"Ark Fans Criticize AI-Generated Content in Expansion Trailer"

A new trailer for the Ark: Survival Evolved expansion from publisher Snail Games has sparked significant backlash within the Ark community due to its use of substandard generative AI imagery. The trailer, which was released following Snail Games’ announcement at GDC of its new expansion map, Ark: Aquatica, has been met with widespread criticism. Snail Games describes Ark: Aquatica as a non-canonical side story set in an ambitious underwater environment where 95% of the gameplay occurs beneath the surface.

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 dismay, stating, “This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves.” His comment is currently the most upvoted on the Ark: Aquatica trailer. Other viewers have echoed his sentiments, labeling the trailer as “pathetic” and “embarrassing.” The trailer is filled with noticeable AI-generated errors, such as fish that blur in and out of existence, a grotesquely deformed hand holding a spear gun, a levitating octopus in front of an ambiguous shipwreck, and human feet that transform into flippers.

For its part, the original developer of Ark: Survival Evolved, Studio Wildcard, has quickly distanced itself from the controversy. The studio clarified on social media that Ark: Aquatica is not being developed by their team. They emphasized their commitment to the ongoing development of Ark: Survival Ascended and Ark 2, and announced their excitement for the upcoming release of Ark: Lost Colony later this year.

The future of Ark 2 has been uncertain since it missed its previously planned late 2024 release window. However, Studio Wildcard confirmed this week that development on the dinosaur survival sequel is still in progress. They also introduced Ark: Lost Colony, a new expansion for Ark: Survival Ascended that will serve as a precursor to the sequel.

Notably, Ark: The Animated Series star Michelle Yeoh reprises her role in the trailer for Ark: Aquatica.