The new Ark: Survival Evolved expansion trailer from publisher Snail Games has sparked widespread condemnation within the Ark community due to its use of evidently poor-quality generative AI imagery. The trailer was released following Snail Games’ GDC announcement of its new expansion map, "Ark: Aquatica," which the studio describes as a non-canonical side story set in an ambitious underwater environment, with 95% of the gameplay occurring beneath the surface.
The response 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, stating, “This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves.” His comment, reflecting the sentiment of many viewers, currently holds the top spot under the trailer on YouTube.
Other viewers echoed Syntac's sentiments, labeling the trailer as "pathetic" and "embarrassing." The trailer is criticized for its numerous instances of AI-generated errors, such as fish that appear and disappear unpredictably, a grotesquely misshapen hand holding a spear gun, an octopus seemingly levitating in front of a shipwreck that morphs inconsistently between a rock and a ship, and human feet that bizarrely transform into flippers.
In response to the backlash, original Ark: Survival Evolved developer Studio Wildcard has quickly distanced itself from the project. On social media, the studio clarified that Ark: Aquatica is not being developed by their team, emphasizing their focus on "Ark: Survival Ascended & Ark 2," and expressing excitement about the upcoming "Ark: Lost Colony," a new expansion set to bridge into the sequel.
Amidst uncertainty following the missed late 2024 release window for Ark 2, Studio Wildcard reaffirmed this week that development on the anticipated dinosaur survival sequel is ongoing. They also announced "Ark: Lost Colony," a new expansion for Ark: Survival Ascended that will set the stage for the sequel.
Adding to the trailer's appeal, actress Michelle Yeoh, known for her role in "Ark: The Animated Series," makes a return appearance in the Ark: Aquatica trailer.
