ARK: State of the Game

[LameoveR]

OMG OMG OMG!

I'm so happy, really! That's a great news!

 

[Ghostboy20]

3 minutes ago, AngryChris73 said:

But in the end it's cheaper

$400 for a PS4. $60 for both PS4s would cost you $120 a year

Edited July 19, 2017 by Ghostboy20

[powertrip9000]

1 minute ago, Picolo XL said:

 

pve doesnt need new servers, they are not as savage as pvp , u build , breed dinos, defeat bosses tthats it. There is no unfair advantage. It is only going to help new players by having the older tribes around. 

[LostBytes]

1 hour ago, Jat said:

Hey, Survivors! 

We’ve got important and exciting news to share! First of all, we’ve finally completed our game for the console disc retail submission! It was a very long and arduous process, our boss fight or so to say, and your feedback throughout this process has been highly valuable. It was a very tight deadline to make the ship date, and the team has been intensively grinding through singleplayer-oriented refinements for the posterity of the disc-based version. All that aside, we were able to resolve many issues, as well as considerably improve the game through various changes and implementation of new techniques and it’s now time to move onto refocus our development efforts on the live game, as well as address some key topics within the community:

Will the Official Servers be wiping?

Short answer: No -- but read the long answer! 

We had previously released a statement a year ago informing players that our Official Servers would not be wiping on the retail launch of the game. We’ve thought long and hard about the decision, taking into consideration the various points brought up by the community, the internal members of the team, as well as the general discussion that has taken place on the internet through various press/media outlets and will be sticking to our initial decision. It is clear that some group of players are for the wipe for, and some are against it, all for legitimate reasons; and we took it all into account.

We ultimately decided that we would not wipe and we would rather pay the cost to launch an additional new PvP Server Cluster network (alongside but separate from the PvP Legacy Cluster), where players will get to have a fresh experience on the ARK; across all four maps with no influence from any of the previous servers. At that time we'll be rolling out the new server code and infrastructure necessary to prevent critical issues such as server crashing exploits, duping, and DDoSing, so they will not affect the batch of new servers (as well as the legacy ones, going forward).

Our current set of Official Servers will be rebranded as “Legacy” and indicated as such on all platforms. We will also be taking steps to remove some of our ‘ghost town’ servers, where the player population has remained near-zero for an extended duration of time. We’ll take a look at the statistics and will be repurposing 10% of the lowest count servers across all platforms. Once we know which servers these are; we'll preserve the save files and upload them, so if you so wish to use them, you can. Players will also have time to move through Cross-ARK to a different secure Legacy server. Every three months we will be taking a review of the Legacy Officials to see what the numbers are like and may consider repurposing more ‘ghost towns’, however, the goal will be to preserve any place with human activity.

To be clear, if you're playing on a Legacy Server you will not be able to transfer to the new Official servers and Legacy servers will still receive total and complete support (just like the New Officials) in regards to Game Updates and future ARK Expansions, so you can expect to see future DLC servers added to the Legacy Cluster.

Ragnarok: Console debut and development

The new official release date for the Ragnarok Free DLC on consoles will be on the 8th of August when ARK launches for retail release. The team spent time discussing when would be the best time to release the map, for both technical reasons, as well as the experience itself, and this was the chosen date. 

We understand that some may find this news frustrating as you’ve waited a long time for the map, however after conferring for quite a while on the topic, we believe this is the best decision for the map’s arrival on console as;

First of all, it allows the Ragnarok Developers to get the latest version of the Dev Kit and incorporate our latest changes to the game, which will have a significant impact on the console experience concerning performance, visual fidelity, and stability. Secondly, by focusing our technical workforce on the other aspects of the game (in addition to Ragnarok) such as server stability, crash exploits, duping, DDoS, we will be able to ensure a much smoother experience for when the map is available. Finally, with our recent decision in regards to whether there will be a wipe or not, this seems like the smartest decision, to avoid this awkward situation of where servers that have only just been online for a couple of weeks become legacy. 

The new date will also result in the map debut on console will be much farther ahead in its development than the map that was initially released on PC as the Ragnarok Developers have carried out a significant number of bug fixes, QOL changes on the map, and more! We will be doing a PC patch soon to upgrade to the latest version of the map (which is available in the Steam Workshop for Unofficial Servers!) so that you guys will also be able to enjoy their improvements!

PlayStation 4 Update!

It’s happening! Yes, we’re serious. We’re currently working on the latest PS4 patch with Abstraction at the moment, and while it’ll be tough, we should be set to release it this Friday (probably going to be a late evening patch). We’ll keep you posted how that goes! Thank you guys for being so patient with us over the past few weeks, we understand how frustrating it is not to receive updates, but now we are wrapped up with certification and this tight deadline, we’ll be able to go back to our standard development pipeline and therefore include you with our updates

Console PC-Hosted Servers

Yup, you heard it. As of the 8th of August, we will finally have support for PC hosted dedicated servers on console. We won’t be renting or hosting them ourselves, it isn’t a commercial venture for us, but we will be doing the technical work needed to get this underway. Initially, they will be available via Nitrado! (It’ll come to other third party hosts once we go through this initial technical-iteration phase, as we want to ensure its stability).

These servers will be available on both Xbox One and PlayStation 4 and if you haven’t realised, here’s why this is so awesome:

• No need for a second console to host private servers!
• Complete access to all of ARKs custom server config settings, which will let players change the rules on their custom ARKs
• The option to create cross ARK Clusters for the ultimate ARK Experience -- allowing travel across four Maps
• Create a backup of server save files, allowing players to try something new without the fear of losing data
• The servers will result in higher performance due to better optimisation
• Player servers will now be able to support a larger pool of players, up to 100 concurrent users!
• At a later date, these will also be Play Anywhere compatible!

For those of you wondering about repurposed console Legacy Official Servers, you will be able to take the save file and set up an Unofficial Server using this.

Development Kit!

Oh modders, how we love you so much, we hope you can forgive us for the delay and understand as developers yourselves our reason for doing so. Fortunately, we come bearing good news! Jeremy is prepping the latest version of the Dev Kit right now (literally!) and we will have it available to download later today via GitHub, and soon after that via the Unreal Launcher when we are confident in its stability. You’ll be able to keep up with the latest information on the Unreal Forums in regards to any relevant/cool changes!

That should be what we wanted to discuss for today. Hopefully, it helps clear the air with what’s been going on and the direction we’re heading in. We're looking forward to a fun ARK launch with everyone in the weeks ahead!

All the best,

Studio Wildcard

 

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PC servers for console via hosting. A good start! But ,Where is the ability to host from home, on my own server, not rent! This is the main reason I wanted this feature.

[AngryChris73]

Just now, Ghostboy20 said:

$400 for a PS4. $60 for both PS4s would cost you $120 a month 

Depends wat ur talking about ps4 or pro, but i've seen some ps4's 300 on sites like newegg, wat im gonna do is buy pro and keep normal 4 hosting 

[snowman969frrlp]

Just now, powertrip9000 said:

pve doesnt need new servers, they are not as savage as pvp , u build , breed dinos, defeat bosses tthats it. There is no unfair advantage. It is only going to help new players by having the older tribes around. 

Are you playing on PvE ?

 

[Blackroz]

@Jat First Thank you!   To you and your team, the game is great, please keep up the good work!

Obviously this is one persons opinion (however I'm sure that other will agree).  Please consider the CrossARK setup for you new server launches.  If I read you post correct you will have an open transfer system like you currently have on officials.  This makes it so the massive tribes can essentially dominate.  With the CrossARK it at least prevents those massive tribe from only owning 1 CrossARK not countless officials.  Also, if you look at the consistently high player count on the CrossARK servers you can see they are popular.  Anyway, just wanted to throw my 2 cents in for you to take back to the team.

[Soulbanisher]

Just now, powertrip9000 said:

pve doesnt need new servers, they are not as savage as pvp , u build , breed dinos, defeat bosses tthats it. There is no unfair advantage. It is only going to help new players by having the older tribes around. 

The unfair advantage is that this PVE style, you play with other players. You compare bases, dinos ect. Pve is fudged now.

 

You used to be able to trade high end items for dinos or other high end items, but unless you cheated, you can't compete. You can't trade. I quit right now. I know you guys will say "okay bye felecia", but guess what, PVE is ruined.

 

I'll come back if they release new PVE clusters like they're supposed to..

[powertrip9000]

yes and pvp point?

[SumDuud]

5 minutes ago, snowman969frrlp said:

That's maybe why they are so many dupers on PvP, more than PvE.

You hear about it a lot more on PvP because people show up with "God Rex" raids and thousands of C4 and unlimited ascendant items with 700% fabi snipers...  In PvE if someone has hundreds of tek foundations... so what? All they can do it out build you.  It just doesn't matter as much in PvE so you don't hear about it as much.

[Musketeer]

5 minutes ago, Soulbanisher said:

You're gonna get reviews on gaming website saying PVE on your game is totally screwed.

 

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT LOL

I will send a positive review to balance it out lol

[Sunshinemya]

That is extremely disappointing that we will not be able to transfer to the new "official servers" on ragnorok or any non-legacy servers, regardless of being official. That absolutely sucks and truly disappoints and discourages my gameplay. It's Disappointment because many people would like to check out the new map plus exclusive new animals, but won't even be able to transfer said new animals if they wish to return back to their old server. Let's be realistic, the new servers coming out for Ragnorok will be a lag fest. There is a guarantee of server crashes left and right. I'm from PVE and always PVE, as PVP is not something I enjoy on Ark. So not being able to cross transfer is disappointing. I know many people have been preparing to transfer to Ragnorok more permanently, but they are in a surprise to see that all their preparation and wait will be nothing. You guys have put so much hope and excitement into this new map and you've only disappointed, especially for XBOX platform as it's pushed back further with no date, again. So what's the real appeal, few new animals and some changes? Not really worth what you've put your customers through.  I would have rather you guys just wipe "ghost town" servers and call it a day. Why did you have to throw in no cross transfer? Because if you can allow cross transfer from Scorched Earth to The Island or the Center, then why exclude Ragnorok?

[dslick]

Look, advantage or not over PVE or PVP,  wouldnt you guys agree that a functional in-game economy adds value to the game?

[Jatheish]

1 minute ago, AngryChris73 said:

Depends wat ur talking about ps4 or pro, but i've seen some ps4's 300 on sites like newegg, wat im gonna do is buy pro and keep normal 4 hosting 

For PlayStation, the reason you're not able to host on your own PC is due to security reasons. It requires secure tokens to communicate with the service which we're not able to distribute publicly but can do so to authorised host providers.

For Xbox Play Anywhere, it's certainly a possibility that you'll be able to host from your PC but it may not be the full PC-style dedicated system, we'll have to see how it goes. We'll have more news on this to share later on.

[OnePotatoChip]

1 minute ago, Sunshinemya said:

That is extremely disappointing that we will not be able to transfer to the new "official servers" on ragnorok or any non-legacy servers, regardless of being official. That absolutely sucks and truly disappoints and discourages my gameplay. It's Disappointment because many people would like to check out the new map plus exclusive new animals, but won't even be able to transfer said new animals if they wish to return back to their old server. Let's be realistic, the new servers coming out for Ragnorok will be a lag fest. There is a guarantee of server crashes left and right. I'm from PVE and always PVE, as PVP is not something I enjoy on Ark. So not being able to cross transfer is disappointing. I know many people have been preparing to transfer to Ragnorok more permanently, but they are in a surprise to see that all their preparation and wait will be nothing. You guys have put so much hope and excitement into this new map and you've only disappointed, especially for XBOX platform as it's pushed back further with no date, again. So what's the real appeal, few new animals and some changes? Not really worth what you've put your customers through.  I would have rather you guys just wipe "ghost town" servers and call it a day. Why did you have to throw in no cross transfer? Because if you can allow cross transfer from Scorched Earth to The Island or the Center, then why exclude Ragnorok?

There are going to be Legacy versions of Ragnarok, apparently. 

[Jatheish]

1 minute ago, Sunshinemya said:

That is extremely disappointing that we will not be able to transfer to the new "official servers" on ragnorok or any non-legacy servers, regardless of being official. That absolutely sucks and truly disappoints and discourages my gameplay. It's Disappointment because many people would like to check out the new map plus exclusive new animals, but won't even be able to transfer said new animals if they wish to return back to their old server. Let's be realistic, the new servers coming out for Ragnorok will be a lag fest. There is a guarantee of server crashes left and right. I'm from PVE and always PVE, as PVP is not something I enjoy on Ark. So not being able to cross transfer is disappointing. I know many people have been preparing to transfer to Ragnorok more permanently, but they are in a surprise to see that all their preparation and wait will be nothing. You guys have put so much hope and excitement into this new map and you've only disappointed, especially for XBOX platform as it's pushed back further with no date, again. So what's the real appeal, few new animals and some changes? Not really worth what you've put your customers through.  I would have rather you guys just wipe "ghost town" servers and call it a day. Why did you have to throw in no cross transfer? Because if you can allow cross transfer from Scorched Earth to The Island or the Center, then why exclude Ragnorok?

You will be able to check out the new maps/new content on the legacy servers and that includes transferring to the Ragnarok map, as we will launch Ragnarok servers on the Legacy Clusters. 

[powertrip9000]

2 minutes ago, Sunshinemya said:

That is extremely disappointing that we will not be able to transfer to the new "official servers" on ragnorok or any non-legacy servers, regardless of being official. That absolutely sucks and truly disappoints and discourages my gameplay. It's Disappointment because many people would like to check out the new map plus exclusive new animals, but won't even be able to transfer said new animals if they wish to return back to their old server. Let's be realistic, the new servers coming out for Ragnorok will be a lag fest. There is a guarantee of server crashes left and right. I'm from PVE and always PVE, as PVP is not something I enjoy on Ark. So not being able to cross transfer is disappointing. I know many people have been preparing to transfer to Ragnorok more permanently, but they are in a surprise to see that all their preparation and wait will be nothing. You guys have put so much hope and excitement into this new map and you've only disappointed, especially for XBOX platform as it's pushed back further with no date, again. So what's the real appeal, few new animals and some changes? Not really worth what you've put your customers through.  I would have rather you guys just wipe "ghost town" servers and call it a day. Why did you have to throw in no cross transfer? Because if you can allow cross transfer from Scorched Earth to The Island or the Center, then why exclude Ragnorok?

pve isnt getting legacy servers, read the comments above

[Datsyuk05]

Will console players be able to use mods on PC hosted server?

 

[Ghostboy20]

8 minutes ago, AngryChris73 said:

Depends wat ur talking about ps4 or pro, but i've seen some ps4's 300 on sites like newegg, wat im gonna do is buy pro and keep normal 4 hosting 

I'm thinking the same thing. I think if Wildcard could work with Sony I bet they could have servers for hosting for players. 

[BossFi]

So is ragnarok only part of the new cluster? Or is it available on legacy server to transfer to.

[Bigdaddy99]

I'll play pvp, I don t care, as long as it is a new server with a level playing field...

[Jerryn]

This is not a discussion on breeding, duping, or trading.

Please stay on topic; all off topic comments will be removed.

 

[Sunshinemya]

6 minutes ago, Jat said:

You will be able to check out the new maps/new content on the legacy servers and that includes transferring to the Ragnarok map, as we will launch Ragnarok servers on the Legacy Clusters. 

Thank you, that is very helpful to know as it didn't come off that way in the main post. I have another question as many people are saying one and another. Are PVE servers getting new servers? Or just PVP? Because people (someone quoted me, too) are saying only PVP are getting new servers and are being turned into Legacy Servers. So will PVE official servers become Legacy Servers?

[snowman969frrlp]

Just now, powertrip9000 said:

again it is pve not who has the biggest *cough* contest

Of course it is, maybe just a little part of it but yes it is

[Cracks777]

What Day will The New Servers Be Brought Online?