Updates

Survivors, mark your calendars because September 30 is shaping up to be a big day on the ARKs! The Unreal Engine 5.8 upgrade, Therizinosaurus TLC, Cerberax, and Gargantar are all set to arrive together in one packed release. The move to Unreal Engine 5.8 represents one of the biggest technical milestones yet for ASA. Our engine team has been hard at work on the upgrade, focusing on tangible performance improvements, platform-specific fixes, and stronger technical foundations for everything still ahead. And the technology isn't the only thing getting an upgrade. Thanks to your Extra Life vote, the Therizinosaurus TLC will sharpen up one of ARK's most iconic creatures, bringing new life and personality to the beloved Tickle Chicken while staying true to the harvesting powerhouse Survivors know and love. It won't be arriving alone. The skies will welcome Gargantar, the latest mighty dragon from ARK Dragontopia, with Expansion Pass owners getting early access to this hungry behemoth, who views the ARKs as one enormous all-you-can-eat buffet. Meanwhile, ARK Fantastic Tames Season 1 continues with the arrival of its second creature, Cerberax, following in the bouncy footsteps of the Burrowbuck earlier this year. Download in full resolution This imposing beast is more than capable of carrying a lone Survivor into battle, though those traveling with a few trusted tribemates may discover where its true strength lies. Each head seems to have a temperament of its own, with a peculiar way of playing off the others. Survivors who learn to work with them in tandem may find that what one head starts, another can finish with devastating results. Whether you ride alone or bring your tribe along, there's clearly more than one way to unleash this three-headed terror. The Cerberax is coming as part of ARK Fantastic Tames Season 1 on September 30. Before we get there… Astraeos' final update arrives August 26! Charging into the update is the Boaratos, the hot-headed hog we introduced last week, ready to bring some serious heat to your battles, your harvests, and perhaps even your breakfast table. So while you're marking September 30 on your calendars, don't forget to make a little room for August 26. The Boaratos is almost here, and it's bringing the heat! MODSPOLIGHTLINK 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: Golden Evolving Tools (Freemium) by Lordan_LaFleur Atlantean Temple Skins by R0sered Amberveil Cottage Structure Skins by Kocielapki Fantasy Swords and Pike by Prince_0f_Hell ARK: Collection-V1 by J26arkitecto Feras TLCs: Megalodon by Fera_spielt ARKOLOGY: OE - Hapipalus by Dragonheart7998 Vorath: Aquadomes by Trixt3r ExtinctionOverGrowth by Mr_PowerPoof Rustfall by YutayARKMods The Wall by IIVan Engram Fragmentation by Shefski55555 Fera’s TLCs: Megalania by Fera_Spielt Bridges Ascended by mobevents Reforged Arsenal by Hacki_Van_Bane Hyperion by Crane_ASA Corruption Unbound by Dooms_Dahling, Scorching_Kami Whimsical Farming by Lordan_LaFleur, Cliffan The Obulus Project by TheNokosa Extraction Protocol by Brunoamaraltm Transfers on Genesis Ascended Part 1 Official servers will open on September 4th, allowing players to move items, creatures, and characters onto the map without restriction! We've also aligned the timing with the Genesis Part 1 Expires servers, giving players a couple of weeks to move everything over before those servers close on September 18th. And as always, don't forget to pack your Dodos in bubble wrap, Survivors! Conquest, introduced to ARK: Survival Ascended by Snail Games, focuses on large-scale PvP, with increased rates, and other changes listed below. The increased rates will allow tribes to set up and establish themselves quickly and enable them to rebuild after potential losses instead of being wiped completely. The official Conquest servers are open for PC, Xbox and PlayStation. If you need any support during the Conquest season, join the Conquest Enforcement's Discord. Conquest Season 8 details:Total of 18 maps, all Genesis Part 1Cluster A: 12 servers that had transfers enabled with Classic before they shut down. Cluster B: 6 servers with transfers only enabled between those 6 servers for 2 weeks. Transfers between Cluster A and Cluster B will open on July 17th at 10 AM PT. 5x Rates Tek is enabled with the exception of:Tek Grenade Tapejara Tek Saddle Megalodon Tek Saddle Rock Drake Tek Saddle Mosasur Tek Saddle Tek Railgun Map: all 18 maps will become Genesis Part 1 ARKpocalypse servers have been wiped today! What is ARKpocalypse? ARKpocalypse are monthly-wipe servers with higher than usual rates. Next wipe: September 18th, 2026 You can join them by typing "Arkpocalypse" in the server browser! Happy Surviving! This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until Monday, August 24. 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 | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form ASA Mod Jam 2026 – Winners Are In! We’re constantly blown away by the creativity of the ARK modding community, especially when players create new opportunities for fellow creators. That spirit is behind the independently run ASA Mod Jam 2026: Build the Future. Rustfall by Yutay Explore a haunting graveyard of steel where nature has reclaimed the ruins of a forgotten TEK world. Whimsical Farming by Lordan_Lafluer & Cliffan Transform survival into a rewarding farming adventure where every seed, season and harvest matters. Engram Fragmentation by Shefski Turn every tame into a new opportunity by extracting fragments to create powerful upgrades, mutations and cosmetics. Vorath: Aquadomes by Trixt3r Trixt3r & Shinygati. Tame a fearsome deep-sea predator and grow massive breathable Aquadomes to build your future beneath the waves. The Obolus Project by Nokosa Escape to your own personal island getaway, beautifully themed around some of ARK’s most iconic biomes. Hyperion by Crane Battle through an industrial stronghold packed with elite enemies, challenging encounters, valuable loot and a rideable TEK train. Corruption Unbound by Dooms Dahling & Scorching_Kami Fight back against spreading corruption as dangerous nests transform wildlife and unleash terrifying new monstrosities. Extraction Protocol by Bruno Defend procedurally generated Resource Nodes against hostile waves and earn valuable rewards in thrilling high-risk encounters. Thank you to all the talented creators who participated—this year's quality has been amazing! Creator: The AxeMan The AxeMan explores the modded map Bjarnheim and settles in a quaint town. YOUTUBE URL Creator: Savkyn Savkyn shows you how to build your very own cozy cottage! YOUTUBE URL CRIMSON by RATIAELUNE Deinonychus by SkrillySaper Traditional artist coming into the unknown digital world by cascadingcaramel Argentavis by ThatOneJade13 Two Carnotaurus fighting each other by K4ferta My spinosarus, Toffifi by blobin500 Helena Walker and Littlefoot by ThePaleoartMan Photo Mode by atomic2108 Photo Mode by lavanaut Photo Mode by catcatswagger Photo Mode by onlyquartz Photo Mode by fera_spielt 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: ark.wiki.gg

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Auto-posted from the developer's official Steam announcement.

Things are about to get a little crispy on Astraeos. On August 26, the final update to Astraeos arrives, and charging headfirst into the fray is the Boaratos, a fiery new bruiser that's happiest when things get up close, and preferably a little singed. Download in full resolution Built to stand tusk-to-toe with some of the toughest creatures on the ARKs, this hot-headed hog combines raw physical strength with fiery attacks and a knack for leaving its enemies bleeding, making it a must-have companion when facing particularly formidable opponents. But when there's no battle to be fought, those smoldering talents can still earn their keep around your tribe. Trees have a curious tendency to end up a little more... charred before the Boaratos brings them crashing down. And should you ever find yourself on the winning side of a fight with a Boaratos, let's just say the spoils might be best enjoyed around the breakfast table with a side of eggs. No matter what, Astraeos is going whole hog for its final update! MODSPOLIGHTLINK 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: Showcase Storage Skins by Kokoukohiro Forglar Part II by SnowyTrain Kawaii Sweet Structures by Kawaii_Creator Bathroom Clutter Evolved by Faine Ocean Platforms Catalogue - Custom Cosmetic by Fernandess, Dani_FM Wyrm Cosmetic by TheCleanSlate TyrannosaurusGoose by Nekatus_Modding Cliffans CC: Bionic Cosmo Cosmetic by Cliffan_ Untitled by Scorching_Kami Bjarnheim by Nekatus_Modding Paleo ARK - Evolution | Apex Predators by Team Paleo ARK Transfers on Genesis Ascended Part 1 Official servers will open on September 4th, allowing players to move items, creatures, and characters onto the map without restriction! We've also aligned the timing with the Genesis Part 1 Expires servers, giving players a couple of weeks to move everything over before those servers close on September 18th. And as always, don't forget to pack your Dodos in bubble wrap, Survivors! Conquest, introduced to ARK: Survival Ascended by Snail Games, focuses on large-scale PvP, with increased rates, and other changes listed below. The increased rates will allow tribes to set up and establish themselves quickly and enable them to rebuild after potential losses instead of being wiped completely. The official Conquest servers are open for PC, Xbox and PlayStation. If you need any support during the Conquest season, join the Conquest Enforcement's Discord. Conquest Season 8 details:Total of 18 maps, all Genesis Part 1Cluster A: 12 servers that had transfers enabled with Classic before they shut down. Cluster B: 6 servers with transfers only enabled between those 6 servers for 2 weeks. Transfers between Cluster A and Cluster B will open on July 17th at 10 AM PT. 5x Rates Tek is enabled with the exception of:Tek Grenade Tapejara Tek Saddle Megalodon Tek Saddle Rock Drake Tek Saddle Mosasur Tek Saddle Tek Railgun Map: all 18 maps will become Genesis Part 1 This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until Monday, August 17. 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 | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form ASA Mod Jam 2026 – Finalist Mods Are Live! We’re constantly blown away by the creativity of the ARK modding community, especially when players create new opportunities for fellow creators. That spirit is behind the independently run ASA Mod Jam 2026: Build the Future. Organized by Sandi Studios and CurseForge, this eight-week gauntlet kicks off on May 15th. It challenges solo devs and duos to build brand-new mods from scratch using the official ARK DevKit, with prizes on the line. The Top 13 finalist mods are now available! Explore these community-created mods available for you to try. You can easily find all of them in the in-game mod browser by searching for #ASAModJam2026. Bridges Ascended by Mobevents Corruption Unbound by Dooms Dahling & Scorching_Kami Engram Fragmentation by Shefski Extinction Overgrowth by Powerpoof Extraction Protocol by Bruno Fera’s TLCs: Megalania by fera_spielt Hyperion by Crane The Obolus Project by Nokosa Reforged Arsenal by Hacki_van_Bane Rustfall by Yutay The Wall by IIvan Vorath: Aquadomes by Trixt3r & Shinygati Whimsical Farming by Lordan_Lafluer & Cliffan Try out the mods, share your thoughts in the comments, and give them a thumbs up in-game if you enjoy them. Your feedback will assist the judges during the evaluation period from August 2 to August 17. The winners will be announced on August 21st! Thank you to all the talented creators who participated—this year's quality has been amazing! Creator: Syntac Syntac experiments with the Supercephalosornis Lab Station to genetically alter his own powerhouse! YOUTUBE URL Creator: Chasun_ Chasun creates a beautiful base that is ideal for all your starting needs! YOUTUBE URL Do you still remember the first stolen Wyvern Egg? by @TZULIN_ WONDERLAND by @falco_luna Gimme elements! Gimme! Gimme! by @zondeeee730 Tidepup by @kinosei_x2 Bulbdog by Lyly29 Little drawing of my favourite reaper of mine, Lucer by lohegrina My character with my 3 favorite dinos by koelium Photo Mode by repo24 You've earned your place in my memory, brother. Until we cross paths again in the wild. by onlyquartz Drakeling by akarimmu Named him Hephaestus by anhagath Photo Mode by brini2715. 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: ark.wiki.gg

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Auto-posted from the developer's official Steam announcement.

The ground is beginning to shake again. Once upon a time, the Giganotosaurus was the undisputed king of the ARKs. Few creatures could stand against it, and hearing its roar in the distance was enough to send even seasoned Survivors scrambling for safety, and taming one was a milestone few ever forgot. As the years went by and new apex predators emerged, the Giga gradually found itself sharing the spotlight. With this TLC, our goal is to restore the presence, power, and identity that made it the terror of the wilderness in the first place. We're excited to share an early look at that journey with the first concept art for the Giganotosaurus TLC. Our focus is on restoring the Giga's commanding presence and ensuring it once again stands shoulder to shoulder with the mightiest predators roaming the ARKs. Download in full resolution As part of that journey, we’re exploring new ways to remind Survivors why a wounded Giganotosaurus has always been one of the most terrifying sights on the ARKs. The closer it is pushed to the brink, the more dangerous it becomes... and that kind of fury can be contagious. Creatures brave enough to crowd around its feet may soon discover it has a crushing answer of its own, but when its temper finally boils over, friend and foe alike would be wise to give it room. The king of the food chain is preparing for its return.  Transfers on Genesis Ascended Part 1 Official servers will open on September 4th, allowing players to move items, creatures, and characters onto the map without restriction! We've also aligned the timing with the Genesis Part 1 Expires servers, giving players a couple of weeks to move everything over before those servers close on September 18th. And as always, don't forget to pack your Dodos in bubble wrap, Survivors! Conquest, introduced to ARK: Survival Ascended by Snail Games, focuses on large-scale PvP, with increased rates, and other changes listed below. The increased rates will allow tribes to set up and establish themselves quickly and enable them to rebuild after potential losses instead of being wiped completely. The official Conquest servers are open for PC, Xbox and PlayStation. If you need any support during the Conquest season, join the Conquest Enforcement's Discord. Conquest Season 8 details:Total of 18 maps, all Genesis Part 1Cluster A: 12 servers that had transfers enabled with Classic before they shut down. Cluster B: 6 servers with transfers only enabled between those 6 servers for 2 weeks. Transfers between Cluster A and Cluster B will open on July 17th at 10 AM PT. 5x Rates Tek is enabled with the exception of:Tek Grenade Tapejara Tek Saddle Megalodon Tek Saddle Rock Drake Tek Saddle Mosasur Tek Saddle Tek Railgun Map: all 18 maps will become Genesis Part 1 This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until Monday, August 10. 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 | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form ASA Mod Jam 2026 – Finalist Mods Are Live! We’re constantly blown away by the creativity of the ARK modding community, especially when players create new opportunities for fellow creators. That spirit is behind the independently run ASA Mod Jam 2026: Build the Future. Organized by Sandi Studios and CurseForge, this eight-week gauntlet kicks off on May 15th. It challenges solo devs and duos to build brand-new mods from scratch using the official ARK DevKit, with prizes on the line. The Top 13 finalist mods are now available! Explore these community-created mods available for you to try. You can easily find all of them in the in-game mod browser by searching for #ASAModJam2026. Bridges Ascended by Mobevents Corruption Unbound by Dooms Dahling & Scorching_Kami Engram Fragmentation by Shefski Extinction Overgrowth by Powerpoof Extraction Protocol by Bruno Fera’s TLCs: Megalania by fera_spielt Hyperion by Crane The Obolus Project by Nokosa Reforged Arsenal by Hacki_van_Bane Rustfall by Yutay The Wall by IIvan Vorath: Aquadomes by Trixt3r & Shinygati Whimsical Farming by Lordan_Lafluer & Cliffan Try out the mods, share your thoughts in the comments, and give them a thumbs up in-game if you enjoy them. Your feedback will assist the judges during the evaluation period from August 2 to August 17. The winners will be announced on August 21st! Thank you to all the talented creators who participated—this year's quality has been amazing! Creator: BEYPlaysGames Bey explores the newest modded map from Nekatus, Bjarnheim! YOUTUBE URL Creator: LolsAtLance Learn to build this ocean platform PVE base. This Spanish-inspired build has everything you need to survive life at sea. YOUTUBE URL Fan Art by drawolfknight Night Trio by sirdrip Grabbing him like a stray cat by dovethecat The Violet Depths by lightscameraemerald My brother is a metal worker and he made this for me because I love featherlight so much by derek25_ Helena’s prophecy by @TekARK_01 Change into a swimsuit by @falco_luna Photo Mode by yang098071 snow critters by frozen_soap Photo Mode by hizamarukco Just another aesthetic photo of my Amberveil village by kocie.lapki So cute by mrs.tack 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: ark.wiki.gg

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Auto-posted from the developer's official Steam announcement.

The Tickle Chicken is sharpening its claws. Thanks to your Extra Life vote, one of ARK's most iconic creatures is getting a fresh coat of feathers, all while staying true to the role Survivors have relied on for years. Rather than redefining the creature, this TLC focuses on improving combat responsiveness, controls, traversal, visual progression and expanding the creature’s personality. The Therizino has always had a reputation for turning an innocent stroll through the woods into a frantic sprint for your life, and that isn't changing anytime soon. Survivors will find that wild ones are a little more patient than they used to be. They now make their intentions crystal clear, fixing you with an unblinking stare, spreading those infamous claws, and giving you one last chance to reconsider your life choices. Whether you heed that warning is entirely up to you. Survivors will also notice that no two hardworking Therizinos look quite the same. A seasoned harvester proudly wears the marks of its trade, with claws and posture reflecting the work it does best, making every faithful companion more unique. We're also excited to reveal the brand-new Therizinosaurus dossier, offering a fresh look at this legendary creature and its place on the ARKs. Download in full resolution Species: Therizinosaurus multiensis Time: Late Cretaceous Diet: Herbivore Temperament: Territorial Like several other creatures on the ARKs, Therizinosaurus multiensis seems to be adjusting to our presence. It will even give interlopers a courtesy warning before attacking. The beast’s newfound tolerance works both ways, as tribes no longer see its encroaching populations as an existential threat. That said, a provoked Therizino is more dangerous than ever. From a safe distance you'll notice a Therizino adapted to delicate foraging will flash longer, sharper claws, while the rippers of a power-harvester get worn and chipped. Get too close, and whichever style of claws it has will tear into you with the same vicious double-swipe attack. We're lucky that it's still easy to tame a Therizino. Sedate one into submission and feed it enough, and it'll eventually fall into line. A mounted Therizino turns out to be more clever and agile than you'd expect, for such a big creature. It can turn on a dime, and hop onto or over obstacles that'd stop an Allo or Rex in their tracks. You'd be wise to enlist a Therzino's help in your tribe's fight for survival. It's a reliable and tireless harvester and those same reaping blades are formidable weapons. Saddle one up for the fierce protection it gives a rider from attackers and would-be predators. It is with wistful hearts that today we are announcing the Official Servers for 'ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Ultimate Survivor Edition' on Nintendo Switch will sunset on August 31st, 2026. Over a million players have explored these servers since the original ARK Switch release in 2018 and the launch of Grove Street Games' rebuilt Switch remaster in 2022. We want to thank everyone who has been a part of this journey. Please note that Unofficial Servers and Single Player modes will continue to remain fully playable after this date. Conquest, introduced to ARK: Survival Ascended by Snail Games, focuses on large-scale PvP, with increased rates, and other changes listed below. The increased rates will allow tribes to set up and establish themselves quickly and enable them to rebuild after potential losses instead of being wiped completely. The official Conquest servers are open for PC, Xbox and PlayStation. If you need any support during the Conquest season, join the Conquest Enforcement's Discord. Conquest Season 8 details:Total of 18 maps, all Genesis Part 1Cluster A: 12 servers that had transfers enabled with Classic before they shut down. Cluster B: 6 servers with transfers only enabled between those 6 servers for 2 weeks. Transfers between Cluster A and Cluster B will open on July 17th at 10 AM PT. 5x Rates Tek is enabled with the exception of:Tek Grenade Tapejara Tek Saddle Megalodon Tek Saddle Rock Drake Tek Saddle Mosasur Tek Saddle Tek Railgun Map: all 18 maps will become Genesis Part 1 Download in full resolution Friday, July 17, 2026 End: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 Check out all the fun details here! The Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until Wednesday, August 5. 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 | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form Creator: Raasclark Raasclark embarks on a pirate adventure on the high seas with the help of the other Monarks! YOUTUBE URL Creator: The Outcasts Outcast shows you how to tame a Bloodstalker and exactly what it can do once you have your own to ride! YOUTUBE URL Ice Wyvern by teaariz Listro by apollosrockstar Managarmr by rybcioszka My ark character and my fav argy by superspicyburger Comic by oopsallstickmen GLOON ❤️ by golden_kivi Fluffy by Wyvernadas Photo Mode by hizamarukco Photo Mode by lopes83br Photo Mode by yami_ger Photo Mode by frozen_soap Why is this little robot so photogenic? by magicsightoflegend_aeroponic 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: ark.wiki.gg

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Auto-posted from the developer's official Steam announcement.