Getting all the expansions for Ark Survival Evolved can feel confusing because the game has several standalone maps, season passes, and bundled editions released over many years. If you want to experience every story arc, tame new creatures, and explore biomes ranging from active volcanoes to futuristic sci-fi colonies, you need to know exactly how the DLC system works across different platforms.
Every expansion pack in Ark expands the core survival loop by adding unique story elements, boss fights, engrams, and tamable creatures. Whether you are playing on PC via Steam or Epic Games, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, understanding your purchasing options saves you money and prevents download errors.
Understanding the Ark Expansion Ecosystem
Ark Survival Evolved launched as a base game centered around The Island, a mysterious prehistoric sandbox. Over time, developer Studio Wildcard released major expansions that advanced a continuous science-fiction storyline. These expansions fall into two distinct categories: story-driven map packs and community-made conversion maps that became official.
The core story arc follows this chronological order:
- The Island (Base Game)
- Scorched Earth
- Aberration
- Extinction
- Genesis: Part 1
- Genesis: Part 2
Alongside these story expansions, Wildcard integrated several massive community maps into the official game for free. These include Ragnarok, The Center, Valguero, Crystal Isles, Lost Island, and Fjordur. While you don't need to buy these community maps, you still need to download them through your platform's store as add-ons.
Purchasing Options: Season Passes vs. Bundles
When you want to acquire all paid content, buying individual expansions usually costs more than purchasing curated bundles. Digital storefronts offer a few primary package types depending on your system.
The Explorer's Edition and Ultimate Survivor Edition
If you are starting fresh, look for bundled editions. The Ark: Ultimate Survivor Edition includes the base game along with Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, and both parts of the Genesis Season Pass. This bundle is typically the most cost-effective way to secure everything in one transaction.
Season Passes
If you already own the base game, purchasing season passes is the standard route.
- Season Pass: Covers Scorched Earth, Aberration, and Extinction.
- Genesis Season Pass: Covers Genesis Part 1 and Genesis Part 2.
Always check your platform's store sales. Ark expansions go on sale frequently across Steam, PlayStation Network, and Xbox Marketplace, often dropping by up to seventy percent. You can check official store listings on the Steam Store Page or the PlayStation Store to monitor current pricing.
Platform-Specific Installation Steps
Downloading and installing your content varies slightly depending on where you play.
Steam (PC)
- Open your Steam Library and select Ark Survival Evolved.
- Scroll down on the game's library page to the DLC section on the right side.
- Click Manage My DLC to see a checklist of all owned expansions.
- Ensure the boxes next to each expansion are checked. Steam will automatically queue the downloads.
Epic Games Store
The Epic Games version handles add-ons directly through the store page or your library details. Navigate to the game page in your library, click the three dots, select Manage Add-Ons, and toggle the installation switches for each map.
PlayStation and Xbox Consoles
Console stores require you to download individual map files even if you buy a season pass or bundle.
- Go to the game hub on your console dashboard.
- Navigate to the store or manage game add-ons section.
- Select each unclaimed DLC pack and choose Download. If you buy an all-in-one bundle, you may need to manually click download on each individual map component.
Cross-Expansion Transfers and Character Progression
One of Ark's defining features is the ability to transfer your survivor, items, and tamed creatures across different maps. You aren't locked to one world.
To transfer between expansions:
- Take your character, items, and creatures to any Obelisk structure, Supply Crate, or Mission Terminal in the game world.
- Access the inventory menu and select Upload Survivor or Upload Dino.
- Exit to the main menu, load into your destination expansion map, and select Download Survivor at the spawn screen.
Keep in mind that official servers and private servers have different rules regarding downloads. Some unofficial clusters disable item or creature transfers to keep gameplay balanced for new players. Always check the server rules before uploading valuable gear.
Managing Storage Space
Ark is notorious for its massive file size. Installing the base game along with every official expansion can easily exceed three hundred gigabytes of storage on your hard drive.
If you're running low on space, you don't need to install every map at once. You can uninstall maps you aren't currently playing without losing your saved data on cloud servers or single-player save files, provided you don't delete your local save folders if playing offline. For PC players using Steam, you can uncheck specific DLC boxes in the game properties menu to uninstall individual map files and reclaim disk space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy expansions to play on community maps?
No. Free official maps like Fjordur, Ragnarok, and Lost Island require zero purchases. You only need to download the free DLC file from your platform store to access them.
Can I play on a DLC map if my friend hosts it, even if I don't own it?
Generally, no. Most platforms require ownership and installation of the specific expansion files to connect to servers running those maps, as the game client needs the specific asset files loaded.
What happens to my character if I uninstall an expansion?
If your character is currently standing on a map you uninstall, you won't be able to load that game world. Always upload your survivor to an obelisk and move back to the base game map before uninstalling an expansion.
Are DLC engrams permanently unlocked across all maps?
Engrams learned on specific expansions (like Tek items from Extinction or specific saddles from Aberration) can be crafted on other maps as long as you meet the level requirements and own the respective expansion license.
