Summary: The major DLC for Ark: Survival Evolved, "Underground Labyrinth," is officially scheduled to launch on Steam on August 27. The standard price in the China region is 48 yuan, with a limited-time 10% discount during the first week of release, bringing the discounted price to 43.2 yuan. This DLC focuses on the concept of environmental adaptation to create a complete underground ecosystem, introducing new unique creatures and secret realm bosses. Much of the design inspiration comes from player community feedback, enriching the underground exploration experience through co-creation with players.
As a major content update for the long-term iteration of Ark: Survival Evolved, "Underground Labyrinth" focuses on core gameplay elements such as survival in harsh conditions, secret realm exploration, and boss conquest, constructing a complete and ecologically independent underground world. To differentiate from surface adventure experiences, the development team has crafted an exclusive lineage of underground creatures. All new species and secret realm bosses are adapted to the special underground environment, forming a distinct contrast with surface creatures.
The creature design for this DLC always follows the core concept of "environment shapes creatures, creatures adapt to environment." Different underground biomes nurture exclusive life forms with completely different forms and habits. Creatures in luminous caves have special light-emitting structures adapted to the perennially dark underground environment; creatures in rocky areas are covered with hard shells, their body structures more suitable for moving through rock walls; special creatures inhabiting ancient ruins still bear traces of modification by ancient underground civilizations. Each ecological design is highly distinctive.
Among the many new underground creatures, the development team specifically selected the Jumping Weasel as a high-quality companion suited for early-game survival. This creature is perfectly adapted to low-light and complex terrain exploration scenarios underground, possessing the unique ability to glide slowly in the air. It can flexibly navigate through the three-dimensional underground spaces, serving multiple roles such as underground exploration, resource transportation, and adventure assistance, making it a capable partner for players expanding into the underground world.
Many functional designs for the underground creatures incorporate long-term feedback from the player community, aligning with players' desires for gameplay involving underground exploration, efficient mining, and ruin conquest. This makes the underground ecological content a result of co-creation between the developers and the players.
The DLC will be officially unlocked on August 27, with the launch discount starting simultaneously. The new underground ecosystem will bring players a groundbreaking sandbox exploration experience.