"Ark Fans Criticize AI-Generated Content in Expansion Trailer"

The newly released trailer for the Ark: Survival Evolved expansion from publisher Snail Games has sparked widespread outrage within the Ark community due to its evident use of low-quality generative AI imagery. The trailer, unveiled following Snail Games' GDC announcement of its new expansion map, "Ark: Aquatica," showcases an ambitious underwater setting where 95% of the gameplay occurs beneath the surface. However, the execution of the visuals has been heavily criticized.

Irish YouTuber Syntac, a prominent figure in the Ark community with over 1.9 million subscribers, expressed strong disapproval, stating, "This is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves." His comment, reflecting the sentiment of many, sits atop the trailer's comment section. Other viewers have echoed this sentiment, describing the trailer as "pathetic" and "embarrassing." The trailer's flaws are glaring, featuring AI-generated anomalies such as fish that blur in and out of existence, a grotesquely misshapen hand holding a spear gun, a levitating octopus in front of an indecisive shipwreck, and human feet transforming into flippers.

The future of "Ark 2" remains a topic of interest among fans, especially after it missed its previously planned late 2024 release window. This week, Studio Wildcard confirmed ongoing development of the dinosaur survival sequel and announced "Ark: Lost Colony," a new expansion for Ark: Survival Ascended that will set the stage for the sequel.

Adding to the trailer's allure, Michelle Yeoh, star of "Ark: The Animated Series," reprises her role in the "Ark: Aquatica" trailer.