Ark: Survival Evolved PC update v254 has been delayed from its previous projected release date of Jan. 20. According to a message on the game’s Steam Page, the highly anticipated Tek Tier patch will now go live on Jan. 30.
In a brief message, Studio Wildcard community manager Jat suggested the v254 update is “much larger than we first anticipated and we need more time to work on it.” This means more time spent in development and testing across the board. Jat adds that everything will be in a playable state “soon” and that “we're cooking up an extra-special surprise feature for the patch.”
As for confirmed features, the current patch notes list hairstyles, Tek Tier phase one, seven new Dinos, new items, alliance chat and more. Some of those updates have already been demoed by the Studio Wildcard team. However, even listing them, it’s clear just how substantial v254 of Ark: Survival Evolved will be. It pales in comparison to the small Dino offering around the holidays.
Speaking of which, the reason the v253 update was fairly slim is because the Tek Tier introduction was supposed to arrive at that time as well. Clearly, this feature and its companion mechanics are taking longer to implement than originally expected. When all's said and done, high-level players will be able to take advantage of new Engrams, resources, rifles, helmets, jetpacks and more.
In addition to its numerous features, it’s also possible that Ark’s v254 patch had to be delayed because of recent developments in the console space. Blue screen issues had to be addressed on PS4, and content had to be added across PS4 and Xbox One to offer version parity with v253. Those tasks take time and manpower. Any resources spent on other platforms could theoretically detract from the PC build.
Ark: Survival Evolved is available now on PC, Xbox One, PS4, OS X and Linux. While you wait for v254, check out our taming guide for v253.
What are you most excited to use when Ark’s v254 update releases? Tell us in the comments section!
