Marking 10 Years of ARK: Survival Evolved’s Evolution and New Horizons

Since its debut on Steam’s Early Access platform on June 2, 2015, ARK: Survival Evolved has transformed from a humble indie dinosaur survival sandbox into a global phenomenon. With tens of millions of downloads, numerous expansion packs, spin-off titles, and a recent remaster, the franchise continues to thrive. To honor the game’s impressive decade-long journey, Studio Wildcard is rolling out a variety of in-game events, new content, and exciting announcements. Here are ten of the most noteworthy developments currently unfolding in the ARK universe.

1. Who is Celebrating with a Bang?

In 2023, ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA) was launched as a remastered version of the original game, now optimized for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Built anew using Unreal Engine 5, ASA offers stunning visuals and enhanced performance. To commemorate ARK’s 10th birthday, Studio Wildcard introduced festive-themed content including new structures, skins, and emotes. Additionally, they reintroduced the Egg Incubator from ARK: Survival Evolved, enabling players to hatch up to 10 eggs simultaneously while keeping them warm, reducing hatch times considerably. This upgrade adds a layer of convenience and fun to the game’s core survival mechanics.

2. ARK: Genesis Part 1 Now Playable on Mobile Devices

The popular expansion pack, ARK: Genesis Part 1, has made its way to the ARK: Ultimate Mobile Edition. This story-driven expansion offers players a fresh experience filled with new creatures, craftable items, and structures. Set within a virtual simulation, players must navigate a series of challenges with the help of HLN-A, a witty robot companion. As with previous ARK adventures, survival depends on exploring, taming dinosaurs, building bases, and battling foes — but now, players must also adapt to rapidly changing environments for continued progress.

3. Dive into New Underwater Adventures with ARK: Aquatica

Many fans still enjoy taming and riding dinosaurs in the original ARK: Survival Evolved, and now a new DLC called ARK: Aquatica is expanding that experience. Released as part of the celebration of ARK’s 10th anniversary, this update introduces the first entirely submerged biome and the series’ first underwater map. Developed exclusively by Snail Games, Aquatica features new survival mechanics, environmental dangers, and a vast map three times larger vertically than the previous Aberration map. Players will encounter 20 new aquatic creatures, 69 new Engrams (including 7 tek Engrams), and new underwater survival tools such as air pockets and submersibles to explore the depths safely.

4. Ragnarok Ascended: The Return of a Beloved Map

On June 18, ARK: Ragnarok Ascended will bring back the beloved Ragnarok map in a fully remastered form. This update revives fan-favorite creatures like the Griffin and Ice Wyvern, while introducing a new beast: the Bison — a horned, fiercely loyal creature that combines power with protection. With its volcanic terrain, rugged landscapes, and challenging environments, Ragnarok Ascended promises to deliver a fresh yet familiar adventure for seasoned survivors and newcomers alike.

5. Pre-Order the Future with ARK: Lost Colony

Pre-orders for ARK: Lost Colony, the first major canonical expansion for ARK: Survival Ascended, open on June 18. This expansive new chapter is set in a sprawling, occupied city and continues the narrative established in ARK: Extinction. Featuring new creatures, structures, gear, and powers, Lost Colony offers a compelling story experience. An animated trailer released earlier this year, featuring voices from Michelle Yeoh, Madeleine Madden, and Auli’i Cravalho, hints at the map’s intriguing storyline. Players who pre-order will gain early access to exclusive content, with the full release scheduled for November.

6. Setting the Stage for ARK 2

Scheduled for release in November, Lost Colony serves as a bridge to the highly anticipated ARK 2. Developers have teased that the upcoming DLC will include story elements, lore clues, and new gameplay mechanics that hint at the sequel’s direction. While details remain under wraps, fans are eager to see how this expansion will set up the next chapter in the ARK saga.

7. Epic Sounds with Gareth Coker’s New Music

The Lost Colony map will feature a soundtrack composed by Gareth Coker, known for his work on iconic games like Ori and the Blind Forest, Halo Infinite, and Minecraft. Coker’s music will enhance the immersive experience of the new map, including a fresh main theme that captures the spirit of adventure and mystery that defines ARK.

8. Astraeos: New Land to Explore and Conquer

The first major content update for Astraeos, the game’s latest expansion, introduces Lemnokis — a sprawling island created by renowned ARK modder Nekatus. This massive island features diverse biomes, hidden caves, and majestic redwoods with ancient ruins and statues hinting at lost civilizations. For combat enthusiasts, the update also introduces the game’s first duo minibosses, Kalydonios and Erymanthian, two colossal boars that fight with fire and poison, offering new challenges for brave explorers.

9. Mods Galore with Overwolf Integration

ARK: Survival Ascended embraces its vibrant modding community through a partnership with CurseForge, providing access to over 4,200 mods. Among them is the popular ARK x Power Rangers collaboration, which allows players to don costumes of characters like the Green Ranger, White Ranger, and villains such as Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd. The mod pack includes custom emotes, themed weapons like the Saba Sword and Zedd Staff, and more. Players can browse and download mods via the ARK Portal, customizing their gameplay experience with new creatures, gear, and gameplay mechanics created by the community. This ecosystem ensures ARK remains fresh and continuously evolving.

10. The Animated Series Returns in 2025

Fans can look forward to ARK: The Animated Series Part 2, premiering later in 2025. Continuing Helena Walker’s survival story, the series delves deeper into the prehistoric mysteries of the island. Part 1, now streaming on Paramount+, boasted an impressive cast including Gerard Butler, David Tennant, Russell Crowe, and others. Helena’s journey is intertwined with in-game content, as animated character skins inspired by the series are now available in ARK: Survival Ascended, allowing players to bring the show’s characters to life within the game world.

Emma Blake

Emma is a tech-savvy news editor who thrives on staying ahead of the curve. With a background in digital journalism and media studies, she brings readers up-to-the-minute updates on gaming, tech, and entertainment trends. Emma’s writing is sharp, insightful, and always backed by credible sources. Her mission is to keep the community informed and curious about the fast-changing digital world.