The Ark Survival Ascended update 1.097.014 was released on November 8, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. This hotfix primarily addresses stability issues and performance regressions introduced during the recent migration to Unreal Engine 5.8, specifically targeting memory management on consoles and crashes related to the Enigmasaur creature.
Performance and Stability Improvements
Following the transition to Unreal Engine 5.8, players on console platforms reported deteriorating performance over time. This update addresses a significant memory leak that caused the game to progressively slow down or crash during extended sessions on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Additionally, players exploring the deep-sea regions of The Island should see improved frame rates and reduced stuttering, as the Abyssal Trenches have received specific optimization passes.
For players using the new Enigmasaur, Studio Wildcard has resolved a client-side crash. This error occurred when the creature attempted to shapeshift during periods of high server latency, which previously caused the game to close unexpectedly for the player performing the transformation.
Patch Notes Explained
Creatures and Combat
- Enigmasaur Transformation: Fixed a client-side crash triggered by the Enigmasaur changing forms. This fix ensures that even if the server is lagging, the player’s client will no longer crash when the shapeshifting animation is triggered.
- Giganotosaurus ‘Wounded Fury’: Corrected the application of the “Wounded Fury” status effect. This bug previously prevented the redesigned Giganotosaurus from entering its intended enraged state during Apex Challenge taming sessions, which disrupted the specific taming mechanics for this redesign.
Systems and Performance
- Unreal Engine 5.8 Memory Leak: Resolved a console-specific issue where system memory was not being cleared correctly. This prevents the “out of memory” crashes that occurred after several hours of continuous play on PS5 and Xbox.
- Abyssal Trenches Optimization: Adjusted asset loading and rendering in the deep-sea trenches. Players will notice a more consistent frame rate when navigating these high-density underwater environments.
User Interface (UI)
- Shapeshifting HUD: Fixed a bug where tooltips would overlap on the shapeshifting interface. This ensures that ability descriptions and cooldowns remain legible while using creatures with multiple forms.
Players can find more technical details regarding the engine migration on the official Steam News page. This update is mandatory for official server connectivity across all supported platforms.
