The Center is poised to become the first supplementary map introduced to Ark: Survival Ascended, and the wait won’t be much longer.
Despite an initially challenging release, Ark: Survival Ascended is gearing up for a series of updates extending through 2025, promising players additional maps, creatures, and other content to enrich their gaming experience—ensuring an almost limitless adventure.
Among these forthcoming updates is The Center map, and we’re here to provide all the essential details about this DLC addition.
When does The Center release in Ark: Survival Ascended?
The Center was initially slated to be the first extra map released for Ark: Survival Ascended, with a planned launch at the end of February 2024. However, the release has encountered delays, and there’s currently no updated timeframe provided for The Center’s release.
Originally, it was announced on the roadmap that The Center would debut in May 2024, two months following the release of Scorched Earth. However, Studio Wildcard altered this timeframe in a Discord announcement, subsequently revising it to a “To Be Confirmed” window.
When The Center’s release was brought forward, the launch of Scorched Earth was slightly postponed to April 1, reclaiming its status as the first DLC map for Ark: Survival Ascended. No updated release schedules have been disclosed for other maps.
What content does The Center include?
The Center’s main attraction is its new map, initially released for Ark: Survival Evolved in May 2016. Unlike other DLCs in the original game, The Center was provided as a free bonus and did not require a separate purchase.
Featuring vast differences from The Island, Ark’s original map, The Center boasts deep oceans with two underwater domes for base-building, a sprawling natural bridge connecting the snow biome and the Redwood biome, an island with lava rivers, a skull-shaped island, and an extensive underground network.
While the initial release of The Center in Ark: Survival Evolved did not introduce new creatures, its arrival in Ark: Survival Ascended will bring the Gigantoraptor as an exclusive creature, not naturally found on other Ark maps.
Will The Center be free for those who own Ark: Survival Ascended?
Indeed, The Center map will be available without an additional purchase. All DLC maps in Ark: Survival Ascended are included in the base game’s purchase price—although there is optional paid content available.
Each new map in Ark: Survival Ascended will be accompanied by an “Adventure Pack,” featuring exclusive cosmetic items and in-game content. However, specific details regarding The Center’s pack contents are yet to be revealed.
