KI generiertes Bild aus Mischung von Atlas und ARK (Shastasaurus)
Genesis Part 1 fundamentally transforms the ASA architecture. At the center is the paid DLC "Tides of Fortune," part of the "Bob’s Tall Tales" package. Studio Wildcard aims for a release in summer 2026. However, since Lead Product Manager Dollie resides in Australia, the term "summer" should be taken with caution – in the worst case, December 1 is meant. Before the sails are raised, the Unreal Engine 5.7 update in April or May 2026 will provide the essential technical framework. The community and the modding elite are already buzzing with anticipation.
A cohesive ocean instead of isolated biomes
The biggest change to the Genesis 1 map concerns the fundamental architecture. While the original version consisted of isolated biomes that players had to teleport between, the new version will offer a continuous, map-wide water world. This global ocean serves as a link between the various zones. This eliminates the fragmented structure of the past, paving the way for true maritime exploration. To facilitate movement in the swamp areas, the Paleoctopus will also be introduced, a creature that emerged from a community vote with over 23,000 votes.
The Atlas DNA
Studio Wildcard makes no secret that "Tides of Fortune" greatly benefits from the technical developments of their pirate epic Atlas. Co-founders Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak confirmed that the expertise in network-simulated ocean physics and shipbuilding was directly taken from the Atlas project. However, while Atlas failed due to extremely tedious gameplay mechanics and draconian penalties for loss, the system in ARK is intended to be significantly more accessible. The goal is to maintain the satisfying physics and feel of a real ship without deterring players with excessive grind potential. The construction and maintenance of ships will be made more efficient, so that a sunken ship no longer means the loss of dozens of hours of work.
Water physics through Unreal Engine 5.7
The upcoming engine update is much more than a mere optimization. It enables the realistic representation of wave action, foam formation, and light refraction on the water surface. Combined with the new ships, this creates a physical interaction that ARK has previously lacked. The ships in "Tides of Fortune" are not static platforms but modular customizable vehicles. Players can place attachments like cannons, build regular structures on the decks, and of course, bring their dinosaurs on board. With the improved network physics, these large structures are expected to remain stable even in rough seas, opening up new technical possibilities for both the base game and the modding community.
For more information:
- Official Wiki: https://ark.wiki.gg/wiki/Tides_…
- Interview with Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak https://www.pcgamer.com/games/s…
