Ark: Survival Ascended Reborn with UE5.5 and New DLC

After a rocky launch in October 2023, Ark: Survival Ascended is aiming to win back fans with a sweeping update built on Unreal Engine 5.5. Players can look forward to a new “performance-only” preset for mid-range PCs, the official Astraeos DLC expanded by Lemnokis Island, a spirited 10th-anniversary celebration, and several community-driven quality-of-life improvements.

• Unreal Engine 5.5 and performance-only preset: Optimized CPU/GPU load for smoother play on average rigs.
• Astraeos DLC: Explore lush biomes, ancient temples, and face two minibosses on Lemnokis Island.
• 10th-anniversary event: Collect festive loot, return of the Egg Incubator, tropical décor, and mod-inspired animations.
• Community requests: Modular DLC installation, automatic solo saves, and more granular settings.

Unreal Engine 5.5 and Performance-Only Preset

Studio Wildcard has reworked the core engine to reduce CPU and GPU strain. The new performance-only preset targets players on mid-tier hardware, promising sharper shadows, smarter antialiasing, and overall smoother framerates. While benchmarks on paper look encouraging, the community remains cautious after previous delays and late-breaking tweaks.

In testing, some players report framerate gains of up to 20% in dense jungle areas, but results vary widely by rig. Wildcard acknowledges that real-world performance will depend on individual setups and plans to roll out driver-level patches alongside the update.

Official Astraeos DLC: From Mod to Canon

Born as a fan-made mod by Nekatus, Astraeos has officially joined Ark’s DLC lineup. The centerpiece is Lemnokis Island, a fresh map filled with sprawling rainforests, hidden ruins, and dynamic weather events. Two new minibosses guard key locations, ensuring even veteran survivors will need strategy and preparation.

Available immediately with the update, Astraeos is fully integrated into the main menu and supports all of Ark’s core mechanics—taming, crafting, and base building. Wildcard also confirms future seasonal events will include Lemnokis as a playable region.

10th-Anniversary Festivities

To mark ten years of Ark, the anniversary event peppers every major map with festive rewards. Highlights include:

• Limited-edition tropical building pieces and banners.
• Rarer egg tiers for the Egg Incubator feature—back by popular demand.
• Decorative statues and lighting inspired by the Curiosity mod.
• Community-run challenges offering special skins and emotes.

This celebration not only honors long-time fans but also introduces new players to Ark’s creative mod culture.

Long-Requested Quality-of-Life Upgrades

Responding to community feedback, the update adds:

• Modular DLC installs: choose only the maps you play to save disk space.
• Automatic save checkpoints even in solo mode—never lose progress again.
• Expanded graphics sliders for finer control over textures, shadows, and effects.
• An optional low-latency network mode for smoother multiplayer sessions.

Looking Ahead

This major patch feels like a turning point for Ark: Survival Ascended. If the Unreal Engine 5.5 migration delivers on its promises, it could restore trust among players frustrated by the initial launch woes. The enriched content—especially the polished Astraeos DLC—and practical settings underscore that Studio Wildcard has been listening.

However, true test will be stability over the coming months. With Ark 2 on the horizon, Wildcard must prove that they can maintain a reliable live-service experience while developing new projects.

TL;DR

Ark: Survival Ascended switches to UE5.5 with a “performance-only” mode, officially adopts the fan-made Astraeos DLC with Lemnokis Island, rolls out a festive 10th-anniversary event, and adds key quality-of-life features. Stability in the wild remains to be seen.

Source: Studio Wildcard via GamesPress