Snail Games Draws Ire with AI-Generated Trailer for Ark: Aquatica Expansion
The gaming community was left puzzled and unimpressed by the recent trailer released by Ark: Survival Evolved publisher Snail Games for their upcoming expansion, Ark: Aquatica. The trailer, which featured an underwater setting, seemed to be almost entirely AI-generated, from the video content to the robotic voice narration promising players “a whole new world.”
Viewers quickly noticed the uncanny and unnatural movements in the trailer, with limbs and extremities twisting in bizarre ways and an overall artificial sheen to the graphics. The response from the community was overwhelmingly negative, with many expressing their disappointment and frustration.
Popular Ark streamer, The AxeMan, didn’t hold back in his criticism, stating, “You are so out of touch with your audience. DO BETTER.”
Studio Wildcard Distances Itself from Ark: Aquatica
Adding to the confusion, original Ark developer Studio Wildcard made it clear that they were not involved in the development of Ark: Aquatica. In a social media post, they pointed out that the expansion is being developed by Snail Games’ Colorado studio and encouraged followers to stay updated through their channels.
Studio Wildcard reaffirmed its commitment to other projects, such as ARK: Survival Ascended and ARK 2, while teasing the release of ARK: Lost Colony later in the year.
Ark: Aquatica Faces Backlash
Despite the attempt to introduce a “non-canonical side story to Ark” with a “family-friendly” appeal, the reception to Ark: Aquatica has not been favorable. Scheduled for release in June, the expansion may struggle to win over players who are put off by the use of generative AI technology in creating the content.