'Ark: Survival Evolved' news: 'Aberration' DLC's launch date revealed

A lush ecosystem flourishes amidst the dereliction of the "Aberration" in "Ark: Survival Evolved." Steam website

New threats and dangers abound in "Ark: Survival Evolved," as developer and publisher Studio Wildcard releases a new trailer and information about the game's next expansion, named "Aberration."

After exiting its early access phase and officially being tagged as a complete game, "Ark: Survival Evolved" is set to have its second expansion pack released on Dec. 12. Studio Wildcard initially intended for the expansion to be released in October but had to delay for unknown reasons. Due to this, a trailer was released back in September showcasing what the expansion will entail.

The expansion, as it appears in the trailer, seems to primarily focus on the introduction of new subterranean or cavern areas for the game. Players wake up in an "Aberration," which is an abandoned and malfunctioning "Ark" with a complex underground ecosystem where survivors are pitted against exotic new challenges never before seen in the main game. These exotic dangers are extreme radioactive sunlight and environmental hazards along with news and incredible creatures in the depths of the new "Ark."

To survive the new enemies, players are then given new tools and capabilities at their disposal ranging from ziplines, wingsuits, and climbing gear to cave dwellings, charge-batteries, and as most people have guessed, a plethora of spelunking tools.

New creatures, enemies, and hostiles are also introduced and will surely test the resolve and craft of the players. Players are in for a ride as one of the game's new creatures, the Rock Drake, is a highly mobile flying creature with the stealth capabilities of a Chameleon which players can mount. As for the enemies, the new horrors are aptly called "Nameless," element-infused humanoid creatures which have grown to hate luminous areas and sunlight.

As for crafting, one of the most crucial features of the game, players will get to create a wide range of craftable items, 50 to be exact, according to Eurogamer. These items include defensive equipment like Hazmat suits and even projectile weapons like rail guns.

The "Aberration" expansion for "Ark: Survival Evolved" is due on Dec. 12 and will be available for free for "Season Pass" owners. It can also be bought for $19.99 as a standalone expansion available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.

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