How Many DLC Maps Does Ark Have? A Comprehensive Guide
ARK: Survival Evolved is a sprawling survival game with a massive amount of content, thanks in large part to its numerous downloadable content (DLC) expansions. But just how many DLC maps are there? The answer is 12, as of the most recent information. These DLCs significantly expand the base game with new environments, creatures, resources, and gameplay mechanics. Understanding the scope of these additions is key to appreciating the vastness of the ARK experience. These DLCs offer a range of diverse and captivating worlds to explore, enhancing the core gameplay loop with fresh challenges and opportunities.
ARK’s Free and Paid DLC Landscape
While all of the DLCs add new content, it is important to differentiate between free DLC maps and paid DLC expansions. Six of the available maps are completely free, offering players extensive new areas to explore without additional cost. These free maps include:
- Fjordur
- Lost Island
- Ragnarok
- Valguero
- Crystal Isles
- The Center
The remaining paid DLCs add significantly more content, usually including unique creatures, items, and storylines that greatly enrich the Ark experience. The paid DLCs, usually sold in season passes, can cost between $14.99 and $59.99, depending on the platform and bundle. These paid content packs usually include:
- Scorched Earth
- Aberration
- Extinction
- Genesis: Part 1
- Genesis: Part 2
While Fortnite is mentioned, it is a separate game and not considered a DLC for ARK: Survival Evolved, therefore it is not considered part of the 12 DLC Maps.
Delving Deeper: What the DLCs Offer
Each of ARK’s DLC maps brings a unique theme, biomes, and challenges to the game. The free maps are often community-created and then adopted by Studio Wildcard, resulting in varied and impressive landscapes. Ragnarok, for example, offers a sprawling map with diverse environments ranging from lush forests to active volcanoes, while Fjordur introduces a Viking-inspired world. Crystal Isles is a visually stunning map with vibrant floating islands and unique creatures.
The paid DLCs are typically more narratively focused and include new gameplay mechanics. Scorched Earth throws players into a desert wasteland, Aberration takes place in an underground world, and Extinction brings the war against corrupted creatures to earth’s surface. The Genesis Season Passes, namely Genesis Part 1 and Genesis Part 2, introduce a more mission-based approach, often taking place in virtual simulated worlds.
The Impact of DLC on Gameplay
The addition of these 12 DLC maps dramatically changes the gameplay experience. Players can transfer their characters and creatures between different maps, allowing for a dynamic gameplay loop. This interconnectedness creates opportunities for trading, resource gathering, and coordinated strategies across various environments. The DLCs also expand the game’s creature roster, with each map adding unique dinosaurs and mythical beasts to tame. Players can spend hundreds of hours exploring the unique world each DLC presents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About ARK DLC Maps
To help clarify some common questions, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about ARK DLC maps:
1. Which is the first DLC expansion for ARK?
The first paid DLC expansion for ARK: Survival Evolved is **Scorched Earth**, released on September 1, 2016. It introduced a desert-themed map and content.
2. How much storage space do I need for all of ARK’s DLC?
With all DLCs, ARK: Survival Evolved can take up around **275GB** of storage space, but with recent updates and patches, many players report it can be as large as **400GB**.
3. Which DLC map is considered the best by most players?
While opinions vary, **Lost Island** is often ranked highly, as a fan favorite for its exploration, unique creatures and large environments.
4. Which ARK map is considered the most fun by many players?
**Lost Island** and **Ragnarok** are often cited as among the most fun due to their size, variety of biomes, and interesting locations.
5. Is any DLC for ARK free?
Yes, several DLC maps are free. These include **Fjordur, Lost Island, Ragnarok, Valguero, Crystal Isles, and The Center.**
6. Is Scorched Earth DLC free?
No, Scorched Earth is a paid DLC. The game does contain spawn codes that can be used to access the content in the core game, but the DLC itself needs to be purchased.
7. Is Ragnarok a free DLC?
Yes, Ragnarok is a free, official DLC map for ARK: Survival Evolved.
8. How big is the Ragnarok map?
The Ragnarok map spans a massive 144 square kilometers, combining elements from other maps and new biomes.
9. How big is the Crystal Isles map?
The Crystal Isles map covers an impressive 150 square kilometers, with varied biomes and crystal-themed areas.
10. What is the easiest DLC for ARK beginners?
Scorched Earth is often considered the easiest of the paid DLCs, followed by Extinction and Aberration, but the free maps such as South Zone in The Island, are considered more easy for beginners.
11. Do I need all the DLC to play with others on different maps?
No, not all players on a server need the same DLC. The core game includes the necessary files to interact with DLC creatures and items. However, players need the specific DLC to play on that respective map.
12. What does a Season Pass for ARK include?
Season passes usually include multiple paid DLCs, such as the **Genesis Season Pass**, which includes **Genesis Part 1** and **Genesis Part 2**.
13. Is Ark still free?
ARK: Survival Evolved has been offered for free on platforms such as the Epic Games Store for promotion purposes at different times. However, the base game is not free. The remastered version, ARK: Survival Ascended, is a paid game.
14. What is the largest Xbox game in terms of file size?
While file sizes can vary, ARK: Survival Evolved is one of the largest games on Xbox, around 155 GB, though the sizes have been known to vary depending on platform.
15. What are the unique features of each DLC?
Each DLC offers a unique experience: **Scorched Earth** introduces desert survival, **Aberration** delves into an underground world, **Extinction** brings a fight against corruption, the **Genesis** DLCs offer mission-based simulated worlds, and the free maps offer different environment layouts from community created content.
Conclusion
The 12 DLC maps for ARK: Survival Evolved offer a remarkable amount of content, greatly increasing the game’s replayability and longevity. From the sandy dunes of Scorched Earth to the mystical floating islands of Crystal Isles, there’s a wealth of unique environments to explore. Understanding the difference between the free maps and the paid expansions, along with the unique challenges that they present, is essential for any ARK player looking to immerse themselves fully in this unique survival adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned survivor or a newcomer to the ARK, there is always a new map to conquer and explore.