ARK: Survival Ascended - A Deep Dive into the Ultimate Dinosaur Survival Experience

Imagine waking up on a strange and beautiful island, naked, freezing, and starving. This is your new reality in ARK, a world teeming with prehistoric creatures, both majestic and terrifying. This isn't just another survival game; it's an immersive experience that blends stunning visuals, deep crafting mechanics, and the thrill of taming dinosaurs. Whether you're a seasoned survivor or a newcomer eager to explore, ARK: Survival Ascended offers something for everyone. From exploring the depths of the ocean to soaring through the skies on a tamed Griffin, the possibilities are endless. The mysterious ARK itself is a formidable environment, composed of diverse landscapes and hidden secrets, waiting to be uncovered. You'll need to use all your skills and cunning to survive, build, and thrive in this challenging but rewarding world. Get ready to embark on an adventure where danger lurks around every corner, and survival depends on your ability to adapt, learn, and master the art of taming the wild.

ARK: Survival Ascended has completely recreated and redesigned the artwork and worlds of ARK to take advantage of the latest in videogame technology, Unreal Engine 5, using high-end graphics features such as fully dynamic Global Illumination ( Lumen ), so that light bounces realistically of off surfaces and provides realistic reflections

What is ARK: Survival Ascended?

ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA) is a complete reimagining of the original ARK: Survival Evolved, built from the ground up using Unreal Engine 5. This means stunning visuals, realistic physics, and a truly immersive experience. But it's more than just a graphical upgrade; ASA offers enhanced gameplay, improved mechanics, and a world that feels more alive than ever before. It’s a true next-generation survival experience.

With the arrival of Ragnarok in ARK: Survival Ascended, we re excited to grant a long-standing community wish: Griffins will be breedable. Whether you re divebombing into combat or planning your next Wyvern heist, take to the skies with a new generation of Griffins raised, trained, and imprinted opening up new possibilities for one of

Key Features of ARK: Survival Ascended

• Unreal Engine 5: Experience the ARK world like never before with breathtaking graphics and realistic physics.
• Cross-Platform Multiplayer: Play with friends on different platforms, building tribes and conquering the ARK together.
• Taming Dinosaurs: Tame and ride a wide variety of prehistoric creatures, each with unique abilities and uses.
• Crafting and Building: Gather resources, craft tools and weapons, and build elaborate bases to protect yourself from the elements and predators.
• Exploration: Discover the secrets of the ARK, from hidden caves and underwater realms to towering mountains and lush forests.
• Survival: Manage your hunger, thirst, and temperature to survive in the harsh environment.

Exploring the World of ARK

The ARK is a diverse and dangerous place, filled with a variety of biomes and creatures. From the dense jungles to the frozen tundras, each area presents its own unique challenges and opportunities. Understanding the environment and the creatures that inhabit it is crucial for survival.

ARK: Survival Ascended is a new version of ARK: Survival Evolved that uses Unreal Engine 5 to create realistic and immersive graphics and physics. Explore, craft, build, and tame dinosaurs and other creatures on various islands and worlds in this cross-platform multiplayer game.

Biomes and Environments

• The Island: The original map, featuring a mix of forests, beaches, and mountains. A great starting point for new players.
• Scorched Earth: A harsh desert environment with extreme temperatures and unique creatures adapted to the heat.
• Aberration: A subterranean world filled with bioluminescent creatures and dangerous radiation zones.
• Extinction: A post-apocalyptic Earth overrun by corrupted creatures and robotic defenses.
• Genesis: Part 1 & 2: Simulation environments with diverse biomes and challenging missions.
• Ragnarok: A community-created map with a vast landscape and a variety of biomes, from volcanic regions to snowy mountains.
• Lost Island: Discover diverse biomes including mangrove forests, jungles, redwood forests, and an expansive active volcano.
• Astraeos: A diverse land full of biomes, bosses, and ocean secrets!

Taming Dinosaurs and Creatures

One of the most iconic features of ARK is the ability to tame dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. Taming these creatures can provide you with powerful allies, efficient transportation, and valuable resources. Each creature has its own unique taming method, so experimentation and research are key.

Example: To tame a Raptor, you'll need to knock it unconscious using tranquilizer arrows or darts. Once it's down, you can feed it meat to slowly increase its taming progress. Keep an eye on its torpor level and administer more tranquilizers as needed to prevent it from waking up.

Tip: Always check the creature's preferred food before attempting to tame it. Some creatures are easier to tame with specific types of meat or crops.

Crafting and Building in ARK

Crafting and building are essential for survival in ARK. You'll need to gather resources to craft tools, weapons, and structures to protect yourself from the elements and predators. The crafting system is deep and rewarding, allowing you to create everything from simple stone tools to advanced technological devices.

Essential Resources

• Stone: Used for building basic structures and tools.
• Wood: Used for building structures, tools, and fuel for fires.
• Thatch: Used for building basic shelters and structures.
• Fiber: Used for crafting clothing, ropes, and other essential items.
• Metal: Used for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and structures.
• Hide: Used for crafting clothing, armor, and saddles.

Building Structures

Building a secure base is crucial for long-term survival in ARK. You can start with simple thatch structures and gradually upgrade to more durable materials like wood, stone, and metal. Consider the location of your base carefully, taking into account access to resources, defensibility, and proximity to water.

Tip: Use foundations to stabilize your structures and prevent them from collapsing. Reinforce your walls with spikes and turrets to deter predators and other players.

ARK: Survival Ascended Updates and Events

The developers of ARK: Survival Ascended are constantly working on new updates, content, and events to keep the game fresh and exciting. These updates often include new creatures, items, gameplay mechanics, and performance improvements. Staying informed about these updates is essential for staying ahead of the curve.

Recent Updates and Events

• Unreal Engine 5.5 Upgrade: This major update brought significant graphical and performance improvements to ASA.
• Anniversary Event: Celebrated 10 years of ARK with new content, events, and rewards.
• Ragnarok Release on ASA: The popular map Ragnarok has been added to ARK: Survival Ascended with breedable Griffins!
• Astraeos Update: Explore a new diverse landscape full of biomes, bosses, and ocean secrets!
• Eggcellent Adventure: The return of the Spring event, featuring Bunny Eggs and festive fun.

Community Crunch

The Community Crunch is a regular blog post from the developers that provides updates on the game's development, upcoming events, and community highlights. It's a great way to stay informed about what's happening in the ARK community.

Example: The Community Crunch 460 announced the start of the Anniversary Event on June 2nd, while Community Crunch 458 introduced the Bison to the game.

ARK Pass and Additional Content

For players looking to enhance their ARK experience, the ARK Pass offers a variety of benefits, including access to all released maps, the God Console, bonus XP, and monthly drops of free Keys. This subscription service provides a significant advantage for those who want to explore all that ARK has to offer.

ARK: Lost Colony

Get ready for the next chapter in the ARK universe, ARK: Lost Colony, scheduled to drop in November. Pre-orders will start in April, offering early access to new gameplay systems and exclusive content.

ARK: The Animated Series Cosmetic Pack

Category Winners received a copy of ARK: The Animated Series Cosmetic Pack featuring over 75 exclusive skins, including, Mammoth, Tusoteuthis, Spinosaurus, Equus, along with Jane, Chava, Rebel Mei Yin, and New-Armor Mei Yin. Valued at $14.99

Tips and Tricks for New Players

Starting out in ARK can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and strategy, you can quickly establish yourself as a successful survivor. Here are some essential tips and tricks for new players:

• Focus on gathering resources: Early on, prioritize gathering essential resources like stone, wood, thatch, and fiber.
• Craft basic tools: Craft a stone pickaxe and hatchet as soon as possible to improve your gathering efficiency.
• Build a basic shelter: A small thatch hut will provide protection from the elements and predators.
• Tame a Dodo: Dodos are easy to tame and can provide a steady source of eggs for food.
• Learn the crafting recipes: Familiarize yourself with the crafting recipes for essential items and structures.
• Explore cautiously: Be aware of your surroundings and avoid venturing into dangerous areas without proper preparation.
• Join a tribe: Playing with others can make the game much easier and more enjoyable.

ARK Item IDs and Commands

For server administrators and players looking to customize their gameplay experience, ARK offers a comprehensive item ID database and command system. These tools allow you to spawn items, change game settings, and perform other administrative tasks.

Using GFI Codes

GFI (Give Item) codes are used to spawn items into the game. To use a GFI code, you'll need to open the console and enter the following command:

cheat GFI [Item Name] [Quantity] [Quality] [Blueprint]

Example: To spawn 10 Metal Ingots of high quality, you would use the following command:

cheat GFI MetalIngot 10 100 0

Useful Admin Commands

• god: Makes you invulnerable to damage.
• fly: Allows you to fly around the map.
• ghost: Allows you to walk through walls.
• teleport: Teleports you to a specified location.
• kill: Kills the targeted creature or player.

ARK: Survival Evolved vs. ARK: Survival Ascended

While ARK: Survival Ascended is a reimagining of ARK: Survival Evolved, there are some key differences between the two games. ASA offers significant graphical and performance improvements, as well as enhanced gameplay mechanics and new content. However, ARK: Survival Evolved still has a large player base and a wealth of content that may not be available in ASA yet.

Key Differences

• Graphics: ASA uses Unreal Engine 5, resulting in significantly better graphics and visual fidelity.
• Performance: ASA is optimized for modern hardware, providing smoother gameplay and better performance.
• Gameplay Mechanics: ASA features enhanced gameplay mechanics, such as improved building and crafting systems.
• Content: ARK: Survival Evolved has a larger library of maps and creatures, but ASA is constantly being updated with new content.
• Price: ASA is a separate purchase from ARK: Survival Evolved.

Is ARK: Survival Ascended Worth It?

Whether or not ARK: Survival Ascended is worth it depends on your individual preferences and priorities. If you're looking for the best possible graphics, performance, and gameplay experience, ASA is definitely worth considering. However, if you're already invested in ARK: Survival Evolved and don't mind the older graphics, you may want to wait and see how ASA develops over time.

Reasons to Buy ARK: Survival Ascended

• Stunning Unreal Engine 5 graphics
• Improved performance and optimization
• Enhanced gameplay mechanics
• Cross-platform multiplayer
• Regular updates and new content

Frequently Asked Questions About ARK

What platforms is ARK: Survival Ascended available on?

ARK: Survival Ascended is currently available on PC (Steam, Windows Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Is ARK: Survival Ascended cross-platform?

Yes, ARK: Survival Ascended supports cross-platform multiplayer between PC and consoles.

How do I tame a dinosaur in ARK: Survival Ascended?

Each dinosaur has its own unique taming method. Generally, you'll need to knock the creature unconscious using tranquilizer arrows or darts, then feed it its preferred food to increase its taming progress. Check the ARK wiki for specific taming guides.

What are the best dinosaurs to tame early on in ARK: Survival Ascended?

Some good early-game tames include Dodos (for eggs), Parasaurolophus (for transportation and berries), and Raptors (for combat and hunting).

How do I build a base in ARK: Survival Ascended?

Gather resources like stone, wood, and thatch, then use them to craft foundations, walls, and other structures. Choose a location carefully and consider factors like resource availability and defensibility.

Conclusion

ARK: Survival Ascended is more than just a game; it's an experience. It's about the thrill of discovery, the challenge of survival, and the satisfaction of building your own world in a prehistoric land. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the series, ARK offers something for everyone. From taming dinosaurs to crafting intricate structures, the possibilities are endless. So, dive into the world of ARK, embrace the challenges, and create your own epic survival story. Are you ready to tame the wild and conquer the ARK?