Digital Foundry: Hands-on with Ark: Survival Evolved on Xbox One

DF:
Technologically speaking, there is a long, long way to go before this game reaches the kind of standard we expect from a major release. From a resolution perspective, we're looking at a game currently featuring a sub-720p resolution (1088x612 or somewhere in the region), which is a first for the current console generation and obviously something that needs to be improved. High contrast scenes suffer the most, but when switching to locations set in lower light conditions, the presentation does appear slightly smoother. Regardless, it's not an ideal situation, with a lot of distracting pixel-crawl attributable primarily to the lack of resolution.

[DragonDDark]

10 seconds in... 14 fps.. http://vignette1.wikia.noco...

[Neonridr]

early access title, so there is still time and hope that the devs can get things sorted out.

And it looked like that 14fps was a frozen section of the game, notice that everything completely stopped for a second before it jumped back up to the 40's again.

Looks like the devs need to at least ensure 30fps however, anything below that is just unacceptable.

[Utalkin2me]

/\
Also if you watch the whole thing. You can see in the swamp area it averaging in the teens. Which IMO is unplayable.

[Wallstreet37]

Seriously like 90% of games we have played in beta or early access form with their issues have made it into their final retail version. That narrative that most games get fixed coming out of beta is just false nowadays. We are lucky if even 5% coming out of beta get optimized better.

Not to mention according to Pc players that version is crap too.

[user9950279]

Actually Elite Dangerous on X1 was extremely choppy in beta, and has been massively improved. My Early access experiences are limited to pretty well just that.

[Wallstreet37]

Martinstrings....

One game you mention performing slightly better after early access doesnt say much compared to the many that dont get improved from beta or early access. Your one game falls into the 10% that do get improved hence my comment "90% of games we have played in beta or early access form with their issues have made it into their final retail version" 90% being key term.

Good example was "Assassin Creed Unity" was early access on steam and other forms and still ended up being a bug fest. Theres more than just Assn Creed by the way. This isnt a slight at Xbone or Xbone early access, its just a criticism as most these developers not releasing games up to par so lets put the defense shields down.

[Neonridr]

@Utalkin2me - oh absolutely. I was merely referring to the OP comment about the 10 second mark. The game literally is freezing for a second at parts, so the framerate plummeting isn't really a fair assessment (for those parts).

But that swamp part, ouch indeed.

[dantesparda]

This game looks DISGUSTING, its so low res and ugly, objects fade in and out in a very cheap dithered way, the animations are supbar, everything is very low on polygons. The framerate is terrible as the video shows. This would be a very ugly game on a last gen system. Shame too, as it looked so good in the advertisements. Defnitely caught my interest, then I downloaded on the X1, and DAMN!

[Gazondaily]

Even the PC version suffers a lot so this is not surprising. It does run quite badly from what I played.

Loads of people are loving the game though.

[AndrewLB]

I've been playing the PC version since late October and absolutely love it. Even so, i'll be the first to admit there are some serious performance issues and highly annoying bugs. The developers have been adding content at an incredible rate which is great for established players like myself, but they haven't given performance and bug fixing the time it really is beginning to require. Up until early December, the game was running quite well for me but after they added "seek free packages" and did a server migration and storage upgrade, things went downhill from there.
Out of all the current issues the ones that really MUST be fixed soon are the server-side save which happens every 15 minutes or so and literally lags the game for 10-15 seconds. There is no excuse for this and it's likely caused by an overly complex timer system on most objects in the game as well as running too many instances on each server (i've heard 6-8 Arks per server).
The other is referred to as the "harvesting bug" and typically occurs when a high number of users are on the server. It's basically a problem where your metal, wood, or stone harvesting dino wont actually gather resources even though you're attacking rocks/trees. This is likely also due to overloaded servers since it doesn't seem to be seeing the dino you're riding as active in that area. It can sometimes be fixed by moving that dino from the area for a few minutes and then returning.
I've been told by many players that these two server related problems are not being experienced in the Xbone version, and if that's the case then it's clearly due to their version being hosted on dedicated Microsoft servers which are much better than the ones the developers are using.
As for framerates, I'm running an i5-4670k @ 4.4ghz and a GTX 780ti @ 1149mhz and i can run 1080p with every setting on high, with post processing, anti-aliasing, and view distance on Epic, and maintain 35-50fps. Turning textures up to Epic drops it down to 25-40fps. If you're not running the PC version on an SSD, you're going to have much worse performance due to poor streaming optimization.

The PC graphics are quite nice even though there are some issues with TrueSky as well as reflections. The game has outstanding subsurface light scattering effects during early and later hours of the day. Here is a screenshot i took of one of my Argentavis the other day. I included EVGA Precision's OSD to show the FPS because i know people with PCs that have problems that the framerates i'm getting are not possible.

http://i.imgur.com/DQNMhfp....

[Bdub2000]

I played the beta and really can't get in to it. The graphics are poor, way too choppy, so many frame drops. And the game explains nothing, but not like "oh you gotta figure it out" and it's kinda fun. It's more like, this is boring. Expect to die, a lot. And then sit at a loading screen to start over. A lot.

Just not my kind of game I suppose.

[tuglu_pati]

I don't know where to begin, 1088x612 :O

That's unacceptable.

[ASSASSYN]

I just love how people complain about the performance of an ALPHA! And yes it is absolutely and alpha. Early access is always alpha not beta.

Delusional.

[Genuine-User]

I saw it drop to 8fps. And the game is lower than 720p :-|

What the fudge devs?

I know it's an early access preview but damn this game is a technical mess right now.

[DragonDDark]

http://i.imgur.com/HJpKcP3.... didn't work i guess.

[Christopher]

Just poor programming all together. They should have used something like Speed Tree or the like. It's obvious that foliage is a primary cause of increased issues in framerate.

[ritchi45]

Early access. Nuff said

[Lulz_Boat]

You really think the game will change a lot in the final version on XBONE?? LOL.

[frankdrebin72]

Yes..
Why is it deemed acceptable to review games based on early access, betas, alpha,...
For clicks, for the fanatical fanboys of other consoles to puff out their chest and strut their stuff like a peacock on heat.
Sad

[ritchi45]

I don't honestly care, just as long as the dev irons out the bugs and boosts performance ready for the PS4 version.

[Utalkin2me]

@ritchi45

Dont count on it. Heck the Xbox1 averaging in the teens in the swamp area YIKES. Would give me a headache playing it like that.

[IIFloodyII]

@Frank

Because they charge money for it. Why is it acceptable to charge someone to beta test your game, is a better question.

[frankdrebin72]

@Floody
No one is going and paying for this game unaware it's a work in progress.
At the end of the day if you or I wish to spend our money on this then it is OUR choice.
The fact still remains that the usual suspects all crawl out from beneath the stones and declare crap on any gameplay footage review of a beta,alphaor work in progress as this is.
So maybe the important questions are..
Why has digital foundry decided to run a review on an unfinished game?
Why do certain gamers think that this is the finished version of the game?

After all it's no different than film critics rating and reviewing a film based on a trailer.
An art critic reviewing an unfinished price of art.
Too much mouthing off by people in the shadows who haven't the wit to stop their own egos writing crap just for clicks,attention and notoriety .

This practice is damaging developers, and the gaming media.

I accept reviews on finished games. But unfinished ones no.

After all Sonys very own Driveclub was released unfinished, missing features was it not?
Yet today after many months work , after people paid to play a completed game , it has now ironed out and sorted the lack of content albeit slightly.
So to return to your own question , Ark is released as work in progress, we know it we decide if we buy it.
Driveclub was released bare bones and issues, people bought it, thinking it was a complete finished game.

The issue is with the ever click bait thirsty for dirt media sites

[AndrewLB]

Yes. Because if you actually played the game you'd understand that it's constantly changing with content being added multiple times per week.

Check out how much has changed in the game since Early Access began in June. This link is the patch notes showing what they've been doing: http://steamcommunity.com/a...

[lvl_headed_gmr]

While I'm playing it now and enjoying it very much...I only paid $30 for it and will be getting all the updates and bug fixes. By the time it's on PS4 there shouldn't too many bugs....it will also be $60.

LOL

[Wallstreet37]

nuff said....
You guys kill me with the narrative that games are running poorly due to it being a beta or early access.....

Seriously like 90% of games we have played in beta or early access form with their issues have made it into their final retail version. That narrative that most games get fixed coming out of beta is just false nowadays. We are lucky if even 5% coming out of beta get optimized better.

[AndrewLB]

This is one of the few early access games that truly is a work in progress. They're constantly adding content to the game and since I began playing the PC version in late October... its now a completely different game. Most early access games don't see substantial changes, but with Ark we see substantial changes (both for good and bad) just about every week. I don't see how this game will be ready for June/July though. It still needs a lot of work.

[Wallstreet37]

Andrewlb....

I loveeee Dinosaur games and i hope they do fix the severe issues in time for release but i find it unlikely.

Hope we get a new Turok too.

[IIFloodyII]

@ Frank

I have no problem with them testing unfinished builds of games, sure in a few days/weeks/months it's pointless, but it can point a dev in the right direction for what needs work.

I do have a problem with devs and consumers deflecting any criticism to an early access game, with "it's not finished yet, so don't criticize it", especially when way too many early access games just release unfinished anyway.
Should they take into account it's not finished? Definitely, but should that give it an automatic free pass? No, as all that would do is give us an Inferior product when it releases again.

[Liqu1d]

@martinstrings ARK is scheduled to release June 2016 on PC, PS4, XB1. It is not a timed exclusive so stop lying to defend your choice of plastic.

https://www.vg247.com/2016/...

[IIFloodyII]

@martin

Except no it isn't, it's they don't deserve a free pass, because they are in early access, criticizing or defending it is optional. Nice try though.

[frankdrebin72]

@floody

It seems to be only an issue with those who do not understand it's a work in progress, something the devs have reiterated time and time again.

As for voicing criticism and not allowing a "free pass"....
Constructive criticism is good.
Down right uneducated criticism is another.
To criticise about an unfinished game, a work in progress and base all "your" assumptions of that game on the gameplay is foolish and foolhardy.

It's a work in progress.
Basing ones criticisms on unfinished work defies logic.
To do a damned review of the game is just plan stupid, aimed at who??
It would seem that some sites relish and I for one am very disappointed a site like digital foundry has to stoop so low.
Yet is this not the norm in media now?
Whipping up the fan boys till they are frothing at the mouth?

It's a game.
It's work in progress.
Purchasers know that.
So what really is the issue?
Media sites out for clicks.

[user9950279]

A "free pass".... lol. Wtf does that even mean? You feel obligated to pile on this early access game? Speaks volumes about the type of person you are.

[IIFloodyII]

@Frank

In what way is DF analysis (not a review) "uneducated criticism"? Is there not literally minutes of footage backing everything they say up?
If you charge to access, you are open to criticism, DF aren't giving it a score, or saying you shouldn't buy it, they are just giving people information on the state of the game, and leaving the decision up to them, if they should pay to access it.

Hopefully they keep up with any updates, and keep us informed on the state of the beta.

@martin

This and every other early access game that releases and stays in an almost unplayable state for months, they've had since when? Early October to improve this on PC, and barely have, I wouldn't be surprised if like most of the games that release in early access and blow up, making the poor little devs millions, it'll be dump out still unfinished.

Anyways, I'm tired of arguing this, enjoy paying for something companies used to pay people to do.

[user9950279]

I have already very much enjoyed it, thank you so much for your good will floody! I knew you were actually just a good positive guy who wanted nothing more than for me to enjoy this game underneath all the malice and poor sportsmanship that you have demonstrated. We are bound to be good friends when all is said and done.

[Utalkin2me]

Been in early access for almost 9 months now. Official release right around the corner. Have a long ways to go still.

[Immorals]

Not been on Xbox preview that long

[Utalkin2me]

Did anybody say anything about Xbox preview?

[Immorals]

Well,considering this is an article about the Xbox version..

[MRMagoo123]

I think the point utalking is trying to make is it's still running badly on pc and it's been there for almost 9 months what are they going to be able to fix with the xbone version in way less time.

[Excited2play]

That's too bad. When the game was first announced i was really excited, i mean who doesn't want to explore lush green environments and interact with awesome looking dinosaurs?

But they indeed have to buckle down and get the performance sorted before i would even think about purchasing the game.

[nowitzki2004]

Its perfectly fine on PC.

[IIFloodyII]

It definitely isn't "perfectly fine", with high end PCs struggling to hit a consistent 30+ FPS on high settings.

http://abload.de/img/arkben...

[nowitzki2004]

I got a 970 and it never goes below 45fps... Stays above 50fps easily.

[Wallstreet37]

Funny you said that as on PC forums thats the first point they make lol that it runs like &ss on PC too. Everyone is complaining on neogaf too.

[AndrewLB]

As someone who has played it on PC since october, what you say is absolute bull****. My PC runs 1080p @ High/Epic settings @ 35-50fps but there are major server side save pause/lag issues, hitching, and the "harvesting bug" which they need to fix NOW.

Don't get me wrong, i still really like the game. It just has a lot that needs improvement.

[spence52490]

90% of the time my game doesn't drop below 60fps. I run it with a 970 and have the optimized launch setting enabled. Maybe play it and find out for your self?

[OpenGL]

Yikes, 1088x612 is unacceptable on current gen hardware. I have heard people claim that Ark is a triumph in terms of optimization because it has high requirements on PC, well this is why. Its not even 720p.

[user9950279]

I havent watched the video yet, but there are obviously performance issues. However, the game looks great and is a ton of fun to play. Completely unique console experience unlike anything I've ever played, feels very fresh and fun to me. For that, I'll stomach some choppyness. Beggars cant be choosers.

I have put 20-30 hours into it and at no point did it seem unplayable to me. Rubberbanding is the worst issue I've encountered, and thats more to do with netcode than hardware.

[christocolus]

I think I'll try it out for myself. I hear its quite fun and very addictive and besides its all I see people playing on xbox live now adays.

[deanparadise]

Performance issues aside (which personally for me are few and far between), the game is amazing already. They have until June to iron things out, that's a reasonable amount of time to get things smoothed out.

Honestly, in addition to Ark, I got Halo 5, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Star Wars Battlefront over the past couple months, and all me and my buddies want to play is Ark. It's that addicting.

[Dinkis]

Yea check it out. IV been playing it on on X1 since it was available and very fun indeed

[NotAFanboyyy]

Wow DF is really doing all it can to discredit an early access game. Why not wait until the final build is released? Obviously there will be problems for an early access game. But that is too logical in an age where everything published needs to stoke the fanboy war.

[Dinkis]

I would understand if this game was finished and they did a review on but what's the point of this? We know what we are getting ourselves into when we bought the preview. It is up to ppl to give feed back to the development team if they choose.
The game still has a ways to go and even with all the issues it has right now I for one am having lots of fun playing. DF doing a review on a game that a in alpha or beta stage is pathetic.

[IrishSt0ner]

I have this game on two PCs (GTX770 & GTX970) both with i7-4790s, and on Xbox One.

I can say with experience Xbox users are getting a much better run at 'early access', the game is MUCH more stable. Yes sub-hd isnt great, but if you had to compare that to the graphics which many PC users are dealing with you'd feel very happy.

For a cheap console the game gives much better PERFORMANCE for the COST.

[DLConspiracy]

When the game launched on PC. My Gtx 770 was pulling the same numbers on the console just about with severe rubber banding and frame drops. I never thought they would even be able to pull off this game on consoles to begin with. IMO they have done a great job. Better than I ever thought it would be. Especially with a real time open world physics game that never stops and is always online. Kind of a first. Is there any other game to compare it to online? Everquest? Idk if that even counts.

Console gamers are not used to Early Access idea at all. No offense to console gamers but they are not used to hiccups at all as everything is usually worked out for them when released. Which in a lot of ways ARK is essentially still an alpha build. Especially when there are weekly updates that help some things whIle hurt performance. It's a back and forth see saw.

[Dark_Crow]

This game is poorly optimized everywhere

[MCTJim]

Personally, This game is a lot of fun, yes, its poorly optimized and its gotten better with each update, but its quite a bit off of release date and in its current config, I would say it SHOULD be pushed back a little further.

[Interinactive]

Heh.

"Buh-buh-but It's early access!"

Guess what? ARMA 3 was in early access at one point. How much did that improve frame rates upon release? People are quick to defend it because it's marked 'early access', but I can tell you (as someone who buys more early access games than retail games these days), it means fuck-all. Especially when performance hasn't changed AT ALL in the 6 months I've had it on my GTX980SLI rig.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for this to improve significantly.

[Angel911]

Go play Elite Dangerous on Xbox now..It's night and day compared to early access version in performance.

[Interinactive]

I didn't suggest that all early access titles run poorly when they're finished.

People who claim this game runs like crap are stating a fact. People bleating the old "it's early access!" again and again are stating what we already know, and it carries no assurance that things will get any better. You only need to look at the history of early access games to see how many games, like this one, never really improve. I'm betting it won't, based on a few things:

1. They're spreading themselves too thin as it's actively being worked on across multiple platforms

2. It's expected to release 6 months from now, when in the last 7 months performance hasn't improved at all on high end or low end machines

3. Judging by what I could find on the developers, neither of them are particularly seasoned

4. It's running UE4. How many games running UE4 with similar amounts of detail and scope are very optimised? Or games running UE4 that are slightly less comparable in general? Again, they predict that the finished version of the game is 6 months away.

I played Elite during the early phase, I backed it on Kickstarter. At no point did it run anywhere near as badly as Ark still does across multiple platforms. I also assume that it's easier to optimise a game set in space than it is a game set in a heavily populated environment with loads of detail.

But... keep the hope alive :)

[Angel911]

DF is hell bent of destroying X1 this gen...I mean they hate Xbox so much that are using build of an unfinished early access game to criticize Xbox one now...Game was super choppy even on PC but they decided to target XO for some reason.

Why not test of Elite Dangerous and see how improved it is compared to early access build.

Atleast let final version come out and gives devs chance to polish the game..

[WellyUK]

Sorry but Early Access means absolutely nothing. You release a game in any form it's open to criticism, don't want criticism don't release the game at all. They are hardly trying to destroy the xbox one... they are showing people that games just don't run as well on it as other platforms, thats just a fact.

[ibrake4naps]

I hope they can pull this off for psvr :-/

[GamerzElite]

Why people bashing on DF, ARK have serious issue with FPS, rubber banding and Server Lag, I spent over 569 hour on game and still counting [on PC], but this game is good to ignore those issue. This is not a full release so we just hoping dev better fix all the issue before release.

[English is not my native language]

[supergrobi1]

It´s not really performant on a good PC, if you played it on the PC, you know the XBox One is doing a good job!

[Angel911]

DF are testing a unfinished build of the game that's why..Devs clearly said Early access build will have problems nd performance issues and still DF are after XO version of Ark

You cannot blame devs here coz they clearly told you that game will have problem.. If final product continue suffer same problems then you have full right to complain after purchasing the game.

[WellyUK]

People saying it's Early Access... Lol PC players know what that means, your just going to have 3 years of it being Early access and no improvements because thats how early access works sadly.

[windblowsagain]

I'm not a big fan of the xbox hardware.

But I don't just think this is an xbox problem.

The graphics are poor, textures are poor, lighting is ok.

The beach area, there is hardly anything there and the frame rate is all over the place.

Not only does the fps drop to teens, but the tearing throughout the entire game is disgusting. Not to mention the pauses ft.

I hope for xbox players is that this gets fixed asap.

[DLConspiracy]

It's not just an xbox problem but that won't stop people from jumping all over it in the comment section. People who game on expensive rigs can't run it well. Why would they think it could run better on less hardware? It would be the same for any console not just the xb1.

[s45gr32]

Is a console not a powerful PC what do you expect.