Wildcard’s recent announcement to alter the content and price of the remastered version of Ark Survival Evolved has stirred controversy among players. Originally, the remaster was intended to be a free update for owners of the original game.
However, plans changed and the remaster became a separate product sold for $50 in a bundle with the Ark 2 preorder. This decision was met with backlash as players were further informed that the release of the remaster would result in the exclusion of servers for the original game.
To address player criticism, Wildcard has taken a different approach by increasing the price of Ark Survival Ascended to $60. The bundle includes access to all future expansions and maps created by the game community. However, the base game servers for the original version will still be down, and Ark 2 will need to be purchased separately.
The developers acknowledged their misstep in a Steam forum post, stating, “Our intention was to provide a bundle of two products for the price of one.
It wasn’t the best move though. It’s our fault; combining Ark Survival Ascended with Ark 2 and future DLCs wouldn’t be optimal, especially since you couldn’t rate the sequel because none of the content would be available yet.”
The response from players has been mixed, with some expressing appreciation for the opportunity to purchase the remastered version and all add-ons in one package.
However, there are many more who are critical of the price increase. “Wow, you found a way to make more money while pretending you were doing it for us,” notes Jedi Wookie. “It’s a cash jump. I’m not surprised people are abandoning this game,” adds Batfloke.
Ark Survival Ascended is scheduled for release in August 2023 and is being developed on Unreal Engine 5. It will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S consoles.
The debut of Ark 2 has been postponed until the end of 2024. The second part of the series will have a singleplayer gameplay focus with a more serious story, third-person view, and combat system inspired by the Soulslike genre.
Wildcard’s decision to increase the price of the remastered version of Ark Survival Evolved has generated strong reactions from the gaming community. The company’s initial plan to provide a bundle of two products for the price of one was met with criticism, and this latest decision has only added fuel to the fire.
While some players appreciate the opportunity to purchase the remastered version and all add-ons in one package, others are critical of the price increase. Regardless of the feedback, Ark Survival Ascended is set to release in August 2023 with new features, and players will have the opportunity to enjoy the game on multiple platforms.
