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

A new trailer for the Ark: Survival Evolved expansion, Ark: Aquatica, released by publisher Snail Games, has sparked widespread condemnation within the Ark community. The trailer showcases what many fans describe as "appalling generative AI imagery," leading to a strong backlash.

Snail Games unveiled the trailer following their announcement at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) about their "in-house developed new expansion map, Ark: Aquatica." The expansion is set to be a non-canonical side story to Ark, featuring an ambitious underwater setting where 95% of the gameplay occurs beneath the surface.

The reaction from the community has been overwhelmingly negative. Irish YouTuber Syntac, a prominent figure in the Ark community with over 1.9 million subscribers, expressed his dismay in a top comment on the trailer, stating, "This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves." Other viewers echoed his sentiments, labeling the trailer as "pathetic" and "embarrassing."

The trailer is criticized for its use of AI-generated visuals, evident in numerous instances such as fish that blur in and out of existence, a grotesquely deformed hand holding a spear gun, a levitating octopus in front of an ambiguous shipwreck, and human feet transforming into flippers.

Behold the spectacle of a man's foot turning into a fin.

In response, the original developer of Ark: Survival Evolved, Studio Wildcard, has distanced itself from the project. The studio clarified on social media that Ark: Aquatica is not being developed by their team. Instead, Studio Wildcard emphasized their commitment to Ark: Survival Ascended and Ark 2, and announced a new expansion, Ark: Lost Colony, set to release later this year as a precursor to the sequel.

Amidst uncertainties surrounding Ark 2, which missed its previously planned late 2024 release window, Studio Wildcard confirmed this week that development is ongoing. They also introduced Ark: Lost Colony, an expansion for Ark: Survival Ascended that will lead into the sequel.

Adding to the trailer's allure, Ark: The Animated Series star Michelle Yeoh reprises her role in Ark: Aquatica.