Ragnarok für ASA
With the release on June 18, 2025, one of the most popular maps in the ARK community makes its comeback: Ragnarok Ascended will officially launch for ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA) – completely overhauled, modernized, and developed specifically for Unreal Engine 5.5 for the first time. Instead of a simple port, players can expect a complete remake created in close collaboration with the original mod developers Excited Kangaroo and Jackson Lawrence.
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From Fan Map to Official Highlight
Ragnarok was already a fan favorite in ARK: Survival Evolved: a massive 144 km² game world that combined elements from "The Island," "Scorched Earth," and its own biomes. With hot volcanoes, icy mountains, dense forests, hidden ruins, dungeon bosses, and rare creatures like ice wyverns or polar bears, it offered a full experience for both PvP and PvE.
With Ragnarok Ascended, the developers are now setting new standards: in addition to visual improvements such as more realistic lighting effects, clearer structures, and optimized performance, numerous gameplay elements have also been refined or expanded. Particularly notable are three new islands in the map layout and hints at a dynamic seasons system that could be introduced in the future.
New Creatures
Bison
With the release comes a new free creature: the Bison. This tamable creature impresses with its endurance, herd protection, and practical use. Male specimens are excellent as tanks – they are extremely resilient, aggressive towards larger predators, and defend their herd uncompromisingly. It has been observed that an angry bison can even withstand a T-Rex.
Female animals can produce bison milk after giving birth or during pregnancy – a new resource particularly suitable for raising wyverns, providing an alternative to the dangerous wyvern hunt. The milk is nutrient-rich and can support young creatures in their development.
The bison prefers to move in herds and reacts sensitively to larger predators like allosaurs – if it or a herd member is provoked, it will engage in close combat. Taming a bison is challenging due to its tough nature, but it is particularly rewarding for PvE players and breeders.
Griffin
Another highlight is the Griffin, which is now breedable for the first time. This gives breeders and flight enthusiasts new options for combat and mobility.
New DLC Shoulder Creature?
Additionally, a new paid shoulder creature has been discovered in the dev kit: a dragon-like glider that could exhibit different properties and appearances depending on the season. This feature has not yet been officially confirmed, but the hints are becoming more substantial.
Technical Innovations
Ragnarok Ascended is the first map fully developed for Unreal Engine 5.5. This allows for:
- Significantly improved graphics (lighting, shadows, draw distance)
- Shorter loading times
- More structural details and optimized performance
New Items & Features
In addition to the map itself, the update also brings new TEK items into the game, including a revamped TEK sword, TEK shield, and improved light sources. These are expected to offer noticeable advancements in both function and design compared to previous versions.
The ice wyverns have also been revamped: with a new breath attack, greater range, and visually updated nests. These changes make the hunt for wyvern eggs more exciting and tactical.
A Look into the Future: Lost Colony
With the Ragnarok update, the chapter Lost Colony also begins: the so-called Day-Zero content package is the first harbinger of an upcoming full-fledged DLC. Detailed information about the content and story is expected on June 18. What is certain is that those who purchase the Expansion Pass will already gain access to exclusive gameplay.
The community is speculating about new regions, factions, or even a lore-based expansion of the ARK story. It is clear that Lost Colony is intended to be much more than a classic map DLC, but also to provide a first small "impression" of ARK 2.
