"Ark Fans Criticize AI-Generated Content in New Expansion Trailer"

The new Ark: Survival Evolved expansion trailer from publisher Snail Games has drawn significant ire from the Ark community, primarily due to its use of what many consider to be substandard generative AI imagery. The trailer, released following Snail Games’ GDC announcement of its “in-house developed new expansion map, Ark: Aquatica”, showcases an underwater setting where 95% of the gameplay is intended to occur beneath the surface. The studio positions this expansion as a non-canonical side story to the original Ark narrative.

Community backlash was swift and severe. Irish YouTuber Syntac, a prominent figure in the Ark community with over 1.9 million subscribers, expressed strong disapproval, stating, “This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves.” His comment, reflecting widespread sentiment, is currently the most upvoted on the Ark: Aquatica trailer. Other viewers echoed these sentiments, describing the trailer as “pathetic” and “embarrassing.” The use of AI-generated imagery in the trailer has been heavily criticized, with viewers pointing out numerous flaws such as fish that blur in and out of existence, a grotesquely distorted hand holding a spear gun, a levitating octopus near an ambiguous shipwreck, and human feet that inexplicably transform into flippers.

In response, the original developer of Ark: Survival Evolved, Studio Wildcard, has publicly distanced itself from the project. Through a clarification on social media, the studio emphasized that Ark: Aquatica is not being developed by their team and reaffirmed their commitment to the ongoing projects of Ark: Survival Ascended and Ark 2. They also announced excitement for the upcoming release of Ark: Lost Colony, a new expansion for Ark: Survival Ascended that will set the stage for the sequel.

The future of Ark 2 remains a topic of interest and speculation among fans, especially after it missed its previously planned late 2024 release window. However, this week’s confirmation from Studio Wildcard assures fans that development on the dinosaur survival sequel is still underway.

Adding to the trailer's appeal, Ark: The Animated Series star Michelle Yeoh reprises her role, bringing a familiar face to the contentious expansion.