Originally launched on Steam Early Access before heading to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, Studio Wildcard’s ARK: Survival Evolved has come full circle and is now an Xbox Play Anywhere title with Xbox One/Windows 10 cross-play support.
With the addition of the dinosaur action-adventure survival game to the Microsoft Store, those who have already purchased the game for their Xbox One can now install and play it on their Windows 10 PC at no additional cost. For those who have yet to purchase it, purchasing ARK: Survival Evolved on the Xbox One or through the Microsoft Store on their Windows 10 PC will be able to install and play it on their Xbox One console as well. For those not wanting to play against or with Windows 10 gamers, cross-play can be disabled through the game settings on the Xbox One when setting up as a host.
Due to terms of Windows & Xbox features, mods will not be available through the Windows 10 version of the game so if you’re one for playing modded versions of ARK, you’re best bet is to stick with the Steam version for the time being.
With cross-play support, Xbox One and Windows 10 players will be able to compete or cooperate on the same servers, meaning you can also take your progress with you across various machines. Studio Wildcard also pointed out that players will be able to host a 70-player dedicated server with the Windows 10 version of the game. Microsoft has graciously pointed out that if you launch ARK on your Windows 10 machine using a Silver account and set up a dedicated server, you can then log into your Gold account on your Xbox One and connect to your dedicated server without needing to purchase an additional copy.
The previously released “Scorched Earth” and last week’s “Aberration” Expansion Packs are also available to purchase and download through the Microsoft Store.
“Aberration” Expansion Pack Features
- Tame New Creatures: The intense radiation of Aberration has led to incredible genetic mutations, resulting in dozens of new creatures with amazing abilities! Clamber up walls & glide through the air on the back of a camouflaging chameleon-like ‘Rock Drake’, keep the dark at bay with one of four friendly ‘Lantern Pets’, or grab and toss multiple creatures simultaneously with a massive ‘Cave Crustacean’, or — if you are brave enough – allow the horrific “Reaper Queen” to impregnate you, and spawn a vicious male Reaper alien lifeform you can tame and control.
- Craft 50+ Unique Items: Use cave-climbing picks, gliding wingsuits, and ziplines to traverse this new ARK. Learn advanced engrams to dominate the harsh environment, protect yourself with hazmat outfits, charge lanterns, flashbangs, batteries, glowsticks, railguns and much more. Thrive by gathering new resources, using fishing baskets, gas collectors, fortify your home within the caverns using cliff structures, and much more!
- Conquer New Challenges: With the maintenance systems of this new ARK malfunctioning, earthquakes, radiation exposure, gas leaks, and Element chambers are among the many hazards that survivors will learn to grapple with Aberration’s varied biomes, both aboveground and below the surface. Gear-up to take on the horrifying threat lurking within the deepest depths of Aberration…
The “Aberration” Expansion Pack is available for $19.99 USD and is also included in the ARK Season Pass.
Are you excited that you can now buy once and play ARK: Survival Evolved on your Xbox One and Windows 10 PC? Or are you more excited for the Xbox One/Windows 10 cross-play support? Let us know in the comments below or on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.
