Outlook ARK Survival 2026

Jan

25

2026

0

By Louis Bang Bang

ASA DLCs Roadmap (aktuell)

The strategic realignment of ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA) establishes a technological bridge between the current ecosystem and its successor ARK 2 by 2028. The focus of this transformation is the migration to Unreal Engine 5.7 for significant performance optimization, a dense content pipeline with new DLC primary worlds, and the systematic preparation of the player base for the radical conceptual shift of the sequel.

Roadmap

2026 Q1

Unreal Engine 5.7
SOFT (Survival of the Fittest)

2026 Q2

Story Map: Genesis 1
New Creature: "Palaeoctopus"
Bob’s True Tales: "Tides of Fortune"

2026 Q3

World Creator Tool

2026 Q4

New DLC Map: "Dragontopia"

2026-2027

During the period of 2026/2027, the following species will receive a TLC (Tender Love Care) update: Araneo, Quetzal, Giga, Theri, and Megalo. In parallel, the integration of the free maps Fjordur, Crystal Isles, and Lost Island is planned.

2027 Q1

New DLC Map: "Atlantis"

2027 Q2

Story Map: Genesis 2
Bob’s True Tales: "Galaxy Wars"

2027 Q4

DLC: "Legacy of Santiago" (Testing and transition to ARK 2)

2028

ARK 2 (Release window)

Technical Quantum Leap: Unreal Engine 5.7

The planned upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.7 in March 2026 will form the foundation for future performance. Following the launch on version 5.2 and the current state 5.5, the jump to 5.7 will achieve a performance increase of about 30 to 40 percent for CPU and GPU (Note! Wildcard logic, possibly as ARK Ascended will be free). The centerpiece is a new system for rendering Nanite vegetation, which has already impressed in tech demos for "The Witcher IV." This Nanite tessellation allows for drastically more efficient calculations of massive foliage scenes without graphical compromises. For console players, the goal of stable 60 FPS is now within reach. At the same time, this step is a prerequisite for the port to the Nintendo Switch 2.

An unavoidable side effect of the engine upgrade is the necessity to re-cook all mods. Due to changes in the material system, over 6000 mods will need to be updated server-side, which will take several weeks.

2026: Battle Royale, Pirates, and Dragon Myths

The first quarter of 2026 marks the return of "Survival of the Fittest." Development is handled by Studio Sirens, a subsidiary of Snail Games. Given the negative experiences with the DLC "Aquatica," there is skepticism in the community regarding the quality (or specifically, it was a massive disaster, but since only ASE was affected, many didn't care!). Wildcard is largely distancing itself operationally from this project, which primarily serves as brand exploitation.

In the second quarter, Genesis Part 1 will be released along with the expansion pack "Bob’s True Tales: Tides of Fortune." This package transforms ARK into a pirate scenario, heavily relying on elements from "Atlas." Players can expect large ocean biomes, real shipping mechanics, and naval battles. In the third quarter, the "World Creator" will be introduced, an in-game tool that integrates modding functions directly into the client.

The year will conclude with "Dragontopia" in the fourth quarter. This is an internal project that redefines the bond between player and creature. Dragons will function here as independent partners with a friendship system rather than purely controllable robots. Visually, the map is inspired by a mix of Pandora and high-fantasy elements.

2027: The Depths of Atlantis and Galactic Wars

The year 2027 starts with the highly praised "Atlantis" map. The confirmation that the creator of Valguero and Fjordur is working on this map guarantees a high level of vertical world-building and mystical underwater biomes. It is the answer to the demand for a dedicated ocean map with deep trenches.

In the second quarter, the story reaches its preliminary peak with Genesis Part 2 and "Bob’s True Tales: Galaxy Wars." Here, the survivors leave Earth for space battles and gravity-based gameplay. By the end of 2027, "Legacy of Santiago," a playable prequel to ARK 2, will be released. This project serves as a testing ground for the new mechanics of the successor, including the Souls-like combat system.

Delays for Crystal Isles and Lost Island

The original plan for 2025 has been revised. The official additional maps Crystal Isles and Lost Island have been postponed to 2027. Studio Wildcard is prioritizing story content and the engine migration. The funding for external capacities for these maps will be significantly secured (my guess!!!) through the sales of the "Bob’s True Tales" packs and the Fantastic Tames series.

Outlook: ARK 2 in 2028

ARK 2 is officially scheduled for 2028. The game is currently in the prototype phase ("Vertical Slice"). Unlike the sci-fi focus of the Genesis add-ons, ARK 2 returns to its primitive roots. The active gameplay focuses on third-person melee combat, dynamic world events, and survival in small groups. Santiago, portrayed by Vin Diesel, remains the central figure of the narrative on the planet Arat.

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