Studio Wildcard Drops Major ARK Updates Including Cross-Platform Modding and Genesis Remake
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Studio Wildcard announced major updates for the ARK franchise at IGN Live 2026, including the cross-platform ARK Maker tool, the Genesis Part 1 remake with physical water, and a preview of the animated series.
Studio Wildcard co-founder Jeremy Stieglitz took to the stage during IGN Live 2026 to reveal a massive roadmap for the ARK franchise. The headline announcement is the brand-new ARK Maker tool, which gives players across console, PC, and mobile the power to build custom maps and functional gameplay content directly inside the game. You no longer need a dedicated PC rig or deep Unreal Engine knowledge to create custom experiences, opening up map design and community creation to a much wider cross-platform audience.
The updates do not stop at creator tools. Studio Wildcard also showcased the highly anticipated Genesis Part 1 expansion remake, which highlights a major technical upgrade in the form of fully physical ocean water. For a survival crafting game where base building and environmental navigation dictate the entire meta, dynamic water physics add a heavy layer of immersion and new strategic hurdles for long-running tribes and solo players alike.
Beyond the core game, the studio gave fans an exclusive first look at ARK: The Animated Series Part 2, slated for release on Paramount+. Franchise expansions have always leaned heavily into multi-media storytelling to build out the lore for the streaming and creator community. As digital ownership, cross-play ecosystems, and community-driven content continue to shape modern multiplayer gaming, Studio Wildcard is pushing to keep ARK relevant across multiple platforms and entertainment formats. Read the full details over at IGN South Africa.
Source: IGN South Africa
Tags: ARK Survival Ascended, Studio Wildcard, Gaming News, Cross-Platform, IGN Live 2026
Original article: IGN South Africa