Ark: Survival Evolved Fans Criticize AI-Generated Trailer for Aquatica DLC

On Wednesday, Snail Games, the publisher behind Ark: Survival Evolved, dropped a trailer for a new expansion called Ark: Aquatica. But instead of excitement, it sparked confusion and criticism among fans. Interestingly, Studio Wildcard, the original developer of Ark, seemed to step back from the trailer, making it clear through social media that they aren’t involved in this project.

The backlash mainly stems from the trailer’s appearance of being almost entirely crafted through AI—both the visuals and the robotic narration, which promises an “exciting new world” beneath the waves, seem to lack that human touch Ark fans cherish.

Watching the Aquatica trailer can feel a bit eerie. The AI-generated images suffer from that odd, unsettling vibe people often criticize—the kind of animation where things don’t quite move right, limbs look strange, and a shiny, unreal quality coats everything. Unsurprisingly, the gaming community hasn’t held back in their critique.

A well-known Ark streamer, The AxeMan, didn’t mince words, stating, “You are so out of touch with your audience.” He added a stark message for improvement: “DO BETTER.”

Meanwhile, alongside the announcement from Snail Games, Studio Wildcard made it clear that they are not part of this expansion. They took to X (formerly Twitter) and stated, “ARK: Aquatica is being developed by [Snail Games] Colorado, please follow them for more updates.” They assured fans, “Studio Wildcard remains entirely dedicated to the production of ARK: Survival Ascended & ARK 2, and we’re excited to bring ARK: Lost Colony to you later this year!”

In short, the reveal of Ark: Aquatica didn’t exactly hit the mark for Snail Games, and it hasn’t done much to flatter the expansion in the eyes of its audience. Slated for a June release, this “non-canonical side story to Ark” is being positioned as a “family-friendly” entry point for newcomers—though it remains to be seen who will embrace this AI-driven venture.