Community Crunch 491: The Sands Stir on Astraeos

Astraeos expands in a big way on [color=#ffcc66]February 25th[/color] with the arrival of Pyranthos, a vast new desert landmass shaped by myth, ruin, and survival. Far from an empty wasteland, Pyranthos is a hostile, ancient region where shifting sands give way to forgotten structures, buried pathways, and environments designed to test preparation as much as curiosity. This is a place built for exploration, but it doesn’t reward carelessness.Download in full resolutionBeyond the desert itself, this update pushes Astraeos forward with new challenges across the map. Powerful creatures roam both the surface and the depths below, ancient forces stir in long-abandoned arenas, previously unexplored artifact caves beckon the curious, and new boss encounters await those ready to face them.This major Astraeos update launches February 25, introducing new explorable areas, boss fights, caves, and more. We’ll share more as we get closer, but for now, sharpen your blades and prepare for the heat. The desert is watching.Since we last checked in, the Live Ops team has been focused on closing out several high-impact post-launch issues and stabilising crashes and edge cases.We’ve resolved the issue affecting Outpost and resource cache spawning, and addressed possession-related problems, including cases where thralls could fall through the mesh when returning to players. We’ve also fixed an issue that could cause the Lost Queen encounter to fail with larger groups, and made it possible to participate in Outpost missions while possessing thralls.Alongside this, we’ve addressed an issue where replicators could be used to block Quetzals equipped with a platform saddle, preventing an unintended “cheese” setup that allowed for unfair PvP advantages. We continue to work through other reported quirks as they’re confirmed and locked in.Looking ahead, Gloon balance changes are coming next week. We’re also working through a character screen crash and additional map fixes, which are still in progress and will roll out with our next major version update..As always, thanks for the detailed reports. They’ve been instrumental in helping us prioritise and validate fixes as we move forward.MODSPOLIGHTLINKDownload & play new custom content created by players, including new maps, creatures, items, and game modes, through a dedicated new Mod-browser directly within the game. Enjoy an endless stream of new ARK content as the creativity and talent of the community is fully unleashed for the first time across gaming platforms and stay tuned as we spotlight more Cross-Platform Mods each week!This video features: Modern House by Weiyi_UE Eternal Chaos by IcyDog7272 Lost Knights Skin pack by Drunken Galleon Studio Fearsome Fashion by Jams_uWuSurvivor, the sun is setting on Arat Prime, and the war for the city is in full swing.This is no longer just about survival. It is about dominion.Three forces now clash for control of the Necrocene.We want you to bring that conflict to life, through the lens of your chosen faction.The Faction Art Contest begins.Pick your side, draw your allegiance, and help your faction conquer the Lost Colony.Voting Start: Friday, January 23rdWinners Announced: Friday, January 30thTo vote Head over to the ⁠[color=#6699ff]#lostcolony-submissions[/color] on the [color=#6699ff]Official ARK Discord[/color]. React with the [color=#ffcc66]golden check mark[/color] on the artworks you like best. You can vote on as many art as you want, but only reactions with the special [color=#ffcc66]golden check mark[/color] count!Best in ClassThe best artist for each individual faction. All Best-in-Class winners and runners-up will receive Lost Colony keys.The Grand VictorThe single artwork with the most [color=#ffcc66]golden check marks[/color] overall decides which faction claims the Discord.Grand Victor rewards include:Server Banner: The winning artwork becomes the faction’s pinned banner for the week.Exclusive Role: The Grand Victor receives a unique “Champion of the Lost Colony” role.The Grand Prize:TOTAL DISCORD SERVER TAKEOVER!The winning faction will conquer this Discord for a full week.Not an artist? You can still fight for your side.React to [color=red]this post[/color] with the emoji of your chosen faction in the ARK Discord to gain a special role.The faction with the most pledges at the end of the contest will receive a special community reward.This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until [color=#3498db]Monday, January 26[/color]. [color=#3498db]PVP/PVE:[/color] 2x Harvesting, Taming, and Experience, and Breeding [color=#3498db]Small Tribes: [/color]4.5x Harvesting, Taming, and Experience + 4x Breeding [color=#3498db]ARKpocalypse:[/color] 5x Harvesting, Taming and Experience, and BreedingFan Art Gallery | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form[color=#3498db]Creator[/color]: Mystic on ArkMystic shows you to get yourself a majestic Aureliax!YOUTUBE URL[color=#3498db]Creator[/color]: ClickTo

Jan 24, 2026 - 09:07

Community Crunch 491: The Sands Stir on Astraeos

Astraeos expands in a big way on [color=#ffcc66]February 25th[/color] with the arrival of Pyranthos, a vast new desert landmass shaped by myth, ruin, and survival. Far from an empty wasteland, Pyranthos is a hostile, ancient region where shifting sands give way to forgotten structures, buried pathways, and environments designed to test preparation as much as curiosity. This is a place built for exploration, but it doesn’t reward carelessness.

Download in full resolution

Beyond the desert itself, this update pushes Astraeos forward with new challenges across the map. Powerful creatures roam both the surface and the depths below, ancient forces stir in long-abandoned arenas, previously unexplored artifact caves beckon the curious, and new boss encounters await those ready to face them.

This major Astraeos update launches February 25, introducing new explorable areas, boss fights, caves, and more. We’ll share more as we get closer, but for now, sharpen your blades and prepare for the heat. The desert is watching.

Since we last checked in, the Live Ops team has been focused on closing out several high-impact post-launch issues and stabilising crashes and edge cases.

We’ve resolved the issue affecting Outpost and resource cache spawning, and addressed possession-related problems, including cases where thralls could fall through the mesh when returning to players. We’ve also fixed an issue that could cause the Lost Queen encounter to fail with larger groups, and made it possible to participate in Outpost missions while possessing thralls.

Alongside this, we’ve addressed an issue where replicators could be used to block Quetzals equipped with a platform saddle, preventing an unintended “cheese” setup that allowed for unfair PvP advantages. We continue to work through other reported quirks as they’re confirmed and locked in.

Looking ahead, Gloon balance changes are coming next week. We’re also working through a character screen crash and additional map fixes, which are still in progress and will roll out with our next major version update..

As always, thanks for the detailed reports. They’ve been instrumental in helping us prioritise and validate fixes as we move forward.

MODSPOLIGHTLINK

Download & play new custom content created by players, including new maps, creatures, items, and game modes, through a dedicated new Mod-browser directly within the game. Enjoy an endless stream of new ARK content as the creativity and talent of the community is fully unleashed for the first time across gaming platforms and stay tuned as we spotlight more Cross-Platform Mods each week!

This video features:

Modern House by Weiyi_UE
Eternal Chaos by IcyDog7272
Lost Knights Skin pack by Drunken Galleon Studio
Fearsome Fashion by Jams_uWu

Survivor, the sun is setting on Arat Prime, and the war for the city is in full swing.

This is no longer just about survival. It is about dominion.
Three forces now clash for control of the Necrocene.
We want you to bring that conflict to life, through the lens of your chosen faction.
The Faction Art Contest begins.

Pick your side, draw your allegiance, and help your faction conquer the Lost Colony.

Voting Start: Friday, January 23rd
Winners Announced: Friday, January 30th

To vote

Head over to the ⁠[color=#6699ff]#lostcolony-submissions[/color] on the [color=#6699ff]Official ARK Discord[/color].
React with the [color=#ffcc66]golden check mark[/color] on the artworks you like best.
You can vote on as many art as you want, but only reactions with the special [color=#ffcc66]golden check mark[/color] count!

Best in Class
- The best artist for each individual faction. All Best-in-Class winners and runners-up will receive Lost Colony keys.
The Grand Victor
- The single artwork with the most [color=#ffcc66]golden check marks[/color] overall decides which faction claims the Discord.
- Grand Victor rewards include:
  - Server Banner: The winning artwork becomes the faction’s pinned banner for the week.
  - Exclusive Role: The Grand Victor receives a unique “Champion of the Lost Colony” role.
- The Grand Prize:
  - TOTAL DISCORD SERVER TAKEOVER!
  - The winning faction will conquer this Discord for a full week.

Not an artist? You can still fight for your side.

React to [color=red]this post[/color] with the emoji of your chosen faction in the ARK Discord to gain a special role.

The faction with the most pledges at the end of the contest will receive a special community reward.

This weekend, the Official Network will be receiving bonus rates! It will be active until [color=#3498db]Monday, January 26[/color].

[color=#3498db]PVP/PVE:[/color] 2x Harvesting, Taming, and Experience, and Breeding
[color=#3498db]Small Tribes: [/color]4.5x Harvesting, Taming, and Experience + 4x Breeding
[color=#3498db]ARKpocalypse:[/color] 5x Harvesting, Taming and Experience, and Breeding

Fan Art Gallery | Screenshot Gallery | Artist Feedback Form

[color=#3498db]Creator[/color]: Mystic on Ark
Mystic shows you to get yourself a majestic Aureliax!

YOUTUBE URL

[color=#3498db]Creator[/color]: ClickTockClock
ClickTockClock shows you the most effective ways to get raw meat and where to find plant species R seeds on Lost Colony!

YOUTUBE URL

Soldier by BumpySlays22

The Portal by Alkonavi

Yi Ling by lizalfoes

Absolute Gloonema by rcmp0407

Among gods and beasts, skies still remain ruled by them by @WolfTek7

Are you sure this is Safe? by Umbra-Daiwrfol

Fluffy Snow Owl, looking so warm! by @aoimao_222

Photo Mode by @chikuwa_ark

I'm givin' the Snow Owl some love with my boy, Aegyo! by frisk_lycanias

My Ultimate All-in-One Lost Colony Base! by lolsatlance

Photo Mode by savkyn

Snarl is a good dog by anhagath

Enjoy your weekend!
Studio Wildcard

Twitter: twitter.com/survivetheark
Discord: discord.com/invite/playark
Reddit: reddit.com/r/playark
Instagram: instagram.com/survivetheark
Twitch: twitch.tv/survivetheark
Steam: steamcommunity.com/app/346110
Youtube: youtube.com/survivetheark
Facebook: facebook.com/survivetheark
Threads: threads.net/@survivetheark
Official Wiki: https://ark.wiki.gg/wiki/ARK_Survival_Evolved_Wiki

Tags:

Palworld lead hits back at claims Pocketpair "dgaf" about its survival hit, joke...

What's Your Reaction?

Dislike

Love

Funny

Angry

Sad

Wow

XINKER - Business and Income Tips Explore XINKER, the ultimate platform for mastering business strategies, discovering passive income opportunities, and learning success principles. Join a community of thinkers dedicated to achieving financial freedom and entrepreneurial excellence.