STEAMYDATA

ARK: Survival Ascended — patch notes and updates

Stored observation / content update:

Dated developer announcements recorded from Steam. Open the source for the complete update.

UpdateDateExcerpt / source
Community Crunch 505: Deep Dives & Technical Strides. What’s Surfacing Next!2026-05-02This week’s a big one. We’ve just rolled out a major version update for Lost Colony, packed with a mountain of fixes, improvements, and under-the-hood tuning. A lot of what you’ve been flagging, reporting, and asking about has been front and center for us, and this update is a direct result of that ongoing back-and-forth. Keep it coming, it’s making a difference. Just as importantly, existing content, systems, and long-standing issues are still very much in our sights, and this update continues that work. We’re committed to refining and improving the live game alongside new content, with more fixes and improvements planned as we move forward.
Community Crunch 504: From Shoulder to Savior2026-04-25Making a splash this summer with Bob’s True Tales: Tides of Fortune, the Tidepup is set to shake up the dynamics of Genesis 1 in a big way. Whether it stays perched on your shoulder or grows into something much larger, this curious companion brings a new kind of support to survival. Download in full resolution We’ve tamed creatures that fight, and creatures that flee. Not many refuse to stay down. The Tidepup feels familiar at first, a small companion that doesn’t ask for much. This curious creature lingers close, always watching and quick to respond. It has a habit of showing up when you need it most, surfacing when the tide turns against yo
Community Crunch 503: Burrowbuck, The Tunnel Trickster2026-04-18You’ve already caught a glimpse of the Burrowbuck… now it’s time to dig a little deeper. This peculiar horned hare may seem like nothing more than a fleeting shape in the dust, but those who’ve taken the time to observe it know better. There’s intent behind the way it vanishes, purpose behind every sudden tunnel and scattered trail. Beneath the surface lies a network, a safe spot, and if you take the time to earn its trust, something you can actually use to work the terrain in your favor. Download in full resolution Species: Antilolexus saxatilis Time: Unknown Diet: Herbivore Temperament: Aggressively Evasive The latest chimeric creature to c
Community Crunch 502: Claim the High Ground2026-04-11The Araneo TLC is taking shape, and it won’t be long before we can show you what’s been lurking in the dark. Voted in by the community during our Extra Life charity event, this eight-legged menace is getting more than just a touch-up. We’ve been reworking how it moves, how it hunts, and where it fits within the ARK ecosystem, with a focus on making it feel purposeful at many stages of play. Once dismissed as too small to serve as a proper mount, the Araneo is spinning a different story this time around. New saddle designs open up a surprisingly versatile role for those willing to think a little differently. With improved mobility and a new pe
Community Crunch 501: Down The Rabbit Hole2026-04-04Meet the Burrowbuck, a peculiar horned hare that seems pulled straight from folklore. Skittish but clever, this elusive creature is quick to vanish when threatened, kicking up blinding dirt before burrowing out of sight in the blink of an eye. Download in full resolution Those patient enough to earn its trust will discover there’s more to the Burrowbuck than meets the eye. Beneath the ground lies a surprisingly useful network of tunnels… though not every entrance leads where you might expect. Good luck, Survivors. Around here, the lucky rabbit’s foot tends to kick back. The Burrowbuck will be available on day one as the first release in our u
Community Crunch 500: Springing Into Eggcellent Adventures!2026-03-28Spring’s in the air on the ARK, and Eggcellent Adventure is about to bloom once again. Whether you’ve got a green thumb or just like collecting what you find along the way, there’s something new waiting for you this time around. Download in full resolution Eggcellent Adventure returns next week! Follow the trails of wild Bunny Dodos and Bunny Oviraptors to collect Bunny Eggs scattered across the ARK. These festive finds can be painted for fun or used to craft special holiday-themed cosmetics, including seasonal costumes and chibis. Get ready to hop into the celebration and make your ARK a little more eggstra! Start Date: Tuesday, March 31, 20
Community Crunch 499: Threading the Needle: The Araneo Zips Back In!2026-03-21You voted, you donated, and now it begins. Thanks to the incredible support shown during our Extra Life charity event, the first Extra Life TLC creature is almost ready to descend from its shadowy lair. The Araneo is evolving into something far more dangerous. No longer content to skitter at ground level, these overgrown spiders have begun claiming the high ground, using web-lines to traverse elevated terrain and drop down on unsuspecting prey with unnerving precision. We can’t wait to share more on what’s in store—but for now, just know that your impact is crawling its way into the ARK. Download in full resolution Species: Araneomorphus amal
Community Crunch 498: Introducing Acrocanthosaurus from ARK: Additions!2026-03-14We’re thrilled to welcome yet another long-awaited creature from Garuga123’s ARK: Additions into the official world of ARK: Survival Ascended. These incredible creatures continue to bring fresh gameplay, new challenges, and some seriously epic tames to the ARK. Download in full resolution The Acrocanthosaurus is stomping onto the scene as a brutal frontline powerhouse. Built for the thick of battle, this massive carnivore truly shines when the fight turns against it. The longer the fight goes, the more fearsome it becomes, turning injuries into momentum and refusing to back down when others might fall. But it is not just a savage attacker. Th
Community Crunch 497: Boar to be Wild2026-03-07The wilds of Astraeos keep getting wilder. Arriving this summer, Boaratos is not your typical forest brute. Towering at nearly twice the size of a Daeodon, this fiery juggernaut’s massive tusks carve through trees with surprising results, while its temper can quite literally ignite—setting its fur and tusks ablaze to unleash explosive attacks that leave enemies burning in its wake. This fearsome creature is based on a concept by DragonHeart, creator of the Arkology: Overseer’s Experiments mod, and it’s bringing a whole new kind of heat to Astraeos. Download in full resolution Expire servers are temporary servers across the network that will e
Community Crunch 496: Release the Kraken2026-02-28Beneath the waves, something new is lurking… Arriving later this year in Genesis Part 1, the latest community-voted creature brings a new kind of intelligence to the depths. Download in full resolution When exploring the wide underwater biomes, you may notice two very different moods beneath the waves. Sometimes the calm is shattered by a sudden, violent surge—a frantic rush of ink and power that suggests the depths have finally lost their patience. Other times, the seabed gains an extra stone… a coral formation grows a few more “branches”… and the ocean floor becomes suspiciously still. Disturb it at the wrong moment, and survivors will lear
Astraeos Mega Update is now live!2026-02-25TRAILER HERE Explore the vast new desert landmass of Pyranthos, shaped by myth, ruin, and survival. Far from an empty wasteland, Pyranthos is a hostile, ancient region where shifting sands give way to forgotten structures, buried pathways, and environments designed to test preparation as much as curiosity. This is a place built for exploration, but it doesn’t reward carelessness. Developed in Partnership with Nitrado, this update pushes Astraeos forward with new challenges across the map. Powerful creatures roam both the surface and the depths below, ancient forces stir in long-abandoned arenas, previously unexplored artifact caves beckon the
Community Crunch 495: Pyranthos awaits you!2026-02-21The dunes of Pyranthos are not getting any friendlier. Alongside the Deathworms you already know to fear, a new threat now prowls the sands: the Scorpion King and Queen. Massive and bloodthirsty, they are absolutely not something you want to stumble into unprepared. The desert doesn’t reward carelessness, and Pyranthos is happy to remind you. Download in full resolution Deeper in Pyranthos, the caves hold something else entirely. The minotaur Minotarchos awaits new challengers, and while it doesn’t rely on flashy gimmicks, its strength is worthy of its myth. Those who bring it down will be greatly rewarded and one step closer to defeating the
Community Crunch 494: Shell Yeah!2026-02-14The ocean doesn’t belong to the fastest. It belongs to the last one standing. With the Astraeos expansion arriving February 25th, the Grand Tortugar emerges as a mobile stronghold built for endurance. Beneath its massive armored shell lies something more than protection. Open its carapace and it becomes a living command post, allowing multiple riders to shelter within while defending from behind natural plating. Close it, and the Tortugar transforms into a near-impenetrable bastion with your crew breathing freely inside. It moves with steady purpose across both land and seabed, capable of walking the ocean floor and harvesting valuable resour
Community Crunch 493: It's Mate Boosting Season!2026-02-07Something feels different out in the wild. Creatures are pairing up, breeding lines are getting attention, and Survivors may want to clear some space in their bases. With Valentine’s Day approaching, Love Ascended is right around the corner! Download in full resolution Can you feel the love in the air? Love Ascended is set to sweep ARK survivors off their feet with an array of enchanting new treats and delights. This love-filled event, celebrating Valentine's Day, kicks off on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and will continue to spread joy and affection until Wednesday, February 18, 2026, on Official Servers. Starts on Wednesday, February 11, 2
Community Crunch 492: A Herculean Challenge Arises!2026-01-31This week, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the major challenges awaiting players with the next Astraeos update. Buried in the ruins of Pyranthos, this ancient, multi-headed monstrosity awaits. Defeating all five hungry heads will demand teamwork, timing, and a whole lot of firepower. Cut the heads from the body and the fight shifts, but only if your team stays in sync. Download in full resolution This encounter is only one part of what’s arriving on February 25th. Astraeos expands with Pyranthos, a massive desert landmass shaped by myth, ruin, and survival. Expect new threats above and below ground, long-abandoned arenas stirring bac
Community Crunch 491: The Sands Stir on Astraeos2026-01-24Astraeos expands in a big way on February 25th with the arrival of Pyranthos, a vast new desert landmass shaped by myth, ruin, and survival. Far from an empty wasteland, Pyranthos is a hostile, ancient region where shifting sands give way to forgotten structures, buried pathways, and environments designed to test preparation as much as curiosity. This is a place built for exploration, but it doesn’t reward carelessness. Download in full resolution Beyond the desert itself, this update pushes Astraeos forward with new challenges across the map. Powerful creatures roam both the surface and the depths below, ancient forces stir in long-abandoned
Community Crunch 490: The Future is Bright!2026-01-10We hope your year’s off to a good start, and that you’ve had a chance to spend some time recharging over the holidays, whether that meant catching up with loved ones, getting outside, or sneaking in a few extra gaming sessions. However you rang in the new year, it’s been great seeing players carving out their foothold in Lost Colony, sharing their stories, and pushing deeper into its frozen reaches.As the team comes back together and this new year gets going, we’re turning our focus to what’s coming next. Looking ahead, we want to share a high-level outline of what’s on the horizon for ARK: Survival Ascended.Below, you’ll find an updated prod
ARK 2025 Content Year-In-Review2025-12-28​2025 was a huge year for ARK: Survival Ascended. From epic new maps to creatures inspired by the community and massive expansions, players got to explore, tame, and battle like never before. This post rounds up some of the highlights– some coming straight from Wildcard, others brought to life by the community’s creativity. February 7, 2025 It’s Morphin’ time! Suit up and morph into legends with the iconic looks of the Green Ranger and White Ranger, or embrace your dark side as the nefarious Lord Zedd, Rita Repulsa, and more. And, once you're worthy, show off your zordplay by conquering the King Titan as a towering Megazord! Mighty Morphin Po
Season's Greetings and Happy Holidays 2025!2025-12-27As 2025 winds down, a huge thank you, Survivors. Your passion makes ARK what it is today. We’re heading into our annual holiday break to rest and recharge with loved ones before diving into the exciting year ahead. Don't worry, live operations and enforcement remain on duty if anything pops up while we’re away. May your holiday season be joyful and peaceful, across every map you call home! The Studio Wildcard team.
Community Crunch 489: Naughty, Nice, or Eaten, Raptor Claus Returns!2025-12-20Hear that jingle? That’s not your Parasaur. RaptorClaus is back at midnight, dropping gift boxes packed with juicy loot… plus Mistletoe for the nice and Coal for the naughty. Survey the skies, claim the drops, and don’t trust anyone "just watching." Winter Wonderland is live, Survivors! Download in full resolution Deck the halls with boughs of holly! Winter Wonderland returns with new presents and goodies for ARK survivors. The epic winter-themed holiday event begins on December 19, 2025 and will be live until January 5, 2026 on Official Servers. Dec 19th to Jan 5th PVP/PVE: 2x Harvesting, Taming, and Experience, and Breeding Small Tribes: 4.