ARK: Ultimate Mobile Edition's Impressive Debut: 3 Million Downloads in Three Weeks
ARK: Ultimate Mobile Edition, the free-to-play mobile spin-off of the popular ARK: Survival Evolved franchise, has achieved remarkable success, surpassing three million downloads within its first three weeks of release (December 18, 2024). This significantly outperforms the original mobile port's 2018 launch, demonstrating a substantial increase in player engagement.
Despite receiving mixed reviews upon launch, the game's popularity continues to surge on both iOS and Android platforms. Currently, it holds a respectable position in the adventure game charts of both app stores, ranking 24th on iOS and 9th among top-grossing adventure games on Android. User ratings reflect this mixed reception, with a 3.9/5 rating on the App Store (412 ratings) and a 3.6/5 rating on the Play Store (over 52.5K user scores).
Developer Grove Street Games, known for its work on the improved Nintendo Switch port of ARK: Survival Evolved (2022), is actively expanding the mobile game's content. Future updates will include new maps such as Ragnarok, Extinction, Genesis Part 1, and Genesis Part 2, promising a continuously evolving dinosaur-infested world for players to explore.
Expanding Availability and Future Outlook
Following its successful launch on iOS and Android, ARK: Ultimate Mobile Edition is slated for release on the Epic Games Store in 2025, broadening its accessibility to a wider player base. While the mobile title thrives, the future of the broader ARK franchise remains intriguing. Studio Wildcard recently unveiled a roadmap for ARK: Survival Ascended, and anticipation remains high for updates on ARK 2, which unfortunately missed its projected 2024 release date. The continued success of ARK: Ultimate Mobile Edition, however, points to a bright future for the franchise's mobile presence.
