In ARK: Survival Evolved , the server capacity will practically double at release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One on August 8th. This will cost a lot. The old servers are reportedly suffering from dupe problems, but they do not intend to wipe them, instead opting to continue financing them.
To wipe or not to wipe – that is the question
ARK continues to astonish with spectacular media work and spontaneous direction changes.
In 2016, players were assured that there would be no server wipe at the release of ARK: Survival Evolved. They respect the time players have invested in the game. Players can, therefore, keep everything from Early Access when ARK transitions to release.
Items were duped on old servers – that’s why they wanted to wipe them
But now, as the release approaches, ARK has changed its mind and wants to wipe the servers to get rid of “duped” items. In recent months, there have been issues with a dupe exploit.
The dupe exploit arose because the developers were so focused on the release that they became inattentive in other areas. The exploit has been hidden for so long that it has caused irreversible damage.
These dupe bugs had a “very, very negative impact on PvP,” Stieglitz told Kotaku. Some clans have apparently gained huge advantages.
The only solution they saw was a complete wipe of the servers. All other options were deemed insufficient.
A message was sent to the press stating somewhat along the lines of: “We will give you an interview before launch where we announce that we will wipe all servers at launch,” which is supposed to have been in messages that reached outlets like Kotaku. The big server wipe for ARK was planned for August 7th.
Nevertheless, they will not be wiped
However, the complete server wipe came to nothing. They have decided to change their minds again.
When the ARK developers actually arrived for the press event, it was then said: “We took one more intensive look and no, there will be no wipe after all.”
100,000 US dollars more a month for new servers
The solution now will be to keep the old servers running as “legacy servers,” while planning to set up about the same amount of new servers. These new servers are also to be “dupe-safe” and will receive a new security system – presumably to protect against DDoS attacks.
In an interview with PC Gamer, the ARK lead developer mentions that about 200,000 US dollars will be spent per month. 100,000 US dollars for the old servers with dupe problems, and 100,000 US dollars for the new ones.
Players will have the choice of whether to play on “clean, new servers” or “old ones with these dupe problems.”
New players at launch should stay away from “legacy servers.”
Stieglitz seems to assume that with the retail launch on August 8th, ARK can double its player base and wants to give the new players the opportunity to play on fresh servers.
More on the story:
ARK: Ragnarok PS4/Xbox finally postponed, server wipe prevented
