ARK: Survival Evolved coming to Switch in November

Published: October 29, 2018 11:45 AM /

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Ark: Survival Evolved

ARK: Survival Evolved developer Studio Wildcard have announced that the survival game will be coming to the Nintendo Switch in roughly a month, on 30 November 2018 - with all the content found on other consoles.

The Switch release was first announced at GDC in March, to be developed in conjunction with War Drum Studios and allow players to experience the title with new freedom and convenience - the most alluring aspect of the Switch is the option to play any time, anywhere.

To coincide with this announcement is a live-action cinematic trailer, inviting players to ‘Survive the ARK.' Just as this trailer depicts a dramatic series of events with little in common with the actual game, the question begs to be asked - how will this Switch version differ from other console releases? In order to run smoothly on the compact, mobile Switch, games typically see a severe downgrade.

Additionally, while the entire base game has been confirmed as available on Switch, nothing has yet been said of the game's DLC. A Switch-centric issue is online play - it is unclear at this time whether the game will require Switch Online for its online features, and if unofficial servers and cross-play will be available. The answers to these questions could decide the popularity of this release, but will hopefully be forthcoming.

The original game fared well, selling 5.5 million copies in its first year. In the modern video game landscape, however, games continue to grow long after their initial release - ARK: Survival Evolved is a prime example of this.

First available as an early access title in 2015, the game has seen countless updates and expansions, finally leaving early access in mid 2017. Studio Wildcard also expanded on the original game with ARK: Survival of the Fittesta Battle Royale-esque spin-off title which has since shut down, as well as VR spin-off Ark Park, the Minecraft-like PixArk, and a free-to-play mobile port.

The switch version of ARK will include the entire ARK Island, with over 100 creatures for players to hunt, tame and breed. Players aim to survive, alone or along with hundreds of online players, through exploration, crafting of tools and shelters, and combat.

Are you excited for ARK’s Switch release? Will you be picking up this port come November? Let us know in the comments below!

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Sam Gohra
| Staff Writer

I'm studying Law and Arts at the University of Adelaide. I am passionate about video games, movies, books and music, and love to write about them.