"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 condemnation within the Ark community due to its heavy reliance on poorly executed generative AI imagery. The trailer, released following Snail Games’ announcement at GDC about their "in-house developed new expansion map, Ark: Aquatica," showcases an ambitious underwater setting where 95% of the gameplay takes place beneath the surface. This expansion is described by the studio as a non-canonical side story to the main Ark narrative.

The reaction 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 disgust in the top comment on the trailer, stating, "This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves." Other viewers echoed this sentiment, labeling the trailer as "pathetic" and "embarrassing." The trailer features numerous AI-generated visual errors, such as fish that blur in and out of existence, a grotesquely misshapen hand gripping a spear gun, a levitating octopus in front of an ambiguous shipwreck, and human feet transforming into flippers.

In response, the original developer of Ark: Survival Evolved, Studio Wildcard, has distanced itself from the controversy. On social media, the studio clarified that Ark: Aquatica is not being developed by their team, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to "Ark: Survival Ascended & Ark 2," and announcing excitement for the upcoming release of "Ark: Lost Colony" later this year.

The future of Ark 2 has been a topic of concern among fans, especially after missing its previously planned late 2024 release window. However, Studio Wildcard confirmed this week that the development of the dinosaur survival sequel is still underway. They also unveiled "Ark: Lost Colony," a new expansion for Ark: Survival Ascended that will set the stage for the sequel.

Adding to the trailer's intrigue, Ark: The Animated Series star Michelle Yeoh reprises her role in the Ark: Aquatica trailer.