It’s been 10 years since ARK: Survival Evolved launched on Steam Early Access, kicking off a decade of survival, creature taming, and epic community stories. The franchise achieved global success on PC, console, and mobile platforms, expanding with new maps, official mod support, a thriving creator ecosystem, and even an animated TV series.
Now, ARK: Survival Ascended for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 grows even larger. Players can participate in a brand-new in-game anniversary event, explore the massive new Lemnokis Island map added to the Astraeos DLC, and enjoy major performance improvements with the release of ARK’s Unreal Engine 5.5 update.
The 10-year celebration is now live in ARK: Survival Ascended from June 5 to 17, featuring a festive lineup of new in-game content. During this event, Survivors can collect event cake slices for bonuses, discover a vibrant set of Fiesta Dinos, and hype up celebrations with new cosmetics like the Party Outfit and Party Hat skins. There’s even a DJ Booth emote, Rave Dance, and remixed Club ARK Tropical Island to keep the party going.
The Unreal Engine 5.5 update brings a significant performance boost to ARK: Survival Ascended, with improved rendering, faster loading times, and a smaller base installation size thanks to optional DLC downloads. PlayStation 5 Pro players will see immediate benefits, including native PSSR support for up to 30% higher FPS and enhanced long-range shadow quality.
The first major content update for the Astraeos DLC arrives with the Lemnokis update, adding another huge, visually stunning island crafted by renowned ARK modder Nekatus. This sprawling new island features diverse biomes, hidden caves, and towering redwood trees, with ancient ruins and colossal statues hinting at lost civilizations. The lush expansion isn’t just for sightseeing—players can tackle the game’s first mini-boss duo, Kalydonios and Erymanthian, two gigantic boars wielding fire and poison. From deep-water resource hotspots to the mysterious offshore Maelstrom, and a glacial cavern hidden beneath the redwoods, Lemnokis teems with distant new adventures, prime building locations, and the return of fan-favorite Snow Owls.
