Unexpected Dino Boom: Navigating Aberration Ascended’s Overpopulation Bug

Aberration Ascended, the latest expansion of Ark: Survival Ascended, faces a bug causing excessive Paraceratherium populations in typically safe zones, leading to unexpected gameplay challenges. Despite this, the expansion has been well-received, drawing back former players with its unique setting. Players can manage the overpopulation through hunting or using Dino Wipes while awaiting a fix from Studio Wildcard.
SummaryIn the latest expansion of Ark: Survival Ascended, titled Aberration Ascended, players are experiencing an unexpected bug that leads to overpopulation of certain creatures, particularly Paraceratherium, in areas that are usually “safe” zones. This glitch has resulted in an unusual abundance of these generally peaceful dinosaurs, as well as frogs and snakes, overwhelming certain map areas. Players have shared their experiences on Reddit, noting that hunting these creatures can reduce their numbers, and a Dino Wipe using console commands or mods can reset the spawn rates. Despite this glitch, Aberration Ascended has been a successful expansion, attracting returning players and offering a unique, nostalgic experience. Studio Wildcard is expected to address these issues in future updates.

Unexpected Overpopulation in Ark: Survival Ascended

Ark: Survival Ascended players are currently immersed in the new expansion, Aberration Ascended. However, a peculiar bug is leading to unexpected overpopulation issues in the game. This latest addition to the popular survival series introduces a unique setting, shifting the gameplay to vast underground caves and tunnels. While this subterranean environment offers an array of fascinating elements for players to explore, an unforeseen surge in the number of Paraceratherium—a massive, usually placid dinosaur—has taken many by surprise. These creatures are appearing even in areas traditionally marked as “safe” zones.

A Curious Case of Paracer Overpopulation

A Reddit user by the name of castDragon3 recently shared their bewilderment in a short video clip. The footage captures them navigating a cavern teeming with an astonishing number of Paracers. These generally peaceful dinosaurs populate every level of the cave, providing a veritable bounty of meat for players to collect. Yet, it’s undeniably peculiar to witness such a dense population in a confined space. Another Reddit user, Baron_Cartek, reported experiencing a similar surge around Fertile Lake, and jharris2017 noted excessive spawning in their single-player session.

What’s Behind the Population Surge?

Culling for Conservation

The excessive number of Paracers in Aberration Ascended is widely believed to be a glitch, particularly since the Survival Evolved version of the map did not exhibit such prolific spawning. Interestingly, the issue is not limited to Paraceratherium alone; players have reported seeing swarms of frogs and snakes, sometimes numbering over 30 on screen simultaneously. Fortunately, this bug appears to be temporary, as hunting the creatures seems to stabilize the spawn rates and prevent future spikes.

Ark: Survival Ascended Aberration: Where Should You Spawn In First?

Another effective method to address the spawn bug is to perform a Dino Wipe. This can be achieved using console commands or mods that automate the process, swiftly eliminating wild dinosaurs and allowing players to rebalance their game with a more manageable number of creatures. Despite the inconvenience, having an abundance of Paraceratherium could be advantageous for farming specific resources, so players might find it beneficial to tolerate the glitch for a while.

A Successful Expansion Despite Glitches

Aberration Ascended has been a resounding success for Ark: Survival Ascended, rekindling interest among players who had previously drifted away from the game. Although the population glitches present a temporary challenge—one that Studio Wildcard is likely to address in the coming months—the expansion provides a unique yet nostalgic experience, particularly for those fond of Paracers.

Source: castDragon3/Reddit, Baron_Cartek/Reddit, jharris2017/Reddit

Ark: Survival Ascended

    Franchise
    ARK
    Platform(s)
    PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
    Released
    October 26, 2023
    Developer(s)
    Studio Wildcard
    Publisher(s)
    Studio Wildcard