Ark Fans Slam AI-Generated Expansion Trailer

The gaming community has erupted in outrage following the release of a new trailer for the Ark: Survival Evolved expansion titled "Ark: Aquatica" by publisher Snail Games. The trailer, unveiled shortly after Snail Games' announcement at GDC about its new in-house developed expansion map, has been met with severe criticism for its use of generative AI imagery, which many fans found to be of shockingly poor quality.

Snail Games described "Ark: Aquatica" as a non-canonical side story set in an ambitious underwater environment, where 95% of the gameplay occurs beneath the surface. However, the community's reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. Irish YouTuber Syntac, a prominent figure in the Ark community with over 1.9 million subscribers, expressed strong disapproval, stating, "This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves." His comment is currently the top response on the trailer's page.

Other viewers have echoed Syntac's sentiments, describing the trailer as "pathetic" and "embarrassing." The trailer features numerous instances of what has been dubbed "AI slop," including fish that appear and disappear randomly, a grotesquely deformed hand gripping a spear gun, a levitating octopus in front of a shipwreck that seems unsure of its form, and human feet transforming into flippers.

In response to the backlash, the original developers of Ark: Survival Evolved, Studio Wildcard, have distanced themselves from the project. They clarified on social media that "Ark: Aquatica" is not being developed by their team, emphasizing their focus on "Ark: Survival Ascended" and "Ark 2," along with the upcoming expansion "Ark: Lost Colony" slated for release later this year.

Amidst uncertainties surrounding Ark 2, which missed its previously planned late 2024 release window, Studio Wildcard confirmed this week that development on the dinosaur survival sequel is ongoing. They also introduced "Ark: Lost Colony," a new expansion for Ark: Survival Ascended that sets the stage for the sequel.

Adding to the trailer's controversy, actress Michelle Yeoh, known for her role in "Ark: The Animated Series," reprises her character in the "Ark: Aquatica" trailer.