Will Ark Be Free Again in 2023? Unraveling the Mystery of Ark’s Free Status
The burning question on many gamers’ minds is: will Ark: Survival Evolved be free again in 2023? The short answer is: probably not in the same way it was previously offered. While Ark: Survival Evolved was temporarily free on both Steam and the Epic Games Store in the past, these were promotional events tied to specific announcements or marketing strategies. It’s unlikely we will see another broad offering of the base game being free to keep.
However, the picture is a little more complex due to the recent developments surrounding the game’s remaster, Ark: Survival Ascended, and the highly anticipated sequel, Ark 2. Let’s dive into the details and clarify the situation, exploring why the free status has changed and what the future holds for Ark fans.
The Free Ark Era: A Brief Recap
Steam and Epic Games Store Giveaways
In the past, Ark: Survival Evolved was given away for free on Steam to celebrate the announcement of the now-delayed Ark 2 release window. Similarly, the Epic Games Store offered Ark: Survival Evolved for free for a limited time, typically to attract new users to their platform and promote the game. These giveaways allowed gamers to claim the game permanently, without any further payment required. These temporary free periods were not meant to be a regular offering.
Why the Change? The Advent of Ark: Survival Ascended
The landscape of Ark has shifted dramatically. The upcoming Ark: Survival Ascended is not just a simple update; it’s a full remaster of the original game, built on Unreal Engine 5. This means it’s essentially a completely new product. This remaster, originally planned to be bundled with Ark 2, will now be sold separately for $59.99, removing the free upgrade path for existing owners. This change in the business model indicates that the era of free Ark: Survival Evolved is unlikely to return.
The Current Ark Landscape: Paid Remaster and Delayed Sequel
Ark: Survival Ascended – A Paid Experience
Ark: Survival Ascended is being positioned as a premium experience. Unlike a typical free upgrade, it requires a new purchase. This decision, while frustrating for some, reflects the significant amount of work involved in rebuilding the game with modern technology. This move towards a paid remaster strongly indicates that free access to the Ark franchise for the original title, as had been previously offered, is unlikely to be repeated.
Ark 2 Delay and the Future of the Franchise
The highly anticipated Ark 2 has been delayed to 2024, after originally targeting 2022 and then 2023. This delay is attributed to the significant effort required to develop the game on the new engine and refine its features. While waiting for the sequel, Ark: Survival Ascended aims to fill the gap for players desiring an updated Ark experience. The current financial plan includes no free access to Ark via purchasing the new or remastered titles.
What Happens to the Original Ark: Survival Evolved?
Official Servers Shutting Down
The original Ark: Survival Evolved’s official servers are slated to shut down, with the official date being September 29th. This means that the free official servers that gamers have enjoyed for years will no longer be available.
Non-Official Servers and Offline Play
While official servers will close, the original Ark: Survival Evolved will still be playable on unofficial servers, single-player modes, and nondedicated servers. This allows players to continue enjoying the original game, even if they choose not to purchase the remaster. Furthermore, Ark’s original expansion packs, which are usually inaccessible on official servers, will be accessible via unofficial servers after the shutdown.
The Ark Bundle Controversy: No Free Upgrade for Original Owners
The $50 Bundle
Initially, Ark: Survival Ascended was planned to be bundled with Ark 2, but this bundle was later dropped. Now, players wanting to experience the remaster will need to pay $59.99 across all the platforms. This controversial move has eliminated any free upgrade path for owners of the original game. The game is no longer provided for free, and no free upgrade path has been or will be provided to users.
No Free Upgrade Path
Studio Wildcard has explicitly stated there is no free upgrade path from the original game to the remaster for current owners. This means that even if you own a copy of the original Ark: Survival Evolved, you will need to pay to play the remasted game. This strategy further solidifies that Ark will unlikely be free anytime soon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ark’s Free Status and Future
1. Is Ark: Survival Evolved free on Steam in 2023?
No, Ark: Survival Evolved is not currently free on Steam. The last time it was free on Steam was during a promotional event in 2022.
2. Is Ark: Survival Evolved free on Epic Games Store in 2023?
No, Ark: Survival Evolved is not free on the Epic Games Store in 2023. It was offered for free on the Epic Games Store as part of a limited-time promotion in the past.
3. Will Ark: Survival Ascended be a free upgrade?
No, Ark: Survival Ascended is not a free upgrade. It will be a standalone title, costing $59.99 across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.
4. Will I lose my progress on the original Ark: Survival Evolved?
If you played on official servers, your progress will be lost when they shut down. However, your progress will be retained on unofficial servers, single-player, and nondedicated servers.
5. Can I still play the original Ark: Survival Evolved?
Yes, you can still play the original Ark: Survival Evolved on unofficial servers, in single-player mode, and on nondedicated servers after the official servers close.
6. When are the official Ark servers shutting down?
The official servers for Ark: Survival Evolved are scheduled to shut down on September 29th at 8:00 p.m. EDT.
7. Is Ark 2 delayed again?
Yes, Ark 2 has been delayed to 2024. It was originally slated for 2022, then pushed to 2023, and now to 2024.
8. How much will Ark: Survival Ascended cost?
Ark: Survival Ascended will cost $59.99 across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.
9. Will Ark 2 be free for Ark owners?
No, Ark 2 will not be free for owners of the original Ark: Survival Evolved. The new game will be sold separately when it is released in 2024.
10. What is the difference between Ark: Survival Evolved and Ark: Survival Ascended?
Ark: Survival Ascended is a remaster of the original Ark: Survival Evolved built using Unreal Engine 5, offering enhanced visuals and performance.
11. Will I be able to play expansion packs on unofficial servers?
Yes, expansion packs will be playable on unofficial servers after the official servers for the original game are shut down.
12. Why did Ark become free on Steam and Epic Games?
Ark: Survival Evolved was free on Steam and Epic Games Store as part of promotional events to attract new players to the game and their respective platforms.
13. What does “Ark” stand for?
The word “ark” comes from the Latin “arca,” meaning a chest or box. In relation to the game, it represents the concept of a vessel carrying life or a central structure in the game world.
14. Can I play Ark offline?
Yes, you can play Ark: Survival Evolved offline in single-player mode.
15. Are the expansion maps included in Ark: Survival Ascended?
No, Ark: Survival Ascended will not include all the expansion maps; however, all official maps should be available in the remastered version.
Conclusion
While Ark: Survival Evolved enjoyed a brief stint as a free game, those days seem to be over. The introduction of Ark: Survival Ascended, a paid remaster, and the delay of Ark 2 to 2024 have restructured the Ark landscape. It’s unlikely we will see a widespread free offering of Ark: Survival Evolved in the future. Gamers will need to pay for Ark: Survival Ascended to experience the remastered version of the game, while the original game will continue to be playable on unofficial servers and in offline modes. The future of Ark is still vibrant, just not free anymore, as we look toward the updated and upcoming releases.