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

A new trailer for the Ark: Survival Evolved expansion from publisher Snail Games has sparked outrage within the Ark community due to its extensive use of substandard generative AI imagery. Released following Snail Games’ GDC announcement of the "in-house developed new expansion map, Ark: Aquatica," the expansion is pitched as a non-canonical side story set in an ambitious underwater environment where 95% of the gameplay occurs beneath the surface.

The backlash was swift and severe. Irish YouTuber Syntac, a prominent figure in the Ark community with over 1.9 million subscribers, condemned the trailer with a scathing comment: "This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves." His statement currently holds the top spot in the comments section of the Ark: Aquatica trailer. Other viewers echoed his sentiments, labeling the trailer as "pathetic" and "embarrassing." The trailer is criticized for its glaring AI-generated flaws, such as fish that blur in and out of existence, a grotesquely deformed hand gripping a spear gun, a levitating octopus in front of an indecisive shipwreck, and human feet morphing into flippers.

In response, the original developer of Ark: Survival Evolved, Studio Wildcard, quickly distanced itself from the controversy. The studio clarified on social media that Ark: Aquatica is not a project of their team, emphasizing their focus on "the production of Ark: Survival Ascended & Ark 2." They also announced their excitement for the upcoming release of Ark: Lost Colony later this year.

The future of Ark 2 has been a topic of speculation since it missed its previously planned late 2024 release window. However, Studio Wildcard confirmed this week that development on the dinosaur survival sequel is ongoing. Additionally, they unveiled Ark: Lost Colony, a new expansion for Ark: Survival Ascended that will serve as a precursor to the sequel.

Notably, Michelle Yeoh, star of Ark: The Animated Series, reprises her role in the trailer for Ark: Aquatica.