Community Crunch 520: Three heads. One very good boy.

Community Crunch 520: Three heads. One very good boy.

2 months ago

Survivors, mark your calendars because September 30 is shaping up to be a big day on the ARKs!

The Unreal Engine 5.8 upgrade, Therizinosaurus TLC, Cerberax, and Gargantar are all set to arrive together in one packed release.

The move to Unreal Engine 5.8 represents one of the biggest technical milestones yet for ASA. Our engine team has been hard at work on the upgrade, focusing on tangible performance improvements, platform-specific fixes, and stronger technical foundations for everything still ahead.

And the technology isn't the only thing getting an upgrade. Thanks to your Extra Life vote, the Therizinosaurus TLC will sharpen up one of ARK's most iconic creatures, bringing new life and personality to the beloved Tickle Chicken while staying true to the harvesting powerhouse Survivors know and love.

It won't be arriving alone.

The skies will welcome Gargantar, the latest mighty dragon from ARK Dragontopia, with Expansion Pass owners getting early access to this hungry behemoth, who views the ARKs as one enormous all-you-can-eat buffet.

Meanwhile, ARK Fantastic Tames Season 1 continues with the arrival of its second creature, Cerberax, following in the bouncy footsteps of the Burrowbuck earlier this year.

Cerberax Concept Reveal

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This imposing beast is more than capable of carrying a lone Survivor into battle, though those traveling with a few trusted tribemates may discover where its true strength lies. Each head seems to have a temperament of its own, with a peculiar way of playing off the others. Survivors who learn to work with them in tandem may find that what one head starts, another can finish with devastating results.

Whether you ride alone or bring your tribe along, there's clearly more than one way to unleash this three-headed terror.

The Cerberax is coming as part of ARK Fantastic Tames Season 1 on September 30.

Before we get there… Astraeos' final update arrives August 26!

Charging into the update is the Boaratos, the hot-headed hog we introduced last week, ready to bring some serious heat to your battles, your harvests, and perhaps even your breakfast table.

So while you're marking September 30 on your calendars, don't forget to make a little room for August 26. The Boaratos is almost here, and it's bringing the heat!


Liveops Update

Genesis Part 1 Server Tranfers

Transfers on Genesis Ascended Part 1 Official servers will open on September 4th, allowing players to move items, creatures, and characters onto the map without restriction! We've also aligned the timing with the Genesis Part 1 Expires servers, giving players a couple of weeks to move everything over before those servers close on September 18th.

And as always, don't forget to pack your Dodos in bubble wrap, Survivors!


Mods Spotlight

Download & play new custom content created by players, including new maps, creatures, items, and game modes, through a dedicated new Mod-browser directly within the game. Enjoy an endless stream of new ARK content as the creativity and talent of the community are fully unleashed for the first time across gaming platforms, and stay tuned as we spotlight more Cross-Platform Mods each week!

This video features:


Adventure Is Calling

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Conquest, introduced to ARK: Survival Ascended by Snail Games, focuses on large-scale PvP, with increased rates, and other changes listed below. The increased rates will allow tribes to set up and establish themselves quickly and enable them to rebuild after potential losses instead of being wiped completely.

The official Conquest servers are open for PC, Xbox and PlayStation.

If you need any support during the Conquest season, join the Conquest Enforcement's Discord.

New Season Details

  • Conquest Season 8 details:
    • Total of 18 maps all Genesis part 1
      • Cluster A: 12 servers that had transfers enabled with Classic before they shut down.
      • Cluster B: 6 servers with Transfers only enabled between those 6 servers for 2 weeks, Transfers between Cluster A and Cluster B will open on July 17th at 10 am PT.
    • 5x Rates
    • Tek is enabled with the exception of:
      • Tek Grenade
      • Tapejara Tek Saddle
      • Megalodon Tek Saddle
      • Rock Drake Tek Saddle
      • Mosasur Tek Saddle
      • Tek Railgun
      • Map: all 18 maps will become Genesis Part 1

Arkpocalypse Servers

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ARKpocalypse servers have been wiped today!

What is ARKpocalypse?

  • ARKpocalypse are monthly-wipe servers with higher than usual rates and monthly curated mods.

Next wipe: September 18th, 2026

You can join them by typing "Arkpocalypse" in the server browser! Happy Surviving!


Bonus Rates On The Official Network

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This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until Monday, August 24.

  • PvP/PvE: 2x Harvesting, Taming, and Experience, and Breeding
  • Small Tribes: 4.5x Harvesting, Taming, and Experience + 4x Breeding
  • ARKpocalypse: 5x Harvesting, Taming and Experience, and Breeding

Community Corner

Fan Art Gallery | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form

Community Spotlight: ASA MOD JAM

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ASA Mod Jam 2026 – Winners Are In!

We’re constantly blown away by the creativity of the ARK modding community, especially when players create new opportunities for fellow creators. That spirit is behind the independently run ASA Mod Jam 2026: Build the Future.

1st Place

Rustfall by Yutay

Explore a haunting graveyard of steel where nature has reclaimed the ruins of a forgotten TEK world.

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2nd Place

Whimsical Farming by Lordan_Lafluer & Cliffan

Transform survival into a rewarding farming adventure where every seed, season and harvest matters.

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3rd Place

Engram Fragmentation by Shefski

Turn every tame into a new opportunity by extracting fragments to create powerful upgrades, mutations and cosmetics.

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Best QOL / Gameplay

Extraction Protocol by Bruno

:star2: Community Favorite

Defend procedurally generated Resource Nodes against hostile waves and earn valuable rewards in thrilling high-risk encounters.

Best Structure / Item

The Obolus Project by Nokosa

Escape to your own personal island getaway, beautifully themed around some of ARK’s most iconic biomes.

Wild Card

Hyperion by Crane

Battle through an industrial stronghold packed with elite enemies, challenging encounters, valuable loot and a rideable TEK train.

Best Creature

Corruption Unbound by Dooms Dahling & Scorching_Kami

Fight back against spreading corruption as dangerous nests transform wildlife and unleash terrifying new monstrosities.

Thank you to all the talented creators who participated—this year's quality has been amazing!

Clips And Videos

Creator: The AxeMan

The AxeMan explores the modded map Bjarnheim and settles in a quaint town.

Creator: Savkyn

Savkyn shows you how to build your very own cozy cottage!

FAN ART

CRIMSON by RATIAELUNE

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Deinonychus by SkrillySaper

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Traditional artist coming into the unknown digital world by cascadingcaramel

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Argentavis by ThatOneJade13

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Two Carnotaurus fighting each other by K4ferta

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My spinosarus, Toffifi by blobin500

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Helena Walker and Littlefoot by ThePaleoartMan

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Photo Mode

Photo Mode by atomic2108

Photo Mode by lavanaut

Photo Mode by catcatswagger

Photo Mode by onlyquartz

Photo Mode by fera_spielt

Enjoy your weekend!
Studio Wildcard

Twitter: twitter.com/survivetheark
Discord: discord.com/invite/playark
Reddit: reddit.com/r/playark
Instagram: instagram.com/survivetheark
Twitch: twitch.tv/survivetheark
Steam: steamcommunity.com/app/346110
Youtube: youtube.com/survivetheark
Facebook: facebook.com/survivetheark
Threads: threads.net/@survivetheark
Official Wiki: ark.wiki.gg

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