Ark Fans Criticize AI-Generated Content in Expansion Trailer

A new trailer for the Ark: Survival Evolved expansion from publisher Snail Games has sparked widespread outrage within the Ark community due to its use of substandard generative AI imagery. The trailer, which follows Snail Games’ GDC announcement of their "in-house developed new expansion map, Ark: Aquatica," has been met with fierce criticism. The expansion is described as a non-canonical side story to Ark, set in an "ambitious underwater setting featuring 95% of gameplay taking place beneath the surface."

Irish YouTuber Syntac, a prominent figure in the Ark community with over 1.9 million subscribers, expressed his strong disapproval, stating, "This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves." His comment currently holds the top spot on the Ark: Aquatica trailer's comment section. The general sentiment among viewers mirrors Syntac's reaction, with many labeling the trailer as "pathetic" and "embarrassing." The trailer showcases numerous AI-generated errors, 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 ambiguous shipwreck, and human feet that morph into flippers.

In response, the original developer of Ark: Survival Evolved, Studio Wildcard, has publicly distanced itself from the project. They clarified on social media that Ark: Aquatica is not being developed by their team, emphasizing their commitment to "Ark: Survival Ascended & Ark 2," and expressing excitement about the upcoming release of "Ark: Lost Colony" later this year.

Amidst uncertainty about the future of Ark 2, which missed its previously planned late 2024 release window, Studio Wildcard confirmed this week that development is ongoing. They also announced "Ark: Lost Colony," a new expansion for Ark: Survival Ascended that will serve as a prelude to the sequel.

Notably, the trailer for Ark: Aquatica features Michelle Yeoh, reprising her role from "Ark: The Animated Series."