The ARK: Survival Evolved universe has expanded dramatically since its release in 2015. With ten maps now available on the console and PC version, it seems Studio Wildcard just wants to keep giving, despite already having a huge sequel looming.
Many ARK fans may have speculated that Genesis 2 would be the last DLC of this game, as Studio Wildcard slowly moves its attention onto ARK 2. However, during the summer of 2021, a new map was revealed for ARK that will be free to download. This map is called Lost Island and is due for release December 14th, an early Christmas present for ARK players. Whether this will be the final map expansion for console and PC is unknown, so all players can do is enjoy the added content while it lasts.
Added Content In ARK's Lost Island DLC
From the screenshots revealed by Studio Wildcard, the landscape of Lost Island looks like a mixture of The Island, Ragnarok, and The Center. Two of the shots feature large buildings, hinting that there may be a whole collection of interesting ruins for players to explore. Biomes including jungles, snow, mangrove swamps, and redwood forests span over an area of 150 square kilometers, making it one of the largest maps in the game. ARK fans can also anticipate a volcanic biome, with one of the screenshots showing an erupting volcano, like the one found in Ragnarok.
As for new creatures introduced with Lost Island, Studio Wildcard handed the power over to the ARK community for the first time, letting them vote for their preferred creatures through the Community Crunch. This is a feature Wildcard introduced to keep players up to date, posting regular updates and information onto the community forum pages. In Community Crunch 274, players had the option to vote for one creature out of a small selection, with the most voted creature becoming part of the added content for Lost Island. This process was repeated three times, deciding which new creatures would be introduced.
The first creature confirmed to appear on Lost Island was the Amargasaurus Titanicus, a real-world sauropod dinosaur belonging to the same family as the Bronto and Diplo. As noted in its dossier, this creature roamed the Earth during the early Cretaceous period, existing on a diet of vegetation. However, despite its herbivorous nature, the Amargasaurus is aggressive and will attack on sight. It also has spines running along its body that can be used by players as a weapon against enemies, ejecting them as either fire or ice missiles. This ability may prove useful in PvP battles, for more than just soaking turrets.
The Dinopithecus, featured in Community Crunch 287, was the second creature to be confirmed by Wildcard for Lost Island. Differing from the other two, this creature is a mammal, resembling a giant and terrifying baboon that can climb up vertical surfaces. This enlarged monkey roams in a pack with several others, the highest-level one acting as alpha, similar to Dire wolves and Hyaenodons. The most interesting element to these primates is their ability to fling dung at enemies, and although this is seemingly harmless, it contains a tek-disabling parasite that could cause havoc during PvP.
Confirmed in September, the Sinomacrops Bondei was the last creature voted on by players for Lost Island. The Sinomacrops is a real-world pterosaur from the Jurrasic era, similar to the Dimorphodon. This small insectivore has a cute disposition and colorful eye markings on its wings, which when combined with its high-pitched shriek can scare away or even stun attacking enemies. When mounted on the player’s shoulder, they function as a second inventory, offering weight reduction. They can also bear the player’s weight above ground, acting as a parachute whilst the player holds onto its feet, a cheap way of avoiding fall damage.
Along with the approaching Winter Wonderland event, ARK players have a lot to be excited about in the run up to Christmas. Lost Island will provide a new land for players to explore and build on, while experimenting with the new tames. Until ARK 2 is released, it is impossible to predict when the game’s evolution will come to a stop. However, if this is the last map expansion for ARK: Survival Evolved, Studio Wildcard have managed it well, letting players take part in deciding the latest content.
ARK: Survival Evolved is available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.