ARK: Survival Evolved Devs Tease Possible Unreal Engine 5 Upgrade

Fans of the popular survival game, ARK: Survival Evolved, were in for a surprise when the developers at Wildcard Studios dropped a teaser hinting at a potential upgrade to Unreal Engine 5 via Twitter earlier this week. The teaser in question was quite creative, featuring a Drake Hotline Bling meme with disapproving caption "Ark1 on UE 4.5," followed by "Ark1 on UE5" as the caption of approval. Considering the game's immense growth in recent years, this latest news was enough to pique many fans' interest.

But what does this potential game engine upgrade mean for the players? Well, for starters, it could mean jaw-dropping visuals and new in-game features that were previously impossible with the current engine. Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 is known for its advanced lighting and physics, which could take the game's already immersive environment to a whole new level. In addition, players could expect to see more realistic textures, improved character animations, and improved overall performance in-game.

On the other hand, the upgrade has some potential downsides. One of the biggest concerns is that some of the game's beloved mods may become incompatible. ARK: Survival Evolved has a very active modding community, and several mods have become fan favorites over the years. It's important to note that the developers have not yet released any information about how they plan to handle mods with the upgrade.

Another concern is that the upgrade could mean a delay in the release of the highly-anticipated sequel, ARK 2, which was originally slated for release on PC and next-gen consoles in 2023. ARK 2 was first announced at The Game Awards 2022 and will be set on the alien planet of "Arat." The game will also feature Hollywood superstar Vin Diesel (playing Santiago) and continue the main story of its predecessor. Accordingly, if the developers focus on the Unreal Engine 5 upgrade, it could push back the sequel's release date, potentially disappointing already excited fans.

It's important to note that this upgrade is still speculation at this point. The developers have yet to release official information about the upgrade or a release date. So while the teaser was exciting for fans, it's important to keep in mind that anything can happen in the development process.

Ultimately, the potential upgrade to Unreal Engine 5 could bring some exciting new features to ARK: Survival Evolved, but it could also mean some setbacks for the community. Players will have to wait for official announcements from Wildcard Studios to know for sure what the upgrade will bring. While the teaser has certainly raised excitement and anticipation, it's also important to keep an open mind and be prepared for any potential changes or delays.

Disclaimer: This article is based on speculation and should be taken as such.