ARK Players are NOT Happy...

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the upcoming DLC map, *Astreus*, launching on February 12th for $14.99. They explore both sides of the community's reaction: some feel it’s unfair to charge for content once available for free, while others support compensating mod creators. While the speaker is excited about supporting modders, they express concerns over the map’s lack of new creatures and its incomplete status at launch. They encourage community feedback and emphasize the importance of balancing paid content with free offerings. Overall, the speaker is eager for the map but calls for improvements and transparency.

Takeaways

• 😀 A new map, Astrius, is launching on February 12th for $14.99 as a paid DLC, instead of a free premium mod as initially planned.
• 😀 The map will be available on all platforms and integrated into official servers, making it a seamless addition to the Ark world.
• 😀 Astrius is a massive 264 km map, and will grow over time with updates and challenges, developed by the talented creator NCUS and sponsored by Nitr.
• 😀 The decision to charge for the map has sparked debate in the community, with some players upset about the shift from free to paid maps.
• 😀 Some players defend the paid DLC model, citing the hard work of mod creators and the opportunity for them to be financially rewarded for their contributions.
• 😀 The community is split on whether the price is justified, especially since the map does not include new creatures, which many expected.
• 😀 Although Astrius is a finished map, there are concerns that charging for it without new creatures or significant additions could set a low standard for future paid DLCs.
• 😀 Despite the debate, the creator NCUS is praised for their hard work, and players are encouraged to support the map if they enjoy it.
• 😀 The video creator expresses mixed feelings: while supporting mod creators, they believe that the $15 price point might be too steep for a map that lacks new creatures.
• 😀 The video creator also emphasizes the importance of not losing sight of players' needs and suggests that Wildcard should continue to offer free content alongside paid DLCs.
• 😀 In response to those who can't afford the map, the creator plans to host giveaways to ensure everyone has a chance to experience the new content.

Q & A

What is the new map being discussed in the video?

The new map is called *Astreus*, and it will be launched as a paid DLC for *Ark: Survival Ascended* on February 12th, priced at $14.99.

Why was the video creator initially unsure about making this video?

The creator originally uploaded a video discussing the community crunch but later decided to make it more of a debate format, where they express their opinions and address both the positives and negatives of the new map.

What are the major points of debate regarding the new DLC map?

The major points of debate revolve around the price of the DLC ($14.99), the lack of new creatures, and the fact that the map is still considered unfinished despite being sold as an official DLC.

Why do some people in the community feel frustrated about the new map being paid?

Many players are frustrated because *Ark* has traditionally provided free maps, and they feel that by charging for DLCs now, Wildcard is breaking the longstanding tradition of free content.

What is the argument in favor of charging for the new map?

The argument in favor is that mod creators, who previously didn't earn much for their work, will now be compensated fairly for their contributions. This allows modders to continue creating new content for the game.

What is the concern regarding the map's content, specifically related to creatures?

Players are concerned that the map does not feature new creatures, which has been a hallmark of previous expansions. Despite the $14.99 price tag, this new DLC map will only include the finished map without any new creatures.

How does the creator feel about the map’s unfinished nature?

The creator expresses concern that the map is being sold despite not being fully finished, which might set a low standard for future paid DLCs. They believe that the map should be more complete if it’s going to be sold as a premium product.

What does the creator think about the pricing of the map?

The creator feels that $14.99 might be a bit steep for an unfinished map, especially since it doesn't include new creatures, and that the community should set high standards for future DLC pricing and content.

What is the creator's stance on supporting modders through paid DLCs?

The creator supports the idea of compensating modders for their hard work and is willing to pay for future official partner DLCs if it helps creators make a living. However, they also emphasize the need for the content to be complete and up to a certain standard.

How does the creator propose to engage with the community about the new map?

The creator encourages viewers to share their thoughts in the comments section of the video, aiming to foster a community discussion about the new map and gather different perspectives on the changes in *Ark: Survival Ascended*.