ARK: Survival Evolved
Developed by Studio Wildcard, Instinct Games, Efecto Studios, Virtual Basement LLC · Published by Studio Wildcard, Snail Games USA
At a glance
Overview
An action, adventure, indie game by Studio Wildcard, Instinct Games, published by Studio Wildcard — single-player, multi-player, mmo, co-op.
Steam’s own one-line description: “Stranded on the shores of a mysterious island, you must learn to survive. Use your cunning to kill or tame the primeval creatures roaming the land, and encounter other players to survive, dominate... and escape!” — developer/publisher text via the Steam store page.
Reception & community
Review sentiment, ownership and peak-concurrent estimates via SteamSpy; tags are player-voted on Steam. Estimates change over time.
What players say about ARK: Survival Evolved
Distilled by AI from 42 real Steam player reviews + verified Steam facts. The honest picture — praise and criticism both.
👍 What players love
- The game offers a unique and addictive survival experience with a vast open world.
- Players enjoy the ability to tame and ride dinosaurs, adding depth to gameplay.
- Cooperative play is highly praised, making it a fun experience for friends and family.
- The game allows for extensive customization and modding, enhancing replayability.
- Many players appreciate the humor and unpredictability of the game, leading to memorable moments.
👎 Common complaints
- Recent updates have caused significant bugs and performance issues, making the game unplayable for some.
- The game's massive storage requirements have become a barrier for many players.
- There are concerns about the game's direction and the perceived greed of the developers, leading to dissatisfaction.
- Players have reported losing progress and data, which can be frustrating and demotivating.
- The game has become increasingly unstable, with many players experiencing crashes and loading issues.
Is it worth it?
ARK: Survival Evolved offers a unique and engaging survival experience, especially for players who enjoy cooperative gameplay and taming dinosaurs. However, recent updates have introduced significant bugs and performance issues, which may deter new players. It's worth considering if you're willing to navigate these challenges.
Getting started — quick tips
- Before starting, consider opting for the pre-Aquatica version to avoid recent bugs.
- Manage your storage by selectively downloading DLCs to save space.
- Play with friends to enhance the experience and tackle challenges together.
- Be prepared for a steep learning curve; patience and experimentation are key.
- Regularly back up your game data to avoid losing progress.
Features & modes
Derived from the gameplay modes and feature categories Steam lists for ARK: Survival Evolved.
| Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
| Single-player | Yes |
| Multiplayer | Yes |
| Co-op | Yes |
| Online co-op | No |
| PvP | No |
| Cross-platform multiplayer | No |
| Full controller support | Yes |
| Partial controller support | No |
| Steam Cloud saves | Yes |
| Steam Achievements | Yes |
System requirements (PC)
As published on the Steam store page. Requirements can change between updates.
Minimum
- OS *: Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit versions)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2400/AMD FX-8320 or better
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 670 2GB/AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB or better
- DirectX: Version 10
- Storage: 60 GB available space
- Additional Notes: Requires broadband internet connection for multiplayer
Supported languages (21)
ARK: Survival Evolved FAQ
Answered from the official Steam listing as of September 2026. Data stamp: September 2026 (oldest record; newest recorded refresh: September 2026). Recorded refreshes can include failed attempts; check Steam for current facts. Where something hasn't been announced, we say so rather than guess.
Is the game still worth buying?
While many players have enjoyed it for thousands of hours, recent updates have caused significant issues, leading to mixed opinions.
Can I play with friends?
Yes, cooperative play is a strong aspect of the game, and many players enjoy teaming up.
What should I do if the game is buggy?
Some players recommend using the pre-Aquatica version to avoid recent bugs and restore mod functionality.
How large is the game?
The game size has ballooned to over 300GB with updates and DLCs, which can be a concern for those with limited storage.
Are there frequent updates?
Updates have been frequent, but many players feel that recent ones have negatively impacted gameplay.
What kind of game is ARK: Survival Evolved?
Steam classifies ARK: Survival Evolved as a Action, Adventure, Indie, Massively Multiplayer, RPG game, developed by Studio Wildcard, Instinct Games. Stranded on the shores of a mysterious island, you must learn to survive. Use your cunning to kill or tame the primeval creatures roaming the land, and encounter other players to survive, dominate... and escape!
How much does ARK: Survival Evolved cost?
As of September 2026, Steam lists ARK: Survival Evolved at $14.99. Prices and regional pricing change — check the Steam page for the current figure.
Is ARK: Survival Evolved single-player or multiplayer?
Steam lists these modes for ARK: Survival Evolved: Single-player, Multi-player, MMO, Co-op. It supports both solo and multiplayer.
Is ARK: Survival Evolved on PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch?
Our data comes from the Steam (PC) store, which lists ARK: Survival Evolved for Windows, macOS. Console availability isn’t in our Steam-sourced data — check the official site or the console store.
Is ARK: Survival Evolved out yet?
Yes — Steam lists a release date of Aug 27, 2017.
What platforms is ARK: Survival Evolved on?
ARK: Survival Evolved is listed for Windows, macOS on the Steam (PC) store. Console availability isn't covered by Steam's PC store data — check the official channels.
Is ARK: Survival Evolved single-player or multiplayer?
Steam lists these modes: Single-player, Multi-player, MMO, Co-op.
How much does ARK: Survival Evolved cost?
Steam lists it at $14.99.
Does ARK: Survival Evolved have achievements?
Yes — Steam lists 32 achievements for ARK: Survival Evolved.
What is ARK: Survival Evolved's Metacritic score?
ARK: Survival Evolved has a Metacritic score of 70/100, per the Steam store listing.
Who made ARK: Survival Evolved?
ARK: Survival Evolved is developed by Studio Wildcard, Instinct Games, Efecto Studios, Virtual Basement LLC and published by Studio Wildcard, Snail Games USA.
Where to get ARK: Survival Evolved
We don't sell games or track prices — this links to the official Steam store page.
View on Steam →Listing details from Valve's public Steam store data · official site. Not affiliated with Valve/Steam, Studio Wildcard, Snail Games USA.