ARK Survival Ascended Maps Guide — Every Map and Release Date
Every map in ARK: Survival Ascended: the remastered story maps (The Island, Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction), free community maps (Ragnarok, Valguero, more), premium maps, and the confirmed future releases (Genesis, Dragontopia, Atlantis).
ARK Survival Ascended Maps Guide — Every Map and Release Date
The short version: ASA is rebuilding the entire ARK map library on UE5 — the story maps (The Island, Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction) are in, free community maps (Ragnarok, Valguero, and more) are being remastered and released for free, and premium maps plus new ones (Dragontopia, Atlantis) are on the 2026-2027 roadmap.
This guide lists every map, which are free, and what's coming.
The Map Situation in One Line
ASA currently has ~8-10 playable maps (story maps + free remasters + premium), with more free and premium maps confirmed through 2027. Not every old ARK: Survival Evolved map is in ASA yet — the port is ongoing.
Story Maps (The Canon)
These are the official ARK story maps, remastered in UE5:
| Map | Status in ASA |
|---|---|
| The Island | ✅ In (launch map) |
| Scorched Earth | ✅ In (remastered) |
| Aberration | ✅ In (remastered) |
| Extinction | ✅ In (remastered) |
| Genesis Part 1 & 2 | 🚧 Confirmed (Genesis Ascended on the roadmap) |
Free Community Maps (Remastered for Free)
Wildcard is remastering the beloved community maps and giving them away:
| Map | Status |
|---|---|
| Ragnarok Ascended | ✅ Shipped free (April 2025) — with the free Bison creature |
| Valguero Ascended | ✅ Shipped free (August 2025) — with a community-voted free creature |
| The Center | 🚧 Expected (community maps port in batches) |
| Crystal Isles | 🚧 Expected later |
| Lost Island / Fjordur | 🚧 Expected later |
Already out — Ragnarok Ascended shipped free in April 2025. If you can't find it, make sure your game is updated and check "Non-Official Server" / map selection — it's included in the base game now.
Premium Maps & DLC
- Bob's Tall Tales — the premium story-DLC campaign content (not a map, but the main paid content line).
- Fantastic Tames — monthly premium creatures (paid, ~$5-10 each or in bundles).
- Dragontopia (roadmap) — new premium dragon-themed map.
- Atlantis (roadmap) — new map tied to the ocean expansion.
Future Maps (2026-2027 Roadmap)
- Genesis Ascended (story maps Part 1+2)
- Dragontopia (premium)
- Atlantis (premium/ocean)
- More community remasters — Wildcard's plan is to eventually bring every popular ASE map to ASA.
Map Progression & Where to Start
- New players: Start on The Island (the tutorial-friendly story start) or Ragnarok (more resources, more fun, still free).
- Story order: The Island → Scorched Earth → Aberration → Extinction → Genesis (matches the ARK story timeline).
- PvP meta: Ragnarok and Aberration are PvP favorites (dense resources, strong base spots).
Each ASA map is 10-50+ GB on top of the 200GB base install. If you're on a capped connection, install only the maps you play (Steam lets you select DLC/maps to download).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many maps are in ARK Survival Ascended?
Around 8-10 playable in 2026 (4 story maps + Ragnarok + Valguero + premium/other remasters), with more confirmed through 2027.
What maps are free in ASA?
All story maps (The Island, Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction) come with the base game, and the remastered community maps — Ragnarok (April 2025) and Valguero (August 2025) — shipped free. Bob's Tall Tales and Fantastic Tames are the paid lines.
When does Ragnarok come out in ASA?
It already shipped — April 2025, free, alongside the Bison creature.
What is the map order in ARK Survival Ascended?
Story order: The Island → Scorched Earth → Aberration → Extinction → Genesis. Or just start on Ragnarok if you want the richest free experience.
Are all ARK maps in ASA?
Not yet — the port is ongoing. Genesis, The Center, Crystal Isles, Lost Island, and Fjordur are expected but not all shipped as of August 2026.
Which map should a new player choose?
The Island for the classic story start, or Ragnarok for the best free all-rounder map.