ARK: Survival Evolved

What is ARK: Survival Evolved?

ARK: Survival Evolved is the original survival sandbox developed by Studio Wildcard and partners. The routine combines gathering, crafting, food and water management, building, taming and exploration. You can play a local single-player world or join a multiplayer server, where rates and rules can substantially change the experience. [S1]

This site covers Evolved / ASE, Steam App 346110. Survival Ascended uses a different App ID and Unreal Engine 5; the mobile editions are another product line. A shared map name or the word “ARK” is not enough to establish that two players have compatible games. [S1] [S4]

The two release dates come from different source fields and are retained here rather than silently merged. Platform requirements and historical store review figures are explained on the game facts page. [S1] [A1]

Starting a first session

On The Island, the southern spawn regions are generally recommended for newcomers. They are not protected areas. Before collecting anything, look for a manageable patch of coast and a route to water. Your first useful craft is the Stone Pick: 1 Stone + 1 Wood + 10 Thatch. Stop punching trees once you can use a tool. [W2] [W3]

Sleeping bags are single-use respawn points; beds have a reuse cooldown. Creating a new survivor is different from respawning and can affect access to your previous character’s property. These details are covered in the full beginner route. [W2]

Taming: identify the method first

For a knock-out tame, increase torpor until unconsciousness, put appropriate food in the creature’s inventory and let it eat naturally. Keep torpor from draining away and protect it while you wait. Do not continue hitting the creature after it falls: damage lowers taming effectiveness. [W4]

Passive species are fed while awake and can have very different conditions. Bolas, traps and food preferences are species-specific tools, not a universal recipe. Force-feeding ordinary food does not advance a normal knock-out tame. See the taming guide for the sequence, torpor supplies and a troubleshooting table.

Building and tribe ownership

An early camp needs storage, food preparation and a respawn point more than a large footprint. Spend attribute points and then engram points; learned recipes remain with the same survivor after death. Blueprints are a separate crafting route and can have different qualities. Structures depend on support, and equipment needs repair. [S1] [W2]

Joining a tribe also changes the property question. Check who owns buildings and tames, who can use them, and what happens when someone leaves or is removed. Do not contribute a valuable creature before understanding those settings. The building guide and tribe guide cover the two systems separately. [W5]

Map and expansion directory

The Island is the original starting map. ASE also has six free expansion maps for PC and console. Paid story packs add different environments and chapters; a Season Pass is not required just to start playing. Mobile sales and content belong to a separate storefront context. [S2] [W6]

The directory below distinguishes base, free and paid content. Prices are omitted because the research is a dated snapshot, not a live storefront feed. For bundles, story order, Primitive+ and transfer boundaries, read maps and DLC.

All mapsBase gameFree mapsPaid expansions

Maps & DLC	Type	Environment	Sources
The Island	Base game	The original island	Steam
Scorched Earth	Paid expansions	Desert & extreme heat	Steam
Aberration	Paid expansions	Underground & radiation	Steam
Extinction	Paid expansions	Ruined Earth	Steam
—Genesis: Part 1	Paid expansions	A world of biomes	Steam
—Genesis: Part 2	Paid expansions	A high-tech seed ship	Steam
The Center	Free maps	Oceans & floating islands	Steam
Ragnarok	Free maps	Highlands & wide horizons	Steam
Valguero	Free maps	Valleys & hidden depths	Steam
Crystal Isles	Free maps	Crystal archipelagos	Steam
Lost Island	Free maps	Ruins & wilderness	Steam
Fjordur	Free maps	Norse realms	Steam
—Aquatica	Paid expansions	Underwater anniversary expansion	Steam DLC ↗

13 · maps shown

Evolved, Ascended and the server question

The main ASE official network closed on September 30, 2023. Local single-player, unofficial and dedicated hosting are separate play options. Later Aquatica-related official support was limited and dated; it is not evidence that the entire original network returned. [W8]

This site is not a live server browser. Check the host’s actual map, rates, mods, platform support and transfer rules before joining. The edition comparison explains what to verify with friends.

Where progression goes after the camp

On The Island, the major guardians are Broodmother Lysrix, Megapithecus and Dragon. Their portals use artifact and tribute requirements; the later Overseer route goes through the Tek Cave. Obelisk terminals also handle transfers, which is a separate function controlled by server rules. [W9] [W10]

The endgame reference lists level gates, artifact sets and encounter names on other maps. Exact tribute quantities, species food preferences and custom-server settings should be checked at their original sources before a long expedition.

First-session questions

Start on The Island in single player or a trusted PvE server. Gather stone, wood and thatch for a pick; make a campfire, shelter and bed, then try a low-risk tame. Death and lost equipment are normal: a bed makes recovery easier. See the beginner guide and taming guide.

Looking for system requirements, Steam reviews, crossplay, a server or the difference between Survival Evolved and Survival Ascended? Start with device requirements and player experiences, then check the FAQ and edition comparison.