Kraken by Wildcard
Studio Wildcard confirms the implementation of a new aquatic creature for ARK: Survival Ascended - Genesis. The "Kraken" (taxonomically: Palaeoctopus) will be integrated into the Genesis Part 1 expansion later this year.
Mythological Baseline Data: The Kraken
The term "Kraken" originates from Norse mythology. Historical records describe the entity as a colossal sea monster operating off the coasts of Norway and Iceland. Morphologically, folklore primarily classifies the Kraken as a gigantic cephalopod (octopus or squid). Documented attack vectors include the physical destruction of ships via massive tentacles and the generation of lethal whirlpools (maelstroms) through the displacement of enormous water masses upon submerging. This historical template forms the foundation for the creature design.
Origin and Concept Adaptation in ARK
The recent community voting forms the basis of the species. The original winning concept classified the Palaeoctopus as a "brewing land octopus." Current developer data indicates a structural deviation from this blueprint. Implementation now focuses primarily on submarine biomes rather than land-based crafting mechanics.
Behavioral Matrix and Combat Mechanics
The behavioral patterns of the Kraken divide into two contrary operational states:
- Camouflage (Stealth Mode): The entity merges with the environment. It morphologically imitates rocks or growing coral formations on the seabed. This massively impedes visual detection by survivors.
- Aggression (Offensive Mode): Direct disruptions of the camouflage trigger immediate, violent reactions. The attack combines massive ink deployment for visual obstruction with high kinetic energy. The eight tentacles serve as primary, lethal melee weapons.
Transfer from ATLAS?
The architectural execution of the Kraken indicates a potential asset transfer from ATLAS, which already features a fully functional "Kraken" boss entity.
