Overview
- Announcement of Ark: Aquatica DLC featuring an underwater environment and 17 new species.
- The AI-generated trailer for the DLC faced criticism from fans on social media.
- Studio Wildcard, the developers, appear to be distancing themselves from Aquatica, reaffirming their commitment to Ark-related projects.
Yesterday marked a significant moment for the fans of the Ark series as developers finally mentioned the long-awaited Ark 2, indicating it would not be released this year.
Alongside the excitement for Lost Colony, Snail Games announced Ark: Aquatica, a “special ten-year anniversary DLC for Ark: Survival Evolved,” introduced with a new trailer showcasing its underwater setting.
Ark: Aquatica is described by Snail Games as an ambitious expansion with 95% of gameplay taking place underwater, featuring 17 new species, numerous items, fresh challenges, and an “intriguing storyline.”
However, what should have been a moment of celebration for Ark fans turned sour as backlash erupted over the AI-assisted creation of the entire trailer, including the voiceover. Many expressed their dissatisfaction on platforms like Resetera, labeling it as “tasteless and uninspired.”
Discussions on the Ark subreddit reflected similar sentiments, with one user criticizing Snail Games for opting for AI to generate the trailer to cut costs instead of hiring artists, questioning the company’s decision-making.
Within the first 11 hours of the trailer’s release, it amassed over 1,100 comments and garnered approximately 3,000 dislikes, compared to only 142 likes, indicating overwhelming disapproval from the community.
In a tweet ahead of the trailer launch, developers Studio Wildcard emphasized their focus on Ark: Survival Ascended and Ark 2, stating that “ARK: Aquatica is being developed by @SnailGamesUSA Colorado,” signaling a clear separation from the Aquatica project. TheGamer has reached out for further comments from both Studio Wildcard and Snail Games.
