & Bob's True Tales Part 1
  
• August 2026: Free Genesis Ascended Part 2 & Bob's True Tales Part 2
  
• December 2026: Free Fjordur Ascended with a community-voted free creature
  
• 3 Fantastic Tames spread throughout the year

Over the course of the year, we’ll be sharing juicy details, sneak peeks, and reveals about all of this and more in our crunches, so stay tuned for more news!

We still have a lot more going on behind the scenes so let’s touch on a few things the team’s currently working on:

• There’s steady progress being made on the Unreal Engine 5.5 upgrade, which will bring a range of impactful performance improvements along with our ongoing work splitting DLC maps into optional downloads so you’ll have more control over your storage space.
  
• Nvidia Frame Generation is also a priority, and we’re aiming to reintroduce it as an option very soon – we’re as eager to get it back in as you are to have it!

Throw in some more surprise content additions, and we’re looking at a jam-packed first quarter of 2025!
Since returning from the break, the team has been busy reviewing the feedback you've shared with us about Extinction and Bob's Tall Tales: Wasteland War. Your bug reports have been invaluable, and we want to extend a massive thanks to everyone who took the time to help us identify and address these issues.
Here’s what we’re focusing on right now:

• Creature spawning issues: We’re working on various creature spawn issues across Extinction.
  
• BattleRig functionality: Some of you have reported hiccups with the rigs, and we’re diving into the mechanics to ensure they’re running smoothly.
  
• Crash fixes: Stability is a top priority for us, and we’re tackling crashes reported during gameplay, particularly on specific hardware configurations.
  
• General improvements: Addressing bug reports that came in with the Extinction launch
  
• Fixing exploits: We’ve been iterating quickly on exploits that violate our Code of Conduct. Please report players breaking the CoC click here[support.survivetheark.com]

These updates will arrive along with a slew of miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements such as a bunch of Armadoggo fixes/QoL, fixing harvesting claimed nodes on PVE, various level design fixes (mesh holes etc), extinguisher grenade fixes, Tinkering Desk and more.
Keep those reports coming, and stay tuned for updates as we roll out a slew of fixes and improvements!


On Monday, January 13, Official Modded servers will receive config and settings updates:

• Nyrandil will be added to the cluster
  
  • Nyrandil players: Please ensure there’s nothing in your cloud storage, as the merge will remove all items.
• Atlantis transfers will open.
  
• Appalachia transfers will remain closed.

Thank you for your cooperation, and happy surviving!

Download & play new custom content created by players, including new maps, creatures, items, and game modes, through a dedicated new Mod-browser 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:

• Nekatus’ Nordic Skins[www.curseforge.com] by Nekatus_Modding
  
• Deimos Cosmetics: Roman Empire Wardrobe[www.curseforge.com] by SurviveDeimos
  
• Shoko’s Neon Cosmetic[www.curseforge.com] by Shokomaki
  
• No Untameables - Reaper Queens[www.curseforge.com] by Myrmecoleontidae
  
• Myrm’s custom Creations - Dracoteuthis[www.curseforge.com] by Myrmecoleontidae
  
• Paddletail Spino[www.curseforge.com] by MurtBurt
  
• The Extreme Creatures: Spino[www.curseforge.com] by Pat1419
  
• Arkology - Desolatitan[www.curseforge.com] by Dragonheart7998

ARKpocalypse servers have been wiped today!

What are ARKpocalypse?

• ARKpocalypse are monthly-wipe servers with higher than usual rates.
  
• Next wipe: February 7th, 2025

For this round, the following mods will be included: 

• Any Colour Sets [Crossplay][www.curseforge.com] by EclipseModding
  
• Auto Fishery[www.curseforge.com] by GaiaStudios
  
• Paleo ARK - Evolution | Apex Predators (Crossplay)[www.curseforge.com] by UpFromTheDepths
  
• Aussie Additions Diamantinasaurus[www.curseforge.com] by nickbs2
  
• Dino Shop[www.curseforge.com] by sektor50000
  
• Prefabs: Medieval Town[www.curseforge.com] by Gaia Studios
  
• Colossuscorpius[www.curseforge.com] by GryphePadar
  
• ARK Wilds: Sivatherium[www.curseforge.com] by wildwaghorn

You can join them by searching in the server browser! Happy Surviving!

This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until Monday, January 13.

• PVP/PVE: 2x Harvesting, Taming, and Experience, and Breeding
  
• Small Tribes: 4.5x Harvesting, Taming, and Experience + 4x Breeding
  
• ARKpocalypse: 5x Harvesting, Taming and Experience, and Breeding

Fan Art Gallery[survivetheark.com] | Screenshot Gallery[survivetheark.com] | Artist Feedback Form[docs.google.com]

Creator: LolsAtLance
Welcome to the ultimate All-in-One Wasteland Base building tutorial for ARK: Extinction Ascended!
Creator: PrettyLilFreak
The most complete guide on Gasbag, from their lore (probably) to their taming process, with a twist!
Corrupted Wyvern by heroicdino16
Delusional Crystal Wind Managarmr by @rianeko_mabi
Armadoggo by @SS38529630
Let's go buddy! by @falco_luna
And we can't live if we're too afraid to die by nanostel
Fan Art by akeunyub
The King of Shadows by starld77
Photo Mode by catcat_wesley
Wasteland Stego by nemesisstar
Photo Mode by ivydrax
Mad Max Ranch almost finished by venkou902189
Photo Mode by dinokiller120
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: steamoss.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

[drive.google.com]Survivors,

As the end of the year approaches, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on what makes this season truly special—not just the festivities, but the connections we share. For many, this time of year can be full of warmth and laughter, but it can also be a little lonely. That’s where gaming communities like ours shine brightest. Together, we’ve built a space where friendships thrive, adventures are shared, and no one has to face the world (or the wilds) alone.

It’s been a roar-some journey and we’re so grateful to have you along for the ride. From the epic stories you’ve created to the incredible support you’ve shown us, you’ve been at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re taming apex predators, building elaborate (or square) bases, or just enjoying the quiet beauty of a sunrise in-game, you’ve made this world, and our community, something truly special.

So, here’s to you, Survivors. To the friendships formed, the laughs shared, and the memories yet to come. As we step toward a new year together, we’re excited for what’s ahead—new challenges, new adventures, and, of course, more ways to bring us all closer and have fun.

Thank you for being part of our tribe. How ever you’re spending this season, know that you’re never alone here.

Stay safe, stay wild, and stay connected.


The Studio Wildcard Team