ARK Survival Evolved update: PS4 and Xbox One Ragnarok release date and patch news

The ARK Survival Evolved release date is set for tomorrow and will include some big changes for console players.

Both the Tek Shield and Tek Sword are being added to the game, while fans can also look forward to the Otter and Phoenix companions arriving on The Island.

August 29 will also see the game leave early access, although there’s still going to be some pretty big ARK Survival Evolved updates coming our way.

“ARK will continue to grow with new content at launch and beyond as we continue to have a behemoth amount of additional gameplay, creatures, and story elements in the works,” a message from Studio Wildcard teases.

“With every Explorer Note you’ve discovered on the Island a piece of the story has come along with it. 

“Every artifact, every apex drops, every boss battle, it has all been leading up to this moment. 

“Now it’s time to understand the bigger picture and begin to discover why every Survivor wakes up on the beach with a diamond shaped implant in their arm.”

Tomorrow will also see the launch of the new ARK Ragnarok mod, which offers a new map and new creatures to battle.

While currently available on PC, PS4 and Xbox One players have been waiting sometime to play the new full-conversion experience.

Unlike the full game, Ragnarok has been developed by the former creators of popular ARK mods Valhalla and Umassoura.

It too will also be supported by new updates, which will add more content over the coming months.

Wildcard recently confirmed that ARK’s August 29 launch update, in addition to the new content and Ragnarok, will reintroduce non-dedicated online splitscreen support.

Studio Wildcard haven’t provided a set launch time for the new servers coming to the game but have revealed that the Official Server Network will be taken down at 5am BST on August 29, and will remain down for approximately 8 hours, with official servers coming back online at 1pm BST.

A list of what ARK Survival Evolved: Ragnarok is aiming to achieve, can be found below:

  • A 144 sq kilometer map designed to be explored by land/sea/air with most places accessible by foot.
  • A host of harvest-able resources readily available for players to pick up, including sticks and carrots.
  • Building caves designed to be built in, big and small
  • New unique takes on former ARK creatures, as well a special creature unique to Ragnarok
  • Build tree platforms on unique trees/rocks in biomes other than the redwoods! 
  • Expansive biomes that were built to reward those who explore them
  • Realistic Transitions that blend the terrain more naturally
  • Challenging dungeons in that require forethought and preparation
  • An active Volcano that while erupting yields a high amount of resources in the form of lava crystal
  • Beautiful vistas and base locations as far as the eye can see
  • Hot springs that while dormant yield a relaxing buff, but while active can cause a quick death!
  • Ruins to not only explore but that can also be incorporated into base builds
  • A vast ocean with its own ecosystem
  • A future desert to find and tame SE creatures
  • Upcoming unique explorer notes that hold the key to Ragnarok’s secrets