When does Scorched Earth release for Ark: Survival Ascended? Answered

Scorched Earth was the first expansion released for Ark: Survival Evolved in 2016, and it’s making a return again in the new and improved remaster on Unreal Engine Five in Ark: Survival Ascended.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Scorched Earth release date, the content it includes, the pricing, and future DLC in Ark: Survival Ascended.

When does Scorched Earth release for Ark: Survival Ascended?

The Scorched Earth map will be available in Ark: Survival Ascended on Sunday, March 31, a delay from the initial release window.

Scorched Earth was previously due to release when the game first dropped but was pushed back until December 2023, though it wound up being delayed again to April 1. Now, it’s scheduled to arrive a day earlier.

What content does Scorched Earth include?

The main feature of Scorched Earth is the new desert map, which comes with new creatures, items, resources, structures, and more.

Each map in Ark: Survival Ascended will launch with a new creature exclusive to that map, and Scorched Earth will see the introduction of the Fasolasuchus. But the Fasolasuchus and other Scorched Earth creatures like the Jerboa will be able to transfer to other maps like The Island.

More details on Scorched Earth and the additional tweaks Studio Wildcard has made will be revealed closer to launch.

Will Scorched Earth be free for those who own Ark: Survival Ascended?

Yes, all purchases of Ark: Survival Ascended will include access to Scorched Earth and all other future DLC maps for free.

Unlike Ark: Survival Evolved, you won’t have to fork out for each map individually. But there are still some paid purchases that are entirely optional.

Each DLC map in Ark: Survival Ascended will include a theme park providing cosmetic items and more in-game content. In Scorched Earth, this will include trains, wagons, and frontier-inspired building options. Each theme pack will be paid DLC.

What other DLCs are coming to Ark: Survival Ascended?

Scorched Earth is just the first in a long line of DLC maps that will be added to Ark: Survival Ascended, all of which are included in the base version of the game and won’t require additional purchases.

At least four more maps are expected to arrive throughout 2024: Aberration in July, Ragnarok in September, Extinction in October, and Valguero in December. A fifth map, The Center, was initially scheduled for February 2024 but was postponed indefinitely. So, maybe don’t be surprised if any other updates are subjected to delays too. On top of this, a “surprise” has been teased for November 2024.

More content will then be added in 2025, with Genesis Part One in February, Crystal Isles in April, Genesis Part Two in May, Lost Island in August, and Fjordur in October. There are also new canon expansions due, though release dates for those are TBA.