The Official ARK: Survival Ascended Extinction Release Time: Launch Details, Delays, And New Content

The official launch of the *ARK: Survival Ascended* Extinction expansion was a highly anticipated event, ultimately settling on a targeted release time of 4 PM Pacific Time (PST) on Thursday, December 19, 2024. This time was equivalent to Midnight UTC, giving players around the world a specific moment to prepare for their return to the corrupted Earth. The launch followed a brief three-day delay from the original December 16th date, a familiar pattern for Studio Wildcard releases, which often require last-minute adjustments to ensure a simultaneous cross-platform rollout.

However, the cross-platform launch was not entirely smooth, as the Xbox version of *Extinction Ascended* faced an indefinite delay due to unforeseen certification issues, frustrating many console players. This article breaks down the exact launch details, the reasons behind the platform split, and the massive amount of new content, including creatures and features, that arrived with the final chapter of the *ARK* story on the Unreal Engine 5 platform.

Extinction Ascended Launch Timeline and Official Release Times

The journey to the *Extinction Ascended* launch was marked by several critical announcements, culminating in the final deployment of the map to PC and PlayStation platforms. Understanding the official target time is key for players who want to jump into new *ARK* content the moment it drops.

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The Official Launch Date and Time

The initial release date for *Extinction Ascended* was set for December 16, 2024.

However, in a move that is customary for major *ARK* expansions, the date was pushed back by three days to allow for final polish and cross-platform preparation.

• Final Confirmed Release Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024.
• Targeted Release Time (PST): 4:00 PM Pacific Time (PST).
• Targeted Release Time (UTC/GMT): 12:00 AM Midnight Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on December 20, 2024.

This 4 PM PST/Midnight UTC target has been a consistent pattern for major *ASA* content drops, allowing the North American development team to monitor the launch during their working hours.

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The Unforeseen Xbox Delay

While PC (Steam) and PlayStation players were able to access the new map on December 19th, the Xbox community faced a significant setback. The Xbox version of *Extinction Ascended* was delayed indefinitely due to certification issues.

This "Cert Issue" often refers to problems with the build passing the platform holder's (Microsoft's) quality assurance checks, a necessary step before any major update or DLC can go live on the console. This meant the simultaneous cross-platform launch was split, leaving Xbox survivors waiting for a new, unannounced release date.

New Creatures, Features, and the Corrupted Earth

The *Extinction* expansion is one of the most lore-heavy maps in the *ARK* saga, bringing players to a post-apocalyptic Earth ravaged by Element corruption. The *Ascended* version introduces not only the remastered map but also brand-new creatures and a host of updated features.

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Exclusive New Creatures for Extinction Ascended

The *ASA* re-release of *Extinction* includes two highly anticipated creatures voted on by the community, adding fresh challenges and utility to the classic map:

• Dreadnoughtus: A massive, community-voted Sauropod, this creature is a formidable ally and a new apex herbivore for the corrupted biomes.
• Armadoggo: A companion creature tied to the "Bob's Tall Tales" content, the Armadoggo is a utility pet that offers unique benefits to survivors exploring the Wasteland.

Key Returning Extinction Entities and Bosses

The map is defined by its unique biome bosses and powerful robotic and corrupted creatures that players must conquer to complete the *ARK* storyline. These entities are essential to the *Extinction* experience:

• Titans: The map's main bosses, including the Forest Titan, Ice Titan, and Desert Titan, which must all be defeated to challenge the final boss.
• King Titan: The ultimate boss of the *Extinction* map, now spawning in the Wastes with an Unreal Engine 5 visual overhaul.
• Unique Tames: The highly valuable and unique creatures of the map, such as the aerial Managarmr, the defensive Gasbags, the turret-like Velonasaur, and the utility Gacha.
• Robotic Entities: The mechanical Enforcers and Scouts, which patrol the city and offer unique crafting materials.

Crucial Extinction Features and Lore

The map is a hub for high-end technology and critical lore elements:

• Cryopods: *Extinction* is the home of the Cryopod technology, which allows survivors to freeze and transport creatures easily, a fundamental quality-of-life feature for all players.
• Orbital Supply Drops (OSDs): These challenging, wave-based defense events are the primary way to earn high-tier loot and resources on the map.
• Element Veins: The source of raw Element, another wave-defense objective that is crucial for end-game crafting.
• Wasteland War: A major event or game mode associated with the *Extinction* launch, hinting at large-scale conflicts in the corrupted Wastes.

The Lost Colony and the Apex Creature Aureliax

Further enhancing the topical authority of the *Extinction* release is the concurrent rollout of the Lost Colony content, which acts as a narrative bridge between *Extinction* and the upcoming *ARK 2*. This content introduces a new set of entities and a formidable Apex Predator.

The Aureliax is the new, mysterious celestial dragon and Apex Creature unveiled for the *Lost Colony* expansion. This creature, along with others like the Ossidon, Drakeling, Elderclaw, Gloon, and Malwyn, is part of the ongoing narrative expansion that ties directly into the events of *Extinction* and the fate of the corrupted Earth.

The integration of the *Lost Colony* narrative ensures that the *Extinction Ascended* release is not just a remaster of old content, but a significant, fresh chapter in the *ARK: Survival Ascended* universe, providing new challenges and essential lore for all dedicated survivors.