LOS ANGELES – JULY 6, 2026 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, unveiled a new wave of details for their upcoming game Solo Leveling: KARMA during Anime Expo 2026, including an expanded look at the game’s original storyline, the debut of the all-new Corrupted Hunters, a brand-new trailer and key art, and the surprise casting of acclaimed actor Troy Baker as the Monarch of Destruction.

The panel titled “Solo Leveling: KARMA – Expanding Universe” took place on July 4th at the JW Marriott Diamond Ballroom in Los Angeles, where Aleks Le, the English voice of protagonist Sung Jinwoo, joined members of the development team to introduce fans to the game’s expanded universe.

During the presentation, Netmarble revealed additional details about Solo Leveling: KARMA‘s original storyline, which explores the untold 27-year war between Jinwoo and the Monarchs. Following the events of the original series, Jinwoo enters the Dimensional Gap after using the Cup of Reincarnation, embarking on a prolonged conflict against the Monarchs that has never been depicted before.

Fans also received their first look at the Mutated Hunters, who are the original enemies created by the Monarchs to eliminate Sung Jinwoo. Gameplay footage showcased Jinwoo battling these formidable foes while teasing the emotional conflict that arises as familiar faces return as enemies.

Created exclusively for Anime Expo 2026, brand-new key art and a promotional video were also unveiled. The artwork features Solo Leveling: KARMA‘s original version of Sung Jinwoo alongside Antares, the Monarch of Destruction, the Mutated Hunters, and additional original characters unique to the game. The trailer concludes with a teaser hinting at another major reveal coming this September.

One of the biggest surprises during the panel was the announcement that acclaimed actor Troy Baker will voice Antares, the Monarch of Destruction, in Solo Leveling: KARMA. Although Antares has previously appeared in promotional materials for the game, this marked the first official reveal of his English voice actor.

Unable to attend Anime Expo in person, Troy shared a special video message with fans: “I really do love the show, and I’m freaking out. I’m proudly stepping into the shoes of the Monarch of Destruction, the King of Dragons, Antares.”

Aleks Le also treated attendees to a live dubbing performance using an in-game story sequence that recreated an intense confrontation between Sung Jinwoo and Antares. Attendees were also treated to a first look at new game footage, giveaways, a Q&A session, and a trivia contest where the winners received exclusive posters signed by both Aleks Le and Troy Baker.

Solo Leveling: KARMA is currently in development as a roguelite action RPG for mobile. Featuring isometric hack-and-slash combat, players combine different weapon types, buffs and combat upgrades to create unique builds and experience a different style of battle with every run.

A full recording of the “Solo Leveling: KARMA – Expanding Universe” panel is now available on the official YouTube channel.

Following the event, Netmarble is also hosting a giveaway on the official X account for fans in North America from July 6th through July 12th, with five winners receiving a collaborative poster signed by Aleks Le and Troy Baker.

Further updates will be shared through the official website, YouTube, and X channels.

©Solo Leveling Animation Partners

©Netmarble Corp. & Netmarble Neo Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Netmarble Corporation

Founded in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading global game developer and publisher. Through acclaimed franchises and strategic partnerships with top-tier IP holders, the company delivers innovative and engaging gaming experiences to audiences worldwide. As a parent company of Kabam, SpinX Games, Jam City, and a major shareholder of HYBE and NCSOFT, Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling:ARISE, Seven Knights Re:BIRTH, RAVEN2, MARVEL Future Fight, and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com.

Take charge of a professional esports organization and build a legacy from the ground up 

KRAKOW, Poland – July 6, 2026 – The wait is over. Esports Manager 2026, the deep esports management simulation from Neurona Games and indie.io, is available now on PC via Steam and the indie.io Store. Backed by more than 180,000 wishlists ahead of launch, the game puts players in full control of a professional esports organization, from contract negotiations and roster construction to live match tactics.

Behind every championship run is a manager juggling budgets, egos, and a ticking tournament clock. Start an organization from scratch or take the reins of an established team, then manage the financial, psychological, and logistical pressures that come with running a modern esports operation. Every contract signed, every player developed, and every sponsorship deal struck carries weight, and there is no scripted campaign or forced ending. The journey continues for as long as a manager stays in the chair.

Talent decisions sit at the heart of the experience. Players scout and recruit across a competitive transfer market, weighing the cost of marquee signings against the upside of developing hungry rookies. Weekly training plans shape both skill growth and morale, while the in-depth Talk module lets managers work through conflicts and motivate rosters through honest, meaningful conversations. Hiring extends beyond the roster too, with analysts, coaches, and media specialists available to round out a full backroom staff.

When it is time to compete, Simulation Mode puts players directly into the action. Matches unfold in real time with dynamic, reactive scenarios, live casters calling the action just like a real esports broadcast, and every tactical call made in the heat of competition can swing a series. The roster pool draws from over 325 real organizations and real reputations, including Eternal Fire, Copenhagen Wolves, Passion UA, m80, GamerLegion, NiP and many others, so the pressure to perform is never just a number on a screen. Sign the wrong star, and a manager risks fracturing a roster that real fans are already watching.

Besides the game itself, you also have the opportunity to manage your own database of players, teams, sponsors, tournaments, and staff. If you want to add 2016 rosters into the game – you can do that any time! Want to have a Major in your city? No problem!

“Esports management is a world where one bad signing can unravel an entire season, and one great conversation with a struggling player can turn a team around. We wanted players to feel that weight in every decision they make. Every system in this game exists because the real world of esports demanded it. We cannot wait to see what kind of managers our players turn out to be,” said Andrii Chupyr, Product Director at Neurona Games.

Esports Manager 2026 is available now on PC for $19.99 USD, with a 20% launch discount on both Steam and the indie.io Store.

ABOUT NEURONA GAMES

Founded in 2019 by the dynamic duo of Andrii Chupyr and Bohdan Buiak, fueled by their shared passion for gaming and a commitment to innovation, the entrepreneurial team set out to redefine the gaming landscape. From its humble beginnings, Neurona Games has rapidly evolved into a powerhouse of creativity and technological prowess. Find out more through their official website.

ABOUT INDIE.IO

indie.io is home to over 100 of the world’s best independent video games and developers. Our platform was built to provide independent developers with the resources, services, and management tools needed for success. Through collaboration and passion, we strive to cultivate a diverse and vibrant gaming landscape that resonates with players and creators alike!

July 6, 2026 | Bohdan Kvas is excited to announce that I Know a Spot, a cozy campsite building game, will launch on PC via Steam on July 14th, 2026. A free demo is available on Steam.

Play the Demo – Wishlist on Steam

About the Game

If you love the peaceful, no-pressure building of Tiny Glade or ShantyTown, I Know a Spot brings that same energy to the great outdoors. Explore a variety of locations across forests, lakes, mountains and seasonal environments, set up your perfect camp, customise your car and enjoy the peace and quiet with your dog.

No timers. No objectives. Just you, the outdoors and a very good dog.

Key Features

• Campsite building: Place objects freely to create warm, inviting scenes across a variety of nature locations.
• Car customisation: Personalise multiple cars with different models, colours, wheels and accessories.
• Dog companion: A loyal dog walks around camp, reacts to the environment and sits nearby.
• Peaceful exploration: Explore forests, lakes, mountains and seasonal environments with no pressure and no objectives.

About Bohdan Kvas
Bohdan Kvas is a solo developer based in Ukraine. I Know a Spot is their debut title.

Free Genesis Ascended Part I Launches ARK’s First-Ever Physics-Based Water System Alongside Tides of Fortune’s Expanded Naval Warfare – Studio Wildcard Shadowdrops ARK: Dragontopia, the First Chapter of the All-New Sky Based Adventure Arrives Today

SEATTLE, WA – July 6, 2026 – Studio Wildcard today launched one of the largest content updates in ARK: Survival Ascended‘s history, sending Survivors across the open seas and into the skies with three major additions. Available today are the free Genesis Ascended Part I remaster, the Tides of Fortune DLC introducing ARK’s biggest naval gameplay systems yet, and the surprise debut of ARK: Dragontopia, an all-new dragon-focused adventure that begins today and with new updates through December. All three are now available to download on PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S and Steam PC.

Included free with ARK: Survival Ascended, Genesis Ascended Part I completely reimagines the original story expansion with a massive ocean biome powered by ARK’s first-ever physics-driven water system. Featuring dynamic waves, realistic buoyancy, chaotic ocean warfare, and the colossal Palaeoctopus, Survivors will uncover the next chapter of ARK’s epic saga while completing missions, battling bosses, and exploring a fractured virtual simulation alongside their holographic companion, HLN-A. 

Get ready for Lumina’s arrival on July 9, and keep your spyglass trained on the skies. This week’s Dragon reveal will show a very different side of Dragontopia!

Launching alongside Genesis is Tides of Fortune ($19.99), an all-new premium DLC that transforms the ARK universe into a naval battlefield. Players can construct and customize seaworthy ships, command fleets in large-scale ship combat, hunt buried treasure, experience new cinematic story moments starring Karl Urban as Bob and Auli’i Cravalho as Meeka, play as “Cinematic Bob” featuring the likeness and voice of Urban and then recruit new companions including the healing Tidepup and treasure-hunting Parrot. 

SURPRISE LAUNCH: ARK: DRAGONTOPIA! 

Studio Wildcard has unveiled ARK: Dragontopia, an all-new premium expansion pass that introduces Survivors to a vast aerial ecosystem where dragons rule the skies. To survive this new high-altitude frontier, you’ll need to grow through the Dragon Skill Trees, a new progression system built around strengthening your bond with these mythical beasts. Craft highly specialized gear and wield potent tools, and expand your base with a draconic tileset, incubator backpacks, and mysterious potion stations. Owners will receive included content updates in late July, October and December culminating when a boundless, skyworld map drops. 

Here is info on all three updates launching today. For additional gameplay details please visit their linked Steam/PlayStation/Xbox product pages:

Genesis Ascended Part I

• Ocean Biome: As a new addition to the fully remastered Genesis expansion, dive into a massive, map-wide ocean biome built on a completely overhauled water physics system. Prepare for a true maritime experience with dynamic waves and realistic buoyancy as you command your own sailing ship. Discover islands and hidden fortresses that set the stage for chaotic, wide-scale ocean warfare. 
• Palaeoctopus:  Master the ocean depths with this cliff-climbing cephalopod that uses its crushing tentacles to seize dual targets and supplies your tribe with limitless colored ink.

Tides of Fortune

• Naval Fleet: Construct customizable seaworthy vessels at the Shipyard, including the swift Sloop and the towering Brigantine. Transform your ship into a true floating fortress by building out the decks, painting the hull, flying your own Jolly Roger, and sailing into battle with sea shanties ringing over the roar of cannon fire!
• Ship Combat: Take the helm to manually aim and fire your broadside cannons, either solo or as a cooperative multiplayer team! Utilize specialty ammo like Incendiary and Corrosive Cannonballs to give enemy armadas no quarter and send them to Davy Jones’ locker – all without micromanaging a crew. 
• Ship Skill Tree: Customize your vessel’s seafaring capabilities by investing your plunder across three distinct skill trees: Piracy, Merchant, and Luxury. 
• New Creatures:
  • Tidepup: As adorable as it is invaluable, this benevolent semi-aquatic salamander specializes in support, protection, and healing. Keep it as a Juvenile shoulder-pet to defend against incoming damage and dispel negative effects, or evolve it into a Mature rideable mount capable of creating a regenerative healing zone for your allies.
  • Parrot: This feathery friend tracks valuable treasure sources like Cave Crates, Alpha Creatures, and enemy Ship

ARK: Dragontopia

• Eclipsar Umbra, the legendary obsidian terror born to claim the night sky. Bound to your will through the mythic Dragon Horn, this shadow-forged executioner strikes with terrifying, unpredictable speed. Rain precision plasma from the cover of darkness, or slip through the void itself to ambush unsuspecting prey. 
• Dragon Skill Tree unlocks a brand-new progression path that lets you forge a deeper bond with your dragons. Push the limits of their gravity-defying acrobatics, amplify their shadow-forged plasma attacks, or tailor their defensive auras, as you shape the ultimate apex predator around your exact playstyle.
• Drake Claw Grappler: Wield this essential new tool for high-altitude traversal and midair dragon mounting.
• Draconic Armor: Equip this cosmetic set and look every inch the legendary dragonrider. 
• Dragon Life: Many more dragons will be launching in the weeks and months ahead as part of this phased expansion, culminating in a massive world map in December.

Haven’t yet experienced ARK: Survival Ascended? The ARK franchise of games is currently on sale this week with the base game 75% off

ARK: Survival Ascended includes access to all of ARK’s worlds, including Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, ARK Genesis Part 1 and Part 2. Available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Epic Game Store and Steam, players will create a Survivor, form a tribe, and then tame, train, breed & ride dinosaurs all within a living ecosystem.

ABOUT STUDIO WILDCARD 
Since revealing its flagship game ARK: Survival Evolved in 2015, Studio Wildcard has tirelessly strived to bring its dinosaur-filled vision to the masses. With millions of players worldwide, the team has delivered an amazing amount of new content and leveraged cutting-edge technology to keep fans engaged. With a transmedia universe, the ARK story can be discovered on all gaming platforms, within spin-off titles, and now as an epic narrative featuring a star-studded cast in ARK: The Animated Series on Paramount+. www.studiowildcard.com

A party-based roguelite where magic meets chaos and party strategy defines survival.

Athens, Greece, 6 July 2026 | Indie developer SOTO Game Studio is proud to announce that their debut game, Luminas: Parasite Reign, will officially release on Steam in Early Access on July 24th, 2026. This summer, fight massive enemy waves, defeat unique bosses, unlock powerful treasures, and build synergies through multiple skill paths in this single-player, party-based survivor roguelite.

A Party-Based Bullet Heaven

Welcome to the voxel world of Luminas: Parasite Reign, a party-based roguelite where the key to survival is strategy. Control up to three unique Luminas, magical beings fighting back against the monstrous Parasites corrupting the world of Solaris Land. With waves of enemies, epic boss battles, and evolving abilities, every run is a fight for survival and a chance to grow stronger.

Build Your Dream Team

Each Lumina offers distinct elemental powers that will define your party’s playstyle. There are eight different Luminas to choose from, each with unique spells and playstyles to define your party. Glass Cannon builds, Tank builds, Death/Revive builds, and more are available to fit your unique playstyle. Over twenty parasites are out there dying to devour you, so build the team you know can beat them back!

Evolve, Combine, Progress

Luminas can evolve during your runs and gain extra abilities and stats, and certain Lumina pairs can even combine their abilities to create combos. You can even leverage rule-changing corruptions that expand the roster and up enemy difficulty to introduce fresh new challenges. With so many paths to evolve, combine, learn, and corrupt, each run feels fresh, new, and full of discovery.

Surviving the Storm, Together!

This Early Access launch will include three dynamic maps, eight playable Luminas, and over 90 treasures to discover and combine. Player feedback during Early Access will help shape new modes, Luminas, spells, maps, and bosses as Solaris Land continues to evolve. Are you ready to awaken the power within and stand against the Parasite tide?

Full Game Features:

• Collect 8 different Luminas and optimize each of their individual elemental spell abilities to take your build in the direction of your choice 
• 64 Spells Offering Endless Party-Based Synergy Combinations, allowing you to create the strongest synergies imaginable through different team layouts
• Over 90 Pieces of Treasure to pick and choose from, offering customizable equippable bonus effects across all Luminas 
• Unlock Skill Trees and Evolutionary Upgrades to continually adapt your team to the ever-growing threats on Solaris. 
• 3 World Map Biomes, each offering unique new special bosses and parasitic encounters.  
• Robust Endgame options that allow you to control the difficulty, the number of parasites, and more in each map for a continually fresh and evolving game.

Wishlist Luminas: Parasite Reign now on Steam to be notified the moment it launches on July 24th.

About SOTO Game Studio

We’re a small team of three friends working at an independent digital agency in Greece, each coming from different worlds, marketing, development, and creative. Luminas: Parasite Reign is our first step into game development, born from a mix of curiosity, late-night design talks, and a shared love for roguelites.

The mining roguelite sequel completes its console rollout and is now available on all current-generation consoles.

[July 6, 2026] — Alawar is excited to announce that Wall World 2 is now available on Xbox Series X|S. Following its launch on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, the mining roguelite sequel can now be played across all current-generation console platforms.

Climb into your robospider and set out on dangerous expeditions across a vast vertical world. Mine procedurally generated depths for resources and lost technologies, then return to the surface to fend off waves of hostile creatures. Every run brings new discoveries, new threats, and new opportunities to improve your weapons, tools, exosuit, and robospider. With strange anomalies, dangerous enemies, and secrets waiting far below the surface, Wall World 2 gives players more ways to explore, survive, and grow stronger.

Wall World 2 is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.

About Alawar

Alawar is an independent video game developer and publisher founded in 1999. Specializing in midcore and casual games, the company extends its creative influence across PCs, video game consoles, and mobile devices. Alawar’s key titles include the Beholder series, Do Not Feed the Monkeys, Karate Survivor, Necrosmith, Wall World series, and an array of other releases.

Cygames brings Australia’s largest manga & anime convention to life with games, activities, merchandise, and screenings

July 6, 2026 – Shibuya, Tokyo – Video game publisher and developer Cygames, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Cygames”) heads to SMASH! in Sydney, Australia’s largest show focusing on Japanese pop culture, from 11–12^th July.

Exhibiting for the first time at SMASH!, Cygames will be located in Level 1, Booth Number 1-414 and will showcase and celebrate the launch of the action-packed RPG Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok. Attendees can play the game on Nintendo Switch™ 2, and those who play Endless Ragnarok at the Cygames booth will be able to receive badges selected randomly from one of four designs.

Other activities taking place at the Cygames booth include photo opportunities for Umamusume: Pretty Derby, where guests can pose next to the key visual. Attendees who come, take a photo of the wall, and post on social media will be rewarded with an “Umazing!” sticker.

Fans of the anime film Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era will be able to watch a full screening at SMASH! taking place at the Panel Stage on Saturday, 11^th July at 2:00 p.m. (AEST).  Admission is limited to the number of ticket add-ons booked in advance.

Cygames will also be distributing complimentary light sticks to attendees (while stocks last), encouraging everyone to light up the finale together for an Umamusume-style concert experience.

For further information on SMASH!, including ticketing and how to reserve a place at the film screening, please visit www.smash.org.au.

For more information on Cygames, visit the official Cygames website and the official X account (formerly Twitter) for Cygames EN.

Rally Car Mechanic Simulator arrives on PlayStation 5 on July 7, bringing its blend of rally car repair, garage management, and team building to a new audience. The game is also available on PC and XBOX Series X|S.

Two Polish studios, Play2Chill and Atomic Jelly, are behind the creation of Rally Car Mechanic Simulator. Ultimate Games S.A. is responsible for preparing and releasing the console versions.

The game first launched on PC in early 2025 under the name Rally Mechanic Simulator. It currently holds a 72 percent positive rating from players on Steam.

Fix rally cars and build a championship Team

Rally Car Mechanic Simulator is a relaxing and realistic title that puts players in the role of a rally mechanic. It is aimed mainly at fans of the Car Mechanic Simulator series, WRC rallying, and motorsport in general.

Gameplay centers on preparing cars for rallies and repairing damage sustained on special stages. Players also manage a garage and a rally crew, assemble their team, and negotiate with sponsors. The journey starts in a small garage that can be expanded as players progress. The goal is to reach the top of the rally world.

PlayStation Store – https://store.playstation.com/concept/10018074

The game stands out with its realistic rally car models and a wide range of possible interactions. Players can install, remove, repair, and modify parts specific to rally cars, including turbos, competition transmissions, and coilover suspensions. Work can also be done on more standard components such as suspension, turbochargers, electronics, tires, and gearboxes.

Rally Car Mechanic Simulator also features a detailed damage and cleaning system for rally cars. Vehicle models can be customized, tuned, and tested on the track.

Rally Car Mechanic Simulator – Key Features

• Become a rally mechanic
• Prepare and repair racing cars
• Enjoy realistic car models
• Test rally cars on the track
• Manage your garage and rally team

Rally Car Mechanic Simulator launches on PlayStation 5 on July 7, 2026.

LOS ANGELES – July 3rd, 2026 – At their Anime Expo panel, MangaGamer announced a July 30th release date for the second season of 07th Expansion’s Rose Guns Days, two new licenses: parade’s Lesson, and Alicesoft’s Galzoo Island, and the production of an exclusive plush of Shamsiel from the Funbag Fantasy series.

Promotional Website
MangaGamer Store Page
Steam Page
Release Date: July 30th

The second of four chapters of 07th Expansion’s Rose Guns Days featuring updated graphics and Japanese, English, and Chinese language options.

This action-suspense thriller takes place in an alternate history Japan where a natural disaster during World War 2 forced Japan to capitulate to Sino-American forces before the use of the bomb, resulting in a nation divided piecemeal between China and America as both force the native Japanese into the minority as they compete for political superiority in the occupied nation.

When a war veteran and the proprietress of brothel find themselves at the center of multiple gang conflicts, the growing strife soon leads to the birth of a new mafia family aiming to gain power within City 23 to secure the future for their Japanese brethren. Blood, bullets, and tears will fly as mafia vie for control and clash with the occupation forces.

Promotional Website

The latest title from parade, developers of NO, THANK YOU!!!, Room No. 9, and Lkyt.: Lesson. Another dark BL story in the vein of Room No.9 focusing intensely on two characters.

On a chilly, rainy night in early spring, Kento heads home on his bike. Just six months ago he was released from his second stint in juvenile detention, but he, now twenty, had finally settled into his job.

“Mess up again, and it won’t just be juvie next time.”

The warning flits through Kento’s mind just moments before colliding violently with a car. He blacks out, seriously injured.

Upon regaining consciousness in the hospital, Kento finds himself face-to-face with the driver of the car: Takafumi. Kento has no one he can rely on during his recovery, so Takafumi suggests they live together while Kento recovers from his injuries. Seeing a man who didn’t judge him for his naivety and clumsy speech, Kento begins to open up to Takafumi and accepts his offer.

From that day on, the pair become closer than they could ever imagine.

Promotional Website

Galzoo Island is a dungeon crawler spin-off of the Rance series featuring Gal Monsters from Alicesoft!

Leopold, aka Leo, is a young man studying the art of monster husbandry under the legendary tamer, Vestal Batch. While he’s gotten the fundamentals down, he’s still unable to tame even the wimpiest of monsters. But one day while Leo was engrossed in his studies, a Gal Monster known as Captain Vanilla appeared before him with a plea for help, but before Leo could get a word in edgewise, she had already whisked him away.

On the other side of the Teleport Gate, Leo finds the mysterious Squid Paradise: an island utopia created by the limitless power of the fearsome Baron Squid, along with a bevy of Gal Monsters who had been transported there from across the globe as potential marriage candidates for the baron. The imprisoned Gal Monsters are subjected to all manner of humiliations at his hand, and are understandably pretty peeved about the whole situation, but so long as the baron retains command of the Lady Killer—a nigh invulnerable monster—they’re powerless to fight back.

Although soliciting help from humans goes against their instincts, the Gal Monsters decided go to the legendary Vestal Batch for assistance in taking down Baron Squid once and for all, but unfortunately for them, they wasted their once-a-week opportunity to use the Teleport Gate not on Vestal Batch, but on his greenhorn apprentice…

MangaGamer Store Page
Release Date: Fall 2026

The seductive, sly succubus from Funbag Fantasy, is now a fumo-styled plushie! This plush is a special limited item produced only for customers outside of Japan, releasing in the fall of 2026. Pre-orders are open now.

For more information on these and other titles from MangaGamer, be sure to join the discussion on Discord or follow MangaGamer on Bluesky, Twitter and Facebook. You can also check out their blog for comments from the staff and other featured articles!

ABOUT MANGAGAMER.COM
MangaGamer.com is the world’s biggest publisher of English translated Visual Novels. Since its launch in July 2008, it has offered services where fans can download and enjoy popular Visual Novels such as 07th Expansion’s Higurashi When They Cry series,Alicesoft’s infamous Rance series, and Novectacle’s critically acclaimed The House in Fata Morgana right from their homes.

Free Genesis Ascended Part I Launches ARK’s First-Ever Physics-Based Water System Alongside Tides of Fortune’s Expanded Naval Warfare – Studio Wildcard Shadowdrops ARK: Dragontopia, the First Chapter of the All-New Sky Based Adventure Arrives Today

SEATTLE, WA – July 3, 2026 – Studio Wildcard today launched one of the largest content updates in ARK: Survival Ascended‘s history, sending Survivors across the open seas and into the skies with three major additions. Available today are the free Genesis Ascended Part I remaster, the Tides of Fortune DLC introducing ARK’s biggest naval gameplay systems yet, and the surprise debut of ARK: Dragontopia, an all-new dragon-focused adventure that begins today and with new updates through December. All three are now available to download on PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S and Steam PC.

Included free with ARK: Survival Ascended, Genesis Ascended Part I completely reimagines the original story expansion with a massive ocean biome powered by ARK’s first-ever physics-driven water system. Featuring dynamic waves, realistic buoyancy, chaotic ocean warfare, and the colossal Palaeoctopus, Survivors will uncover the next chapter of ARK’s epic saga while completing missions, battling bosses, and exploring a fractured virtual simulation alongside their holographic companion, HLN-A. 

Arriving free with Genesis Ascended, the Palaeoctopus lurks beneath the waves, ready to turn calm seas into chaos. As captains set sail in search of fortune, they’ll soon discover that not every adventure at sea goes according to plan

Launching alongside Genesis is Tides of Fortune ($19.99), an all-new premium DLC that transforms the ARK universe into a naval battlefield. Players can construct and customize seaworthy ships, command fleets in large-scale ship combat, hunt buried treasure, experience new cinematic story moments starring Karl Urban as Bob and Auli’i Cravalho as Meeka, play as “Cinematic Bob” featuring the likeness and voice of Urban and then recruit new companions including the healing Tidepup and treasure-hunting Parrot. 

SURPRISE LAUNCH: ARK: DRAGONTOPIA! 

Studio Wildcard today unveiled ARK: Dragontopia, an all-new premium expansion pass that introduces Survivors to a vast aerial ecosystem where dragons rule the skies. To survive this new high-altitude frontier, you’ll need to grow through the Dragon Skill Trees, a new progression system built around strengthening your bond with these mythical beasts. Craft highly specialized gear and wield potent tools, and expand your base with a draconic tileset, incubator backpacks, and mysterious potion stations. Owners will receive included content updates in late July, October and December culminating when a boundless, skyworld map drops. 

Here is info on all three updates launching today. For additional gameplay details please visit their linked Steam/PlayStation/Xbox product pages:

Genesis Ascended Part I

• Ocean Biome: As a new addition to the fully remastered Genesis expansion, dive into a massive, map-wide ocean biome built on a completely overhauled water physics system. Prepare for a true maritime experience with dynamic waves and realistic buoyancy as you command your own sailing ship. Discover islands and hidden fortresses that set the stage for chaotic, wide-scale ocean warfare. 
• Palaeoctopus:  Master the ocean depths with this cliff-climbing cephalopod that uses its crushing tentacles to seize dual targets and supplies your tribe with limitless colored ink. 

Tides of Fortune

• Naval Fleet: Construct customizable seaworthy vessels at the Shipyard, including the swift Sloop and the towering Brigantine. Transform your ship into a true floating fortress by building out the decks, painting the hull, flying your own Jolly Roger, and sailing into battle with sea shanties ringing over the roar of cannon fire!
• Ship Combat: Take the helm to manually aim and fire your broadside cannons, either solo or as a cooperative multiplayer team! Utilize specialty ammo like Incendiary and Corrosive Cannonballs to give enemy armadas no quarter and send them to Davy Jones’ locker – all without micromanaging a crew. 
• Ship Skill Tree: Customize your vessel’s seafaring capabilities by investing your plunder across three distinct skill trees: Piracy, Merchant, and Luxury. 
• New Creatures:
  • Tidepup: As adorable as it is invaluable, this benevolent semi-aquatic salamander specializes in support, protection, and healing. Keep it as a Juvenile shoulder-pet to defend against incoming damage and dispel negative effects, or evolve it into a Mature rideable mount capable of creating a regenerative healing zone for your allies.
  • Parrot: This feathery friend tracks valuable treasure sources like Cave Crates, Alpha Creatures, and enemy Ship

ARK: Dragontopia

• Eclipsar Umbra, the legendary obsidian terror born to claim the night sky. Bound to your will through the mythic Dragon Horn, this shadow-forged executioner strikes with terrifying, unpredictable speed. Rain precision plasma from the cover of darkness, or slip through the void itself to ambush unsuspecting prey. 
• Dragon Skill Tree unlocks a brand-new progression path that lets you forge a deeper bond with your dragons. Push the limits of their gravity-defying acrobatics, amplify their shadow-forged plasma attacks, or tailor their defensive auras, as you shape the ultimate apex predator around your exact playstyle.
• Drake Claw Grappler: Wield this essential new tool for high-altitude traversal and midair dragon mounting.
• Draconic Armor: Equip this cosmetic set and look every inch the legendary dragonrider. 
• Dragon Life: Many more dragons will be launching in the weeks and months ahead as part of this phased expansion, culminating in a massive world map in December.

Haven’t yet experienced ARK: Survival Ascended? The ARK franchise of games is currently on sale this week with the base game 75% off

ARK: Survival Ascended includes access to all of ARK’s worlds, including Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, ARK Genesis Part 1 and Part 2. Available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Epic Game Store and Steam, players will create a Survivor, form a tribe, and then tame, train, breed & ride dinosaurs all within a living ecosystem.

ABOUT STUDIO WILDCARD 
Since revealing its flagship game ARK: Survival Evolved in 2015, Studio Wildcard has tirelessly strived to bring its dinosaur-filled vision to the masses. With millions of players worldwide, the team has delivered an amazing amount of new content and leveraged cutting-edge technology to keep fans engaged. With a transmedia universe, the ARK story can be discovered on all gaming platforms, within spin-off titles, and now as an epic narrative featuring a star-studded cast in ARK: The Animated Series on Paramount+. www.studiowildcard.com