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

A new trailer for the Ark: Survival Evolved expansion, Ark: Aquatica, released by publisher Snail Games, has sparked widespread criticism from the game's community. The trailer, unveiled following Snail Games' announcement at GDC about their "in-house developed new expansion map," showcases an ambitious underwater setting where 95% of the gameplay unfolds beneath the surface. However, the trailer has been met with disdain due to its use of what appears to be generative AI imagery, which many fans find unacceptable.

Irish YouTuber Syntac, a prominent figure in the Ark community with over 1.9 million subscribers, expressed strong disapproval, stating, "This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves." His comment is currently the most prominent on the Ark: Aquatica trailer. Other viewers have echoed his sentiments, labeling the trailer as "pathetic" and "embarrassing." The trailer is criticized for its poor quality AI-generated visuals, including fish that blur in and out of existence, a deformed hand holding a spear gun, a levitating octopus in front of an ambiguous shipwreck, and human feet morphing into flippers.

Marvel as this man's foot magically turns into a fin.

In response to the backlash, the original developer of Ark: Survival Evolved, Studio Wildcard, has distanced itself from the project. The studio clarified on social media that Ark: Aquatica is not being developed by their team, emphasizing their focus on Ark: Survival Ascended and Ark 2. They also announced excitement for Ark: Lost Colony, a new expansion for Ark: Survival Ascended set to release later this year, which will lead into the sequel.

The future of Ark 2 had been uncertain after missing its planned late 2024 release window, but Studio Wildcard confirmed this week that development is ongoing. Additionally, Ark: The Animated Series star Michelle Yeoh reprises her role in the trailer for Ark: Aquatica.