Create, Submit, Vote for Mods in ARKathon!

ARKathon Mod Contest – Introduction

Fans of ARK: Survival Ascended may decide to use mods for extra content, as this amplifies the gameplay experience. Whether you want new dinosaurs or maps, there are tons of exciting features to explore. Studio Wildcard understands the importance of modding, so they’ve decided to partner with CurseForge in a special event – ARKathon! 

In this contest, modders have the opportunity to submit their creations for a chance to win prize money. Additionally, studios can participate in this event too with the focus being on premium DLC-level content. This means that individual creators and full fledged organizations can design magnificent cross-platform mods for ARK: Survival Ascended to possibly win cash prizes.

ARKathon started on December 5th, 2023 and allows submissions until February 5th, 2024. Community voting is through Feb 12th – 24th, with the contest concluding on the 28th. You have plenty of time to get started on your mods for this wonderful event! Let’s begin to learn more about how to participate and the guidelines for ARKathon.

Choose a Track!

There are two entrees or otherwise called tracks to choose from, Modders and Studios. The first is primarily for individual creators, allowing them to focus on single mods such as dinos, maps, outfits, and everything else. As for the second one, this is aimed at game studios with a minimum of three full-time individuals working to create high-quality DLC-like mods. Both of these tracks have different ways to enter, along with guidelines to follow when participating in ARKathon. Check them out below!

Modders Track Details

• Must be the legal age of 18 years old or above to enter
• Must sign up as a CurseForge creator
• Requires the dev kit to create and upload mods
• Only allowed to design cross-platform mods
• Maps and everything else is allowed for submission
• 16 finalists will be selected, totaling 6 maps and 10 other mods.
• After the community vote, 8 winners will be announced and share a $50,000 prize.

More information can be found here.

Studios Track Details

• Must be the legal age of 18 years old or above
• Required to fill this form before entering the contest, CurseForge will reach out
• Submissions are sent as concept videos, showcasing your idea, team, vision, and mod
• Optional playable demo can be added on top of the video
• An official Game Design Document (GDD) is required when submitting
• Only allowed to design cross-platform DLC-level mods
• 10 finalists will be selected, with only 3 being announced as winners
• The winners will each receive $100,000 as their cash prize.

More information can be found here.

Cast Your Vote!

When the time rolls around, the community will begin voting on their favorite mods and concept videos. This is where the fun starts, as YOU have the ability to influence which creator or studio wins ARKathon. Remember, this period only lasts from February 12th – 24th of 2024. This should give everyone a chance to cast their vote, so no rush. The winners will be announced at the very end of the contest, Feb 28th. Explore what new and exciting mods people came up with, perhaps you might want to even try them out in ARK: Survival Ascended. You can be updated when voting starts by subscribing to their newsletter on the main website for this contest.

ARK x CurseForge

The partnership between ARK and Overwolf means there are endless possibilities! We may see more of these ARKathons in the future, so let’s keep an eye out for them. There are lots of creators and studios taking this seriously, as tons of cash prizes are on the line. Remember, all of these mods will be cross-platform and might be introduced in the game – it all boils down to Studio Wildcard. We’re all excited to see what unique creations people will make for ARKathon!

Enter the ARKathon Today