Ark Survival Ascended: The Unreal Engine 5 Remake of the Dinosaur Survival Game

Ark Survival Ascended is a remake of the popular dinosaur survival game Ark Survival Evolved, which was released in 2017. The remake, which is expected to launch in October 2023 as an early access title, will feature the original game’s content and DLCs, as well as new features and improvements, using the latest version of Unreal Engine 5.

Table of Contents

What is Ark Survival Ascended and how does it differ from Ark Survival Evolved?

Ark Survival Evolved is a game that allows players to explore, craft, build, and survive in a world populated by dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. The game has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and has a loyal fan base. The game is also known for its modding community, which has created thousands of custom maps, creatures, items, and gameplay modes.

Ark Survival Ascended is a remake of the original game, using Unreal Engine 5, a game engine developed by Epic Games, which promises to deliver photorealistic graphics, dynamic lighting, and immersive sound. The engine also supports Nanite, a virtualized geometry system that allows for massive amounts of detail without compromising performance.

Ark Survival Ascended will use Unreal Engine 5

Ark Survival Ascended will use Unreal Engine 5 to overhaul the game’s visuals, physics, and gameplay. According to the developers, Studio Wildcard, the remake will offer:

Cross-platform multiplayer and modding
Dynamic water and interactive foliage
Opening cutscene and photo mode
Dino/baby management and snap point improvements
Character creation and customization improvements
New content and creatures
Nvidia DLSS support

The remake will also include The Island, the game’s original map, as well as Survival of the Fittest, a battle royale mode. The game’s DLCs, such as Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, Genesis Part 1 and 2, Ragnarok, The Center, Valguero, and Crystal Isles, will be released over time. Each DLC will also feature a new community-chosen creature to be found and tamed.

What are the new features and improvements that Ark Survival Ascended will offer?

Ark Survival Ascended will offer many new features and improvements that will enhance the game’s experience. Some of them are:

Cross-platform multiplayer and modding:

Players will be able to play with their friends across different platforms (Windows, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5) and enjoy the same content and updates. Players will also be able to create and share their own mods using the Unreal Engine 5 tools.

Dynamic water and interactive foliage:

The water in the game will be more realistic and responsive to the environment and the player’s actions. The foliage will also be more detailed and interactive, allowing players to hide or harvest resources from them.

Opening cutscene and photo mode:

The game will feature an opening cutscene that will introduce the story and setting of the game. The game will also have a photo mode that will allow players to capture and share their moments in the game.

Dino/baby management and snap point improvements:

The game will have a better system for managing dinosaurs and their babies. Players will be able to see their stats, health, inventory, behavior, etc. more easily. The game will also have improved snap points for building structures more efficiently.

Character creation and customization improvements:

The game will have a more advanced character creation system that will allow players to customize their appearance more freely. Players will also be able to change their appearance later in the game using mirrors or other items.

New content and creatures:

The game will have new content and creatures that will add more variety and challenge to the game. Some of the new creatures include:

Allosaurus: A large carnivorous dinosaur that hunts in packs.
Brontosaurus: A massive herbivorous dinosaur that can carry structures on its back.
Direwolf: A large wolf-like creature that can track prey by scent.
Giganotosaurus: A colossal carnivorous dinosaur that can rival the Tyrannosaurus rex.
Megalodon: A giant shark-like creature that can swallow smaller creatures whole.
Pteranodon: A flying reptile that can carry players in the air.
Quetzalcoatlus: A huge flying reptile that can carry structures on its back.
Sabertooth: A feline creature with long fangs that can pounce on prey.
Spinosaurus: A semi-aquatic carnivorous dinosaur that can switch between bipedal and quadrupedal stance.
Triceratops: A herbivorous dinosaur with three horns and a frill that can charge at enemies.
Nvidia DLSS support: The game will support Nvidia DLSS, a technology that uses artificial intelligence to boost the game’s performance and image quality. This will allow players to enjoy the game at higher resolutions and frame rates.

What are the system requirements and platforms for Ark Survival Ascended?

Ark Survival Ascended will be available for Windows, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. The game will require a powerful system to run smoothly. The minimum and recommended system requirements for Windows are:

Minimum:

OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB or AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 150 GB available space

How can you pre-order and play Ark Survival Ascended?

Ark Survival Ascended is currently available for pre-order on Steam for $44.99 USD. The game will also be released on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. The developers have stated that they plan to leave early access by the end of 2024.

To pre-order and play Ark Survival Ascended, you need to:

Visit the Steam store page for Ark Survival Ascended .
Click on the “Add to Cart” button.
Follow the instructions to complete your purchase.
Wait for the game to be released on October 25, 2023.
Download and install the game on your PC.
Launch the game and enjoy!

What are some tips and tricks for playing Ark Survival Ascended?

Ark Survival Ascended is a challenging and rewarding game that requires strategy, skill, and creativity. Here are some tips and tricks to help you survive and thrive in the game:

Explore and gather resources:

The game world is vast and full of resources that you can use to craft items, build structures, and tame creatures. Explore your surroundings and gather as much as you can. You can also use tools, such as pickaxes, axes, spears, etc., to harvest more efficiently.

Craft and build:

Crafting and building are essential for your survival and progress in the game. You can craft items, such as weapons, armor, tools, etc., using the resources you gathered. We can also build structures, such as shelters, fences, storage boxes, etc., using the resources you gathered. You can access the crafting menu by pressing Tab on your keyboard or by opening your inventory.

Tame and breed creatures:

Taming and breeding creatures are one of the main features of the game. You can tame creatures by knocking them out with tranquilizers or other methods and then feeding them their preferred food. You can also breed creatures by mating them with the same species. Tamed and bred creatures can help you in various ways, such as fighting, transporting, harvesting, etc.

Level up and learn engrams:

Leveling up and learning engrams are important for unlocking new items and abilities in the game. You can level up by gaining experience from various activities, such as killing creatures, crafting items, etc. You can also learn engrams by spending engram points that you earn from leveling up. Engrams are blueprints that allow you to craft new items.

Join or create a tribe:

Joining or creating a tribe is a good way to cooperate with other players in the game. You can join or create a tribe by accessing the tribe menu by pressing L on your keyboard or by opening your inventory. Tribes can share resources, structures, creatures, etc., as well as communicate with each other using chat or voice chat.