The Future of ARK: Survival Evolved on PlayStation 4 – What You Need to Know
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ARK: Survival Evolved on PlayStation 4 will continue to be playable, but official servers have shut down. You can still enjoy the game through single-player mode, unofficial servers, and non-dedicated servers. While the next-generation remaster, ARK: Survival Ascended, eventually made its way to PS5, ARK: Survival Evolved remains a distinct and playable experience on the PS4.
Understanding the ARK Landscape
The world of ARK has been through a transformative period. With the arrival of ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA), built on Unreal Engine 5, some aspects of the original game, ARK: Survival Evolved (ASE), have changed. This doesn’t mean ASE has disappeared; it simply means the official servers, the large, persistent worlds hosted by the developers, are no longer running.
What Does This Mean for PS4 Players?
For PS4 players, this server shutdown primarily affects the official, large-scale multiplayer experience. The vibrant ecosystems and player-driven societies that thrived on these servers are now a thing of the past. However, this doesn’t spell the end for your dinosaur-taming adventures.
Alternatives to Official Servers
Fortunately, PS4 players have several options:
- Single-Player Mode: Immerse yourself in the world of ARK completely offline. Tame dinosaurs, build structures, and conquer the island at your own pace, without worrying about other players.
- Unofficial Servers: A vast network of player-hosted servers exists, each with unique rules, mods, and communities. These servers offer a diverse range of gameplay experiences, from highly competitive PvP arenas to cooperative PvE environments.
- Non-Dedicated Servers: Host a smaller, more intimate server for you and your friends. This mode allows you to play cooperatively in a shared world, tethered to the host player. The host’s location limits the other players’ movement.
Is ARK: Survival Ascended on PS4?
This is a crucial point: ARK: Survival Ascended is not available on PS4. ASA leverages the power of newer hardware, particularly the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Players wanting to experience the visual overhaul and gameplay enhancements of ASA will need to upgrade to a next-generation console or PC.
The Allure of Unofficial Servers
Unofficial servers are the lifeblood of the ARK community post-official server closure. These servers offer a wide array of customizations, including:
- Modified Rates: Increased experience gain, faster taming speeds, and boosted resource gathering.
- Custom Rulesets: Unique gameplay mechanics, such as specific PvP or PvE zones, modified loot tables, and event schedules.
- Mod Support (PC Only): PC unofficial servers can implement custom mods that add new creatures, items, structures, and game mechanics.
- Active Communities: Find a server with a thriving community that matches your playstyle. Many servers have dedicated Discord channels for communication and support.
Finding the Right Unofficial Server
With so many options available, finding the perfect unofficial server can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips:
- Use Server Listings Websites: Websites like Ark Servers list various unofficial servers with detailed information about their settings and rules.
- Read Server Descriptions Carefully: Pay attention to the server’s settings, rules, and community guidelines.
- Join the Server’s Discord Channel: Interact with the server’s admins and community members to get a feel for the server’s atmosphere.
- Try Out Different Servers: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different servers until you find one that suits your preferences.
The Future of ARK
While official servers are gone, the spirit of ARK lives on. The game is constantly evolving, with new updates, creatures, and content being added regularly, mostly to ARK: Survival Ascended. Whether you’re a seasoned survivor or a newcomer to the world of dinosaurs, there’s never been a better time to jump in and experience the thrill of ARK on PS4 through the single-player or unofficial server experiences. The Games Learning Society is a great resource for learning more about the educational impacts of games, and you can visit their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I still play ARK: Survival Evolved on my PS4?
Yes! While official servers are offline, you can still play ARK: Survival Evolved on your PS4 in single-player mode, on unofficial servers, or on non-dedicated servers.
2. Will my ARK: Survival Evolved game data transfer to ARK: Survival Ascended on PS5?
No, your data from ARK: Survival Evolved on PS4 will not directly transfer to ARK: Survival Ascended on PS5. These are technically different games.
3. Is ARK: Survival Ascended available on PS4?
No, ARK: Survival Ascended is not available on PS4. It’s designed for newer hardware like the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
4. How do I join an unofficial server on PS4?
From the ARK main menu, select “Join ARK.” Then, filter the server list to show “Unofficial PC Sessions.” Browse the available servers and select one to join.
5. Will I need to repurchase ARK: Survival Evolved to play single-player mode?
No, if you already own ARK: Survival Evolved on PS4, you can access the single-player mode without any additional purchases.
6. What are the benefits of playing on an unofficial server?
Unofficial servers offer customized gameplay experiences with modified rates, unique rulesets, and active communities.
7. Are there any drawbacks to playing on unofficial servers?
Unofficial servers can be unstable, and server owners may shut them down at any time. It’s essential to research a server before investing significant time in it.
8. Can I transfer items or characters between different unofficial servers?
Server transfers are typically disabled on unofficial servers to maintain balance and prevent exploitation. Check with the server admin to confirm.
9. What is a non-dedicated server?
A non-dedicated server is a cooperative multiplayer mode where one player hosts the game, and other players can join. However, the non-dedicated players are tethered to the host, restricting their movement based on the host player’s location.
10. How much storage space does ARK: Survival Evolved require on PS4?
A complete install of ARK: Survival Evolved can take up around 275GB of storage space on your PS4.
11. Are there any mods available for ARK: Survival Evolved on PS4?
No, mods are not officially supported on the PS4 version of ARK: Survival Evolved. Mod support is primarily available on the PC version.
12. Will ARK: Survival Evolved receive any more updates on PS4?
While major content updates may be infrequent as development focuses on ARK: Survival Ascended, bug fixes and performance improvements may still be released for ARK: Survival Evolved.
13. Is ARK: Survival Evolved still worth playing on PS4?
Yes! If you enjoy the core gameplay loop of taming dinosaurs, building structures, and surviving in a harsh environment, ARK: Survival Evolved is still a rewarding experience on PS4, especially in single-player or on a well-managed unofficial server.
14. What happened to ARK on the Play Store?
ARK: Survival Evolved might have been removed from the Play Store due to policy violations, copyright issues, or for updates and maintenance. Developers sometimes remove games temporarily for various reasons.
15. Will Ark 2 be available on PS4?
Ark 2 is unlikely to be available on PS4, as it targets next-generation consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and PC, due to its advanced graphical and gameplay requirements.