Summary
The latestArk: Survival AscendedDLC,The Center,has been released with one worrying trend that could be a bad sign forArk 2. The highly anticipated sequel is expected in late 2024, but little news has been shared on its progress.Ascendedwas released as an upgraded version of the original game to hold the community over. However,Ascendedhas a high specification requirement and has often been criticized for the lack of availability to potential players.
Ascended’sThe CenterDLCis the next challenging new map for players to explore. This map is made up of every biome inArkwhile having a series of caves and deep ocean systems to explore. The DLC also added a few new powerful dinosaurs to tame. Two amazing aquatic options are the aggressive scrapper Xiphactinus and the prehistoric submarine Shastasaurus. Overall,The Centeris a great content update but has begun a potential practice that could be a bad sign forArk’s future.
10 Coolest Ark: Survival Ascended Mod Creatures That Need To Come To The Base Game
Though Ark: Survival Ascended has a plethora of amazing dinosaurs, the community has created plenty of cool options that should be in the base game.
New Paid Ark: Survival Ascended Creature Causes Worry About The Future
A Fiery New Addition
Thenew Pyromane has caused backlashdue to it being the first solo paid creature and the possibility that this practice will continue intoArk 2. It is part of the newFantastic TamesDLC that seems to add a series of fictional creatures,eachneeding to be purchased individually. The Pyromane costs $5 and cannot be accessed or tamed without purchase.
The Pyromane is a fascinating new addition to the franchise, capable of being extremely powerful. Firstly, it can shift into a small cat form and ride around on the player’s shoulder. In this form, it can be utilized as a mini flamethrower. In its base form,the Pyromane can traverse lava without taking damage and setting enemies on fire with melee or dash attacks. Lastly, it can absorb flames to reach a threshold and evolve into its final form.
Pyromane also has a handful of non-combat abilities that make it a useful tame. It can cook meat by placing it in its inventory, and keep jerky fresh for a longer period. Pyromanes can also be used as an alternative power source for a forge. All of these abilities combine to make this fiery feline a versatile powerhouse, which makes its price tag a complication.
A Controversial Supporting System
With the release of the Pyromane, two stances have been taken regarding the practice of releasing standalone paid creatures. The good side of it is the minimal cost of them, and thatthe purchase goes toward supporting the developers. This is important sinceAscendedis a one-time purchase and the DLC, unlike inEvolved, is all free. Thus, these small microtransactions give the team some form of added funding while the majority of their resources go toArk 2.
However, the bad side of this is worrying about the impact it can have on gameplay. While in PvE, not having access to Pyromanes is negligible, butthey could prove to be a huge advantage in PvP. The ability to easily traverse lava and control larger areas with fire could easily prove to be unfair for those without Pyromanes. It should be said that this can be accomplished with other mounts, though to varying levels, but anytime there is an unfair difference in power between players it gets to be a tricky line to balance.
Another popular argument against this practice is thatmicrotransactions should be reserved for cosmetics andworthwhile huge crossovers. This is the method many other games prefer, and though the price ranges can be tricky, it has largely worked. This way, the developers can receive extra funding and the community does not have to worry about potential pay-to-win products like the Pyromane.
Why Microtransaction Creatures In Ark 2 Is A Horrible Idea
Breaking An Already Uneasy Balance
In a game likeArk, where PvP servers are a large part of the appeal,adding microtransactions that are pay-to-win is a fast way to kill the game. Even if the price is on the cheaper end, some will not have the ability or want to purchase more than what they already have. The question will also arise about why these new creatures could not have been wrapped up into a bigger DLC that players are willing to spend on.
The other large argument against creature microtransactions is the balance of the game. A case can be made that the Pyromane is not strong enough to warrant any outcry, but that doesn’t mean all future additions will be like that. These creatures need to be appealing and powerful, so players want to buy them. This creates an unequal balance where some could feel like the game is pointless to play if they constantly run into others with stronger dinosaurs they do not have access to.
A smaller point, but one still worth mentioning, is what this could do for servers inArk 2. Those not being hosted officially could start to disable these creatures, if possible, or outright ban them.This then begins a problem of dividing the player baseand possibly limiting who can play with whom. Overall, while these creatures are unlikely to affect PvE servers, the effect they will have on PvP is massive.
New creatures inArk, whether real or fictional, are never a bad thing, but the way they are implemented needs to be good. This method, though not overly outrageous cost-wise, is just inviting scrutiny and unneeded controversy. It is unknown if this outcry will cause any change, but perhaps the one concessionArkcould make is disabling these new additions on PvP servers. As of now, only time will tell if thisArk: Survival Ascendedpractice continues and how it affects the game, but it is a worrying trend for the future ofArk 2.
Ark: Survival Ascended
ARK: Survival Ascended is a reimagined version of the 2017 action-adventure survival MMORPG by the developers at Studio Wildcard and Grove Street Games. Built in Unreal Engine 5, players will return to ARK to build tribes, fight and tame dinosaurs, and brave the elements as they battle to survive in a unique sandbox where crafting and resource management is essential.
