Hi there! This is our first ARK Digest Highlights post! We are kicking this series off with ARK Digest #10. A tremendous amount of questions are answered in each issue of ARK Digest, so posts in this series will be significantly longer!
To start off, Damien Bull, Lead Level Designer for ARK, was interviewed in the Developer Spotlight section of this issue of Digest, talking about the work he does with level designing in ARK. The map you see above is a Biome Concept Map, which includes the Snow Biome, shown in blue, and the Swamp Biome, shown in green. These new areas are going to have special flora and fauna, as well as a unique look and feel.
Certain creatures will only spawn within and stay close to these zones, and entering these zones subjects players to different effects, like extreme coldness in the Snow Biome. Check out a sneak peek of what the Snow Biome looks like below!
Another really cool thing that was discussed was Boss Arenas, relating to the game lore. Below you will see a piece of Boss Arena Concept Art. Just look at that showdown between a human and a Broodmother! Not to mention, the arena seems to look like a swamp... Swamp Biome anyone?
The Swamp Biome is arriving in the coming weeks, with the Snow Biome following after!
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Now, on to the answers of the questions posed!
Underwater bases will be a thing! Players will be able to build fully underwater bases, while getting their air supply from the pockets of air in underwater caves! How cool is that?!
It will be observed how per-pixel painting goes for Signs and Flags first, and if it works out well, it may then be added to everything! Imagine being able to paint your tribe's logo on everything you own! Even yourselves! HAHAHA
Various methods to camouflage and disguise yourself in the terrain will be coming, including camo clothing, and custom-dyed clothes!
Diurnal/Nocturnal behaviours for creatures are coming next month! You could come across a sleeping nocturnal creature and use the element of surprise to get in a few hits before it comes to its senses. However, if they're disturbed from their sleep, they could wake up on the wrong side of the bed and you'll have trouble on your hands! Just a scenario you could encounter with this cool upcoming feature!
Small note that lots of sorting options will be coming soon. Yay!!! :P
Friendly reminder that sci-fi tier items are coming as well!
As per a player's great suggestion, we will be getting a gaslight lantern, to bridge the gap between the standing torch and electric lamp!
Massive improvements for flyer mechanics like landing nearer to the dismount point are in the works! In fact, the ability to land and taxi on the ground is coming next week! Awesome! Now I can park my Pteranodon exactly where I need it to be...
Extra areas of the map like islands are going to be added, and they will contain higher-level resources as well as combat! The ocean will also be expanded with these additions!
At the moment, Tyrannosaurus is the only creature that can roar using the Right Mouse Button. This action is going to get its own dedicated "Roaring" button, as well as the ability to scare off wild creatures which tend to flee! Additionally, most creatures are going to get this ability to roar or taunt too!
Sabertooths are going to get a remodel :)
*cough* the females *cough*
Another note that the crossbow is coming soon! Like in tomorrow's patch, v187! And it can shoot underwater! WOOHOO!!!
There will be siege weapons to break down those stone walls (and possibly even metal)... Possible examples would be catapults, battering rams (possibly attached to dinos, especially those that charge, aka Triceratops!!!!! Hehehe), or trebuchets!
Petting your animals will soon be possible! Doing so will cause the affected animal to perform a "received pet" animation and also grant it a temporary XP-earning multiplier buff. Also, show your love and encouragement to your dinos before battle! (Damage, stamina or health buffs as well maybe?)
Thunderstorms will be added to the existing weather system, which will be enhanced for even cooler weather cycles!
The upgrade to the normal Bow, the new Composite Bow, is set to arrive in two weeks! Look out for it!
Many character customisation options will soon be available, along with accessories!
Traps will be coming in about two weeks, and they can be used to immobilise creatures, including humans! Don't get yourself caught in one.
A massive update will be made to the dino AI next month, which will include sensory-based targeting, the above-mentioned diurnal/nocturnal behaviours, and other customisation options for behaviours, depending on the species!
Machined Sniper Rifle is on its way :)
Reminder that the Machined Shotgun is arriving in tomorrow's update!
An "Attack That Target" whistle will be coming tomorrow! It does not require you to attack your target before your pets follow suit!
A colossal amount of stuff is planned for the end-game content! More caves, Boss Arenas, and Ascension Goals are upcoming!
More big carnivores are coming to the game! Allosaurus, maybe? :)
Stone Behemoth Gate is coming soon!
Aquatic animals with four fins, such as the Plesiosaur, are going to be able to swim backwards and even turn on the spot! Awesome!
Knives and swords will be added alongside the above-mentioned siege weapons!
Pteranodons (and possibly other flyers too!) will soon be able to do the barrel roll, as seen in the trailer!
A Transponder is coming soon, which will help in locating players' dead bodies! I wonder how that will work! Possibly by tagging oneself with the Electronic Trackers?
Also, a reminder that rafts are coming soon! Just some little boats to help you cross the ever-so-deadly waters of ARK!
And I have kept the best for last...
Presenting to you, a sneak peek of what the Brontosaurus Platform Saddle, which will allow you to build on it (Awesome?!?!?!), might look like!
The Brontosaurus Platform Saddle, together with the one for the Plesiosaur, will be arriving within the week! I am so hyped for building on dinos!!!
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I did not cover all the questions that were featured, only those that I felt were more significant or interesting! This will also be the case for future Highlights posts!
That will be all for our first ARK Digest Highlights post! Unfortunately, I did not start this when they were at issue #1, so the numbering for posts in this series will have to start from #10... I guess it will have to do :P
In tomorrow's Dino Dossier post, we will be featuring ants! Or should I say, giant ants...
-Skyhawk :D
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