What Graphics Engine Does Ark Use? A Deep Dive into ARK’s Visual Evolution

The ARK: Survival Evolved franchise has captivated gamers with its blend of survival, crafting, and dinosaur-taming. A critical element in its immersive experience is the graphics engine underpinning the game. So, what graphics engine does Ark use? Let’s unpack the complexities of ARK’s engine history and its future.

Initially, ARK: Survival Evolved was built using a custom version of Unreal Engine 4.5. This wasn’t a standard off-the-shelf version; instead, developers at Studio Wildcard implemented significant core changes, tweaks, and additions to tailor the engine to their ambitious vision. This approach allowed them to push the boundaries of what was possible with the technology at the time, enabling the large-scale environments and the sheer number of dynamic elements that ARK is known for.

However, the story doesn’t end there. The franchise has evolved, and so has its engine. The remastered version, ARK: Survival Ascended, utilizes Unreal Engine 5. This upgrade is a significant leap forward, bringing enhanced graphical fidelity, improved performance, and a whole host of new features. Unreal Engine 5 represents the cutting edge of game development technology, and its adoption by ARK marks a new era for the series. The latest iterations of Ark such as ARK: Survival Ascended has been specifically developed using Unreal Engine 5.2.

The transition from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5 isn’t just about prettier graphics. It’s about the potential for more detailed environments, more realistic animations, and more immersive gameplay. As the series moves forward, the influence of Unreal Engine 5 will be paramount in shaping the future of the ARK universe.

Unreal Engine 4 vs Unreal Engine 5: Key Differences for ARK

The switch from Unreal Engine 4.5 to Unreal Engine 5 for the ARK series is more than just a cosmetic upgrade. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key differences:

• Lumen Global Illumination: Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen system provides dynamic global illumination, resulting in more realistic and reactive lighting. This means light bounces naturally around the environment, affecting how objects look and feel in the game. This level of realism wasn’t achievable in the earlier iterations of ARK: Survival Evolved using Unreal Engine 4.
• Nanite Virtualized Micropolygon Geometry: Nanite allows developers to import extremely detailed assets without performance issues. This means that environments in ARK: Survival Ascended can be far more detailed, with intricate textures and geometry, leading to an impressive visual experience.
• Enhanced Performance: While initially demanding, Unreal Engine 5 is designed for optimized performance on modern hardware. With each update the engine becomes more streamlined and provides better performance than was achievable on Unreal Engine 4.
• New Development Tools: Unreal Engine 5 brings enhanced animation tools, developer-friendly UI upgrades, and other tools that make the process of developing games faster and more efficient, this results in better output overall.

These improvements aren’t simply about making the game “look better;” they also impact the overall gameplay experience. More dynamic lighting, for instance, changes how you navigate and interact with the world. The added detail, courtesy of Nanite, makes the game’s environments feel more believable and immersive.

The Impact on Gameplay and Hardware

The move to Unreal Engine 5 has significant implications for gameplay. The increased visual fidelity demands more powerful hardware. ARK: Survival Ascended is noticeably more graphically intensive than ARK: Survival Evolved. This means players will need more powerful GPUs and CPUs to run the game smoothly at higher settings. The minimum requirements are also significantly higher compared to that of the older game.

Despite the higher hardware requirements, Unreal Engine 5 allows developers to build a more interactive world that is more immersive and better quality. However, the intensive requirements of Unreal Engine 5 also contributed to the delay of the second mainline game, ARK 2, to late 2024. Studio Wildcard explained this delay was due to the technical challenges of developing a title on a new engine while attempting to push the boundaries of the gaming experience.

The Future of ARK with Unreal Engine 5

The future of the ARK franchise is intrinsically linked to the power and capabilities of Unreal Engine 5. As developers become more comfortable with the engine and push it to its limits, we can expect even more impressive visuals and gameplay experiences. The move to Unreal Engine 5 isn’t just a simple upgrade; it’s a foundational shift that is set to revolutionize the way ARK games are made and experienced. ARK 2 will be built from the ground up with Unreal Engine 5, and it will likely showcase the true potential of the game engine. This will allow developers to create larger worlds, better AI systems, and more realistic gameplay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to further illuminate how the graphics engine impacts the ARK universe:

1. Is ARK: Survival Evolved still being developed on Unreal Engine 4?

   No, while the original ARK: Survival Evolved runs on a custom version of Unreal Engine 4.5, current development is focused on ARK: Survival Ascended, built with Unreal Engine 5.2.

2. Does ARK use CPU or GPU more?

   ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended are both demanding on both components, but they are notably GPU-heavy games. This means that the graphics card is typically the bottleneck for performance, but a good CPU is still important.

3. Will ARK 2 use Unreal Engine 5?

   Yes, ARK 2 is being developed on Unreal Engine 5. This move is a pivotal point for the franchise as it strives to push the boundaries of the survival genre and provide a visually stunning and immersive experience.

4. Can Unreal Engine 5 run on 16GB of RAM?

   While Unreal Engine 5 development can function with 16GB of RAM, it’s generally recommended to have at least 32GB, especially when working on large, complex projects. For playing games on Unreal Engine 5, 16GB of RAM is often sufficient, though more RAM could provide better stability, and allow higher graphics settings.

5. Why is Unreal Engine 5 considered a major upgrade over Unreal Engine 4?

   Unreal Engine 5 introduces advanced features like Nanite for detailed geometry, Lumen for dynamic global illumination, and better performance optimizations. It provides developers with more advanced toolsets and empowers them to create more realistic and immersive experiences.

6. What is the recommended GPU for running ARK: Survival Ascended?

   While there’s no singular recommended GPU, modern GPUs like an NVIDIA RTX 3070 or higher or their AMD equivalents are often suggested to achieve smooth gameplay at higher settings in ARK: Survival Ascended. Mid-range cards such as an NVIDIA RTX 3060 can still perform well if settings are dialed down.

7. Why was Ark 2 delayed?

   The primary reason for the delay of ARK 2 is the development challenges associated with utilizing Unreal Engine 5. Developers wanted to ensure the game meets their high standards and makes use of the new technologies fully.

8. Is ARK a GPU intensive game?

   Yes, the ARK series, including both ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended, is GPU-intensive. Having a powerful graphics card is essential for good performance at higher graphical settings.

9. What are the minimum GPU requirements for ARK?

   For the original ARK: Survival Evolved, the minimum is around an Nvidia GeForce GTX 670 or an AMD Radeon HD 7870 with 2GB of VRAM. For ARK: Survival Ascended, the minimums are much higher due to the improved visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5.

10. How can I make ARK run smoother?

    Reducing graphics settings in the game, ensuring your GPU drivers are up to date, and making sure your PC meets the game’s minimum system requirements are common optimization steps. Turning off advanced settings and running at an “EPIC” view distance can also increase performance.

11. Is it normal for my GPU to run at 100% while playing ARK?

    Yes, it is normal and expected. If your GPU is running at 100%, it means it’s working to its maximum capacity to render the game. This is especially common with graphically demanding titles like ARK.

12. Will the official servers of ARK: Survival Evolved be shut down?

    Yes, the official servers for the original ARK: Survival Evolved are set to be shut down as Studio Wildcard transitions to the Unreal Engine 5 enhanced title. This is due to the limited resources available.

13. How does faster RAM affect gameplay in ARK?

    Faster RAM can improve frame rates, but it typically won’t have as significant of an impact as upgrading the GPU or CPU. However, it is still a vital component that will allow you to achieve higher frame rates.

14. Does Ark have better graphics than Rust?

    Ark and Rust have different visual styles and fidelity. Ark aims for more detailed environments and complex textures, while Rust has a more realistic and natural visual. It really depends on personal preference.

15. Why is Unreal Engine 5 so popular in game development?

    Unreal Engine 5 is popular due to its user-friendly interface, advanced features, massive community support, and ability to create high-quality real-time 3D content, making it an accessible and powerful option for both indie and AAA studios.

In conclusion, the ARK franchise’s transition from a customized Unreal Engine 4.5 to Unreal Engine 5 is a significant evolution. It not only elevates the visual fidelity but also paves the way for more immersive and interactive gaming experiences. As the ARK universe continues to expand, the power of Unreal Engine 5 will be key in shaping its future.