ARK: Survival Evolved Getting PS4 Release

ARK: Survival Evolved has had a very strange history on Steam’s Early Access. Unlike many games in the program, it has run very well and it was clear it had a lot of work put into it. It received a constant stream of updates, with long term support for the game being a definite factor. Despite this, it managed to garner a fair bit of controversy. Even though the game was still in Early Access, a full priced expansion, Scorched Earth, was released for it. Said expansion was fairly well received, but there was controversy around DLC being sold while the game was unfinished.  Despite this, Studio Wildcard is likely to continue garnering controversy. Next week, ARK: Survival Evolved will be coming to PS4. And the game is still unfinished.

ARK: Survival Evolved’s official website has stated that the PS4 release is slated for December 6th. Furthermore, it will be selling both the base game and the Scorched Earth expansion for a bundle of $54.99 and €49.99 in Europe. Prices that are slightly higher than on Steam. European players will be able to purchase them separately, but North American players will not. Studio Wildcard clarified that, eventually NA players will be able to purchase these items separately. This will not be until spring 2017, however.

Studio Wildcard has acknowledged that the game has yet to be completed. They have stated that the PS4 version of ARK: Survival Evolved will receive constant updates “until the game releases as a final product in Spring 2017.” This something that is rather unprecedented, as the PS4 does not have an Early Access program. ARK: Survival Evolved may be in a more complete state than most games in the program, but it is still unfinished. It is slightly concerning to see this happen. Longtime fans will most likely react poorly to this, but there is another concern. Namely, PS4 players who aren’t familiar with the game’s history buying what they think is a complete game. How ARK is presented on the PS store front will be a large factor here. As well as potentially opening the door for future unfinished games if it isn’t transparent.