ARK: Survival Ascended, the popular dinosaur-themed survival game, has received a major content update with the launch of the Scorched Earth map and the introduction of Bob’s Tall Tales, an episodic storytelling experience. Studio Wildcard has reimagined the Scorched Earth map in Unreal Engine 5, offering players a vast and unforgiving desert landscape to explore and conquer.
The Scorched Earth map features six distinct desert biomes, each with its own unique challenges and terrain. From the rugged badlands and towering dunes to the winding canyons and ancient ruins, players will encounter a plethora of new obstacles and hazards. The map also introduces a new dinosaur species, the Fasolasuchus, a sand-dwelling creature capable of launching surprise ambushes and creating treacherous sand whirlpools. If tamed, however, these formidable creatures can become valuable allies, using their tails to blind enemies with blasts of sand.
In addition to the Scorched Earth map, ARK: Survival Ascended has also launched Bob’s Tall Tales, an episodic adventure narrated by the voice talent of Karl Urban. In this expansion, players will join the legendary survivor Bob as he regales the young Meeka (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) with tales of his daring exploits and the history of the ARK universe. The first episode, Frontier Showdown, introduces a Western-themed setting, complete with saloons, frontier buildings, and buried treasure waiting to be uncovered.
One of the highlights of Frontier Showdown is the introduction of the massive Oasisaur, a gravity-defying island creature that can serve as an airborne sanctuary with reported curative abilities. Players can even construct small communities on the back of these colossal beasts. Furthermore, the episode promises new creatures, vehicles, and opportunities for exploration and taming.
Studio Wildcard has ambitious plans for Bob’s Tall Tales, with additional episodes scheduled for release in the coming months. Steampunk Ascent, set for Q4 2024, will take players on an underworld adventure with customizable ships and retro-futuristic gadgets. In Q1 2025, Wasteland War will pit rival tribes against each other in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, promising intense vehicle combat and action.
With the Scorched Earth map and Bob’s Tall Tales, ARK: Survival Ascended continues to evolve, offering players new challenges, environments, and narratives to immerse themselves in. Whether braving the scorching deserts or embarking on episodic adventures narrated by a legendary survivor, the game promises an ever-expanding world for players to explore, survive, and conquer.
