The latest update for ARK: Survival Evolved introduces splitscreen multiplayer, three new dinosaurs, and plenty of new items and features from Studio Wildcard.
ARK: Survival Evolved has borne witness to no shortage of updates in the last few weeks, whether they came in the form of terror birds or even a tasty beverage. Studio Wildcard has seen a massive interest from console-based gamers, and as a result the latest update for ARK: Survival Evolved now brings splitscreen multiplayer functionality into the fold. The feature had been a common request from Xbox One gamers, and it's one of the most significant additions the console edition of ARK has seen to date.
Splitscreen isn't all today's new ARK: Survival Evolved patch has to offer, however. The massive update will see Xbox One gamers get three new dinosaurs, a few new items, and plenty of code-based optimization on top of the new multiplayer option.
The 'all-new' Dimetrodon dinosaur will join the small family of friendly dinosaurs on the planet, and it will simply provide shelter from both extreme cold and extreme heat by using the insulating sail along its back. This absorbs heat and provides shade during the warmer days, and it will exude the heat it has built up during the cold days.
Dung Beetles were also added to the game, and the surprisingly adorable critters are more useful than their title may imply. The eco-friendly insects will feature as a domesticated pet that eats waste and turns it into either fertilization for crops or even burnable oil that can power the player's generators.
The chicken-like gallimimus is the third and final dinosaur to join the pack in this update, but the hapless herbivore enters the arena with no means of defending itself. Thankfully, the gallimimus happens to be the fastest dino in the game, so they come ready to retreat should any predators come near. Should players domesticate one of them, they'll find a very useful dinosaur that can ferry up to three players at once on its back, allowing players to travel in both style and speed.
Take a look at the three new dinosaurs below:
[gallery link="file" ids="289439,289438"]
Aside from the updates that are focused on bringing new friends into the game with splitscreen multiplayer, there's also a solid list of new features being introduced by Studio Wildcard. Here's the list of new items and features players can see if they download today's update:
- SWAT-style Assault Armor for all your raiding needs!
- Greenhouse structure pieces to aid survivors in growing crops
- The shockingly powerful Electric Prod easily capable of knocking you out.
- Deep-Sea Loot Crates: swim into the deep and discover the highly valuable loot that exists below
- Craftable Beer Kegs for making tasty brews, with various status enhancing effects, however the subsequent ‘hangover’ effects are not so pleasant!
- Loads of bug fixes, serious performance update (~15%), fixed memory leak
- Non-dedicated servers now support up to Eight survivors and 33% larger tether distance
This looks like it's one of the best updates we've seen for ARK: Survival Evolved yet, and we're sure the ability to bring some friends in for splitscreen action is going to be a game-changer for those playing on Xbox One. For the Sony gamers out there, a PlayStation 4 version is expected when the game is fully completed.
ARK: Survival Evolved is currently available as an early access title for PC and Xbox One.