Hey Survivors! Welcome to the latest edition of the Community Crunch!

The Community Crunch is where we share important things going on with ARK, as well as host contests and showcase creations made by the community! Let's get started with some news.

Mysterious Mysteries: Introducing ???????

What an intriguing discovery survivors, can you guess what creature it is?

ARK Digest 50!

Here is our special Aberration edition question and answer session with Lead Designer, Lead Programmer, Co-Creative Director of ARK: Survival Evolved, and Co-Founder of Studio Wildcard: Jeremy "Drake" Stieglitz!

Survivor Eschmidty505 asks, "Will Aberration have an Ascension boss like the island?"

Quote Yes, along with an increased Ascension level and a narrative-advancing ending!

Survivor NeckRipper asks, "Will dlc content carrier over to the different arks island, center and rag? Like zipline, ice picks ect…"

Quote Yes, it will, and all of the items are being designed to be useful on more than just Aberration.

Survivor danleveille asks, "How will taming work in Aberration? Will there be any major changes to the taming mechanic or will it remain roughly similar? Will there be Kibble? Asking for a friend."

Quote For your “friend”, I can say that while most creatures will be similar in core mechanics to The Island creatures, there are a few that are rather batsh$t crazy to tame. One even involves xenomorphic impregnation and chestbursting.

Survivor xViiVD asks, "I have heard from multiple sources that there will be no fliers on this map. Will you restrict any form of transferring fliers or will tribes be allowed to move pteras and wyverns over to Aberration from the island?

Quote By default and on Official Servers there will not be any rideable fliers transferrable onto the map, in order to encourage new forms of traversal. This will be a server option of course.

Survivor OnePotatoChip asks, "Does this map have more of a PvE focus or at least more PvE oriented content?"

Quote In my view Aberration is the most PvE oriented ARK yet, with more story development than ever before, and more unique non-natural mythos “landmarks” to find and explore.

Survivor WeebTrash asks, "I heard that because of how Aberration's map is designed, gamma won't work on it to make it lighter, is this true? If so, is there gonna be a server option for unofficials to enable gamma working on that map?"

Quote Not sure where you heard that, no plans to change the current gamma functionality.

Survivor RaifuForLaifu asks, "What are "Element Chambers"?"

Quote They are zones of intense radiation where it is possible to collect Element Ore, as well as encounter certain hideous, aggressive creatures.

Survivor HighFlyer15 asks, "Unlike Scorched Earth, where we saw a whole lot of creatures from the Island, can we expect only to see new creatures on Aberration?"

Quote Aberration will include various biome-appropriate creatures from The Island, similar to Scorched Earth.

Survivor Wolf Angelus asks, "What has persuaded you guys to go the sci-fi approach? You could have picked many different routes, but what was the logical thought for this choice, and the incorporation of radiation, and other such things that are "space-themed"?"

Quote Specifically in this case, Aberration was chosen in order to develop the next story arc of… ARK!

Survivor Blackwolfe asks, "Will the cliff platforms be like the tree platforms in the way that they can only be placed in specific spots or will you be able to place them anywhere? Will you be able to snap things on cliff platforms?"

Quote You can build the cliff platforms onto ANY surface that has sufficient attachment area, not only at pre-determined locations.

Survivor PuffyPony asks, "A big part of Aberration is the idea that a malfunctioning ARK led to mutations in its population. Are we getting/can we get lore into what developed into what? Like the Lantern Pug appears to be a mutated Angler, the Rock Drake could be a Megalania, the crazy Mysterious Mysteries #1 a Thylacoleo... I'd love to get some of the background on that, since it'd tie the DLC into the base game nicely."

Quote Yes, there will be some indications along those lines. What developed into the Nameless?

Survivor alcarazr asks, "Will we be able to directly harvest Element in Aberration, either as a resource (with a new tool, such as a special pick) or by killing certain creatures?"

Quote Yes.

Survivor Deaner asks, "Will Aberration have a new building tier just like Scorched Earth got the adobe building tier?"

Quote It won’t have a completely unique tileset, but will have a lot of new utility structures.

Survivor lysergicsid asks, "It was mentioned that the Ark in Aberration has an unstable atmosphere, leaks, etc. so how does that tie into the gameplay, if at all? Like are there some areas where you can suffocate outside of water? If so, will there be any masks or tools that can counteract this?"

Quote Yes there are areas with Low or No Oxygen, and of course the incredibly harsh surface radiation, along with various other environmental hazards. Yeah, there’s a new Hazard Suit designed to aid in counter-acting SOME of these conditions.

Survivor TalSet asks, "This world is supposed to be hostile with mutants correct? Is it going to be one of those situations where its very difficult to start and you constantly die as you spawn?"

Quote We’re trying to make the initial difficulty ramp more forgiving on this ARK, for example the giant “Fertile Chamber” is actually pretty chill, and things get more difficult the deeper you go...

Survivor DauntedVenus asks, "Well, the question most of the community will ask is... will there be legacy servers for this DLC?"

Quote Of course!

Survivor DiloFodder asks, "Will you be able to fire weapons from the back of the rock wyvern? I think it would be equal parts amazing and terrifying to have a firing platform for a sniper that functions as a glider and can utilize a basic active camouflage and would be awesome to use for guerrilla style warfare."

Quote Yes.

Survivor Ashtray asks, "Will the cave climbing picks be able to be used freely on any cliff/cave or only on certain areas?"

Quote Freely on essentially any surface

Survivor Colonel Siberia asks, "How useful a role will regular land animals with no climbing dynamics be in moving about? Will we be able to go from one biome to the next without needing to switch to a more mobile creature like the showcased rock drake? Or will there be geographical limitations that necessitate adding all-terrain creatures to our arsenals and adapting to the topography?"

Quote Most of Aberrations creatures have capabilities to move through the complex environment, and there are also new structures to aid in both primitive and high-tech dino mobility...

Survivor Colonel Siberia asks, "How will earthquakes change the way players build their bases and raise their dinos? Are the earthquakes capable of damaging structures and, if so, are there any ways we can mitigate these effects?"

Quote They are capable of damaging structures, but they’re only intense in certain areas of certain biomes. Building permanent bases there is not advised!

Survivor Colonel Siberia asks, "How will radiation affect the way players explore and how will hazard suits work with the system? Will there be any strange creatures that survive, and possibly even thrive, in radiation zones? Is the radiation solely on the surface, or will we encounter some underground, as well?"

Quote Yes, a few creature types benefit from radiation. It’s not solely on the surface, but is most intense there. The Hazard Suit mitigates radiation and other extreme environmental dangers, but its durability is decreased over time when under such effects.

ARK: 2x Evolution Event Weekend!

Survivors across ALL Platforms will be receiving a special Evolution Event perk this weekend! It's already live now and will remain active until Monday the 25th at 12PM EST. All Official Servers will be undergoing this evolutionary change which includes:

2x Harvesting Rate

2x Taming Rate

2x EXP Rate

2x Maturing

2x Hatching

2x Gestation

2x Faster Mating Interval Rates

Community Contests!

Player Procedurally Generated Maps!

The Procedurally Generated Map system allows players to make their own ARK maps by determining a myriad of landscape options from the heights of mountains, depths of valleys, and the number of lakes, rivers or oceans, to the kinds of each biome they want, and more! Let's check out the entries for this weeks contest! This week's contest winner is... EXFIB0!

PGMapName=ProcdeuralARK20170922101007 PGTerrainPropertiesString=MapSeed=210;LandscapeRadius=1.0;Water Frequency=5.486876;Mountains Frequency=15.961546;Mountains Slope=2.399481;MountainsHeight=1.097475;Turbulence Power=0.0125;Shore Slope=1.0;WaterLevel=-0.72;GrassDensity=1.0;JungleGrassDensity=0.02;ErosionSteps=4;TreesGroundSlopeAccuracy=0.5;DepositionStrength=0.5;ErosionStrength=0.75;OceanFloorLevel=-1.0;SnowBiomeSize=0.520072;RWBiomeSize=0.026648;MountainBiomeStart=-0.599654;MountainsTreeDensity=0.01;JungleBiomeStart=-0.731475;IslandBorderCurveExp=4.0;MaxSawnPointHeight=0.1;SnowGrassDensity=0.25;MountainGrassDensity=0.05;SnowMountainGrassDensity=0.15;UnderwaterObjectsDensity=0.5;SnowMountainsTreeDensity=0.01;TreeDensity=0.003;JungleTreeDensity=0.66;RedWoodTreeDensity=0.35;SnowTreeDensity=1.0;RedwoodGrassDensity=0.1;ShoreTreeDensity=0.05;SnowShoreTreeDensity=0.025;DeepWaterBiomesDepth=-0.24;InlandWaterObjectsDensity=0.5;ShorelineStartOffset=0.01;ShorelineThickness=0.0015;MountainGeneralTreesPercent=0.1;TerrainScaleMultiplier=(X=1.0f,Y=1.0f,Z=1.0f);SnowBiomeLocation=(X=0.2f,Y=0.2f);RWForestBiomeLocation=(X=0.5f,Y=0.5f);NorthRegion1Start=(X=0.25f,Y=0.0f);NorthRegion1End=(X=0.416f,Y=0.5f);NorthRegion2Start=(X=0.416f,Y=0.0f);NorthRegion2End=(X=0.582f,Y=0.5f);NorthRegion3Start=(X=0.582f,Y=0.0f);NorthRegion3End=(X=0.75f,Y=0.0f);SouthRegion1Start=(X=0.25f,Y=0.5f);SouthRegion1End=(X=0.416f,Y=1.0f);SouthRegion2Start=(X=0.416f,Y=0.5f);SouthRegion2End=(X=0.582f,Y=1.0f);SouthRegion3Start=(X=0.582f,Y=0.5f);SouthRegion3End=(X=0.75f,Y=1.0f);EastRegion1Start=(X=0.75f,Y=0.0f);EastRegion1End=(X=1.0f,Y=0.333f);EastRegion2Start=(X=0.75f,Y=0.333f);EastRegion2End=(X=1.0f,Y=0.666f);EastRegion3Start=(X=0.75f,Y=0.666f);EastRegion3End=(X=1.0f,Y=1.0f);WestRegion1Start=(X=0.0f,Y=0.0f);WestRegion1End=(X=0.25f,Y=0.333f);WestRegion2Start=(X=0.0f,Y=0.333f);WestRegion2End=(X=0.25f,Y=0.666f);WestRegion3Start=(X=0.0f,Y=0.666f);WestRegion3End=(X=0.25f,Y=1.0f) PGLastPreset=0

If you'd like to learn more about PGMs, please check out our quick start guide:

NVidia Ansel Photography Contest

Super Resolution Version: http://images.nvidia.com/ansel/SuperResolution/ARK-SuperResolution1/ARK__Survival_Evolved_HighRes_2016_09_01_-_14_38_36_55.html

ARK: Survival Evolved and the Scorched Earth Expansion Pack now include support for NVIDIA Ansel -- a revolutionary new way to capture in-game shots. Compose shots from any position, adjust with post-process filters, capture HDR images in high-fidelity formats, and share the screenshots in 360 via a smartphone, PC or VR headset.

Learn more about these features from the NVIDIA blog.

Now let’s get to the contest!

There were 3 potential categories for survivors to enter their shots into and they were the following:

Three Categories

Super Resolution: These should be taken at 8x Super Resolution. Players can optionally use Depth of Field effects accessible in Spectator mode by pressing the [Delete] key.

Panoramic 360 Stereoscopic 3D: These should be taken at 4x Super Resolution, in 360 Stereoscopic 3D mode. We will crop them to 2D for web display, while also providing the 3D version for viewing within VR display.

Freeform: Any settings, whacky and creative use of Ansel filters are encouraged. Adding humorous titles/captions in Photoshop is also acceptable for this category!

And now without further ado, here are your entries!

You’ll want to click on the image title to be able to download the maximum size image, we’ve resized them for display purposes

Super Resolution!

Winner!

Ash - Final Battle

Runners up!

Ego - Nom!

Squidge Meister by Direct Hit!

roguewolf91 - The Face of Fear

Honourable Mentions!

Ego - The watcher of the depths

Wolf Angelus - Travelling With The Pack

Wolf Angelus - Mini-Dino Park

Wolf Angelus - Action Stunt Shot, Take 2

Soul53 by Relaxing Flight

Soul53 by Dipping Wingtips

Soul53 by Light in the Dark

Soul53 by Cave Exploring

Soul53 by Chilly Fly

Soul53 - Aerial Attack

Squidge Meister - Rising Air Currents

Squidge Meister by Poop in Fear

Pollti - The Iceworm Queen awakes

Pollti - Tek Sword & Fire Wyvern

Pollti - Fight the Lava Golem

Pollti - Bionic Rex

Pollti - Bionic Giga

LysergicSid - Under Construction

EXFIB0 - Fire

EXFIB0 - Hurt

EXFIB0 - Ice Wyvern

Valoule - Drone pilote

BatmanTDKR - Stormbringer

Ash - Somewhere in a far galaxy

Ash - Something went wrong

Ash - Look into Its eye

Ash - Blade Runner

Panoramic 360 Stereoscopic 3D!

Winner!

Valoule - Fireflies

Honourable Mentions!

EXFIB0 - Crystals

EXFIB0 - Floating Islands

Wolf Angelus - Aquarium Reception

Wolf Angelus - Air Dome

EXFIB0 - Sea Crystals

roguewolf91 - Winter's Embrace

Wolf Angelus - Cave

Wolf Angelus - Exploring With The Pack

Wolf Angelus - Gift Shop

Wolf Angelus - Open Cages

Wolf Angelus - Restaurant

Wolf Angelus - Splash Zone

Wolf Angelus - Water Show

Freeform!

Winner!

F1r3fly - Attack on Titan

Runner Up!

Valoule - ARKY POTTER

Honourable Mentions!

Squidge Meister - Going Ham 2

roguewolf91 - Olympus Tourism Postcard

Wolf Angelus - (Graffiti Poster) ARKham Joker's Revenge

ARKVideo!

This contest is open to all types of video be they funny, epic, scenic, stories, whatever inspires you. Just a general reminder that they should remain safe for work, think of the children!

And without further ado, the ARKVideo for Community Crunch 104 is...

Eco's Garden Decor Mod | Official Cinematic Showcase by Jukari!

ARKitect!

This is an award given to Survivors to celebrate the amazing structures you build. These bases are judged based upon a number of different factors such as their creativity, uniqueness, how fun of a base it is, the difficulty of building it, the functionality it provides and much more!

The ARKitect for Community Crunch 104 is…

a three-way tie! Between...

Spark Invaders (Playable !) by Valoule!

The Krusty Krew's Henrietta by DoctorEnema!

and Ragnarok UNDERWATER BASE Atlantis BASE TOUR | Ark Survival [NO MODS] by badassunicorn!

If you'd like to check out the submissions from the rest of the entrants, you can do so here:

Fan Feature!

THE MOST DISTURBING THING HAPPENED TO ME IN ARK! INSANE CLOWN TROLLING! by nakedzombo

INTRODUCING THE CLEMENTINE by ranger1presents

Ark: Scorched Earth TV by Dax and Tag

New Wyvern Trench Foot Excursion by MonkeyManTV

4 Days Of Official Server PvP | [ PvP Montage/Compilation] by EXFIB0

Brians the Carnos bad day. by LordVargar

ARK 100 Ways To Die - Scorched Earth Deaths With the Gaming Evolved Crew! by Myndmelt

Fort Stone Fall by The Pilgrim

Smurf Village by Lusaka6

Huge base build on tree platforms on Ragnarok Ark Survival Evolved by Travis138

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by milokamilo



http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1141755995

EL TORO by milokamilo



http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1138908854

Majungasaurus by milokamilo



http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1136666541

Security Guard Kentrosaurus by Sharkcat



http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1140357812

Desert Camo Kentrosaurus by Sharkcat



http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1140266800

Snow Camo Kentrosaurus by Sharkcat



http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1139633511

Forest Camo Kentrosaurus by Sharkcat



http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1139618790

Wip / Rip my character by Tsumegön



http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1139472675

Dodoraptor Concept art by DodoRupter666



http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1137939072

Shockal and the Phoenix



http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1136609996

Sivatherium Dossier (FAN MADE) by Davey Jones



http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1135928947

That's it for this post guys! As always if you’ve got anything to share please get in touch and be sure to follow us on:

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All the best,

Studio Wildcard