The gaming community has erupted in outrage over a new trailer for the Ark: Survival Evolved expansion from publisher Snail Games, which has been widely criticized for its use of substandard generative AI imagery. The trailer, released following Snail Games’ GDC announcement of the new expansion map, Ark: Aquatica, showcases an ambitious underwater setting where 95% of the gameplay occurs beneath the surface. However, the community's reaction has been overwhelmingly negative.
Prominent Irish YouTuber Syntac, with over 1.9 million subscribers, expressed his disgust, stating, “This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves,” in a comment that has risen to the top of the trailer's comment section. Other viewers echoed his sentiments, labeling the trailer as “pathetic” and “embarrassing.” The trailer is filled with glaring 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 morphing into flippers.
For its part, the original developer of Ark: Survival Evolved, Studio Wildcard, has quickly distanced itself from the controversy. The studio clarified on social media that Ark: Aquatica is not being developed by their team, emphasizing their focus on Ark: Survival Ascended and Ark 2. They also announced their excitement for the upcoming release of Ark: Lost Colony, a new expansion for Ark: Survival Ascended that will set the stage for the sequel.
Amidst uncertainties about the future of Ark 2, which missed its previously planned late 2024 release window, Studio Wildcard confirmed this week that development is ongoing. They also introduced Ark: Lost Colony, which will bridge the narrative to the sequel.
Adding to the trailer's appeal, Ark: The Animated Series star Michelle Yeoh reprises her role, bringing a familiar face to the new expansion.
