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

The latest trailer for the new Ark: Survival Evolved expansion from publisher Snail Games has sparked widespread outrage within the Ark community. The trailer, which showcases the upcoming "Ark: Aquatica" expansion, has been criticized for its heavy use of seemingly low-quality generative AI imagery.

Snail Games unveiled the trailer following their announcement at GDC about their "in-house developed new expansion map, Ark: Aquatica." Described as a non-canonical side story set in an ambitious underwater environment, the expansion promises that 95% of gameplay will occur 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, slammed the trailer, stating, "This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves." His comment currently holds the top spot on the Ark: Aquatica trailer's comment section.

Other viewers echoed similar sentiments, labeling the trailer as "pathetic" and "embarrassing." The trailer is filled with apparent 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 transforming into flippers.

In response, the original developer of Ark: Survival Evolved, Studio Wildcard, has made it clear on social media that they are not involved with Ark: Aquatica. They emphasized their focus on the ongoing development of "Ark: Survival Ascended" and "Ark 2," and announced the upcoming expansion "Ark: Lost Colony," set to release later this year.

Amidst the uncertainty surrounding the delayed release of "Ark 2," Studio Wildcard confirmed this week that work on the sequel continues. They also introduced "Ark: Lost Colony," a new expansion for "Ark: Survival Ascended" that will serve as a prelude to the sequel.

Adding to the trailer's appeal, Michelle Yeoh, star of "Ark: The Animated Series," reprises her role in the "Ark: Aquatica" trailer.