ARK: Survival Evolved is a popular survival-based action-adventure game developed by Studio Wildcard, released in August 2017. The game transports players to a prehistoric world where they must survive on an island teeming with dinosaurs, mythical creatures, and various environmental threats. With a loyal fan base and a variety of mods, expansions, and community-created content, ARK has evolved into more than just a game—it has become a massive community of survival enthusiasts.
One aspect of the ARK community that often goes unnoticed is the importance of game icons and banners. These visual elements play a significant role in the overall gaming experience, from branding multiplayer servers to customizing a tribe’s identity. In this article, we will dive deep into the significance of ARK’s game icons and banners, their impact on player experience, and how you can create or modify your own.
The Role of Game Icons and Banners in ARK: Survival Evolved
What are Game Icons and Banners?
In the context of ARK: Survival Evolved, game icons refer to visual elements like server icons, tribe emblems, and other graphics that represent different in-game entities. These icons can be customized to fit the theme or narrative of the server or tribe, making them an essential aspect of personalizing the gaming experience.
Banners, on the other hand, are custom flags or large visuals that players can place around their bases or on certain structures in the game. These banners not only serve a functional purpose—helping players identify specific locations or areas—but also act as aesthetic enhancements, offering players a way to express creativity within the game.
Why Do Icons and Banners Matter?
Icons and banners are more than just superficial decorations in ARK: Survival Evolved. Here’s why they matter:
- Identity and Customization: Whether it’s a server icon or a tribe banner, these visuals allow players to create a unique identity within the game. Custom banners and icons help distinguish your tribe, making it stand out from others.
- Community Engagement: ARK is known for its vast multiplayer component, where players join tribes or servers. Having a unique game icon or banner can attract more players to your server or tribe, fostering a stronger community.
- Immersion: Customizing icons and banners to fit the lore or setting of the server adds another layer of immersion for players. For example, a banner featuring a specific dinosaur or ancient symbol enhances the game’s thematic consistency.
- Competition: In PvP (Player vs. Player) servers, banners and tribe icons are used to instill fear or awe in rival tribes. A well-designed tribe emblem can be a form of psychological warfare, making enemies think twice before raiding your base.
How to Create Custom Icons and Banners in ARK: Survival Evolved
Step 1: Tools and Software for Creating Icons
To create custom game icons or tribe banners, you’ll need some basic graphic design software. Here are some of the most popular tools used by ARK players:
- Photoshop: Adobe’s Photoshop is a professional tool used to create high-quality game icons. Its versatility makes it a favorite among many gamers for creating custom designs.
- GIMP: GIMP is a free alternative to Photoshop and works equally well for creating custom game icons and banners. It’s open-source, which means it has a vast community offering tutorials and plug-ins.
- Paint.net: Another free and easy-to-use tool for customizing game assets. It offers simplicity and quick execution, ideal for beginners.
Step 2: Design Specifications
When creating custom icons or banners, it’s important to know the specific file formats and dimensions that ARK: Survival Evolved uses:
- Server Icons: Server icons should be 256 x 256 pixels in size and saved as .png or .jpg files. Keep in mind that transparent backgrounds work well for cleaner designs.
- Tribe Banners: For banners, the dimensions should be larger, typically 512 x 512 pixels, also saved in .png or .jpg format.
- In-game Banners: When crafting flags or in-game banners, players should aim for a resolution that translates well into the game world, keeping the image clear even when stretched across different surfaces.
Step 3: Uploading Icons and Banners into ARK
Once you’ve designed your custom icon or banner, follow these steps to upload them into the game:
- Locate ARK’s directory: On your PC, go to the ARK folder under Steam. The default path is usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ARK.
- Place the image in the correct folder: For tribe icons, navigate to ShooterGame\Saved\MyPaintings, and place your .pnt file there.
- Load the design in-game: Once inside ARK, go to the structure you wish to apply the banner to. You’ll find the option to upload your custom design through the in-game menus.
Popular ARK Game Icon and Banner Themes
1. Tribal and Ancient Symbols
One of the most popular themes for tribe banners in ARK is the use of tribal or ancient symbols. This theme aligns well with the game’s prehistoric setting and can include everything from Norse runes to Native American tribal symbols. These designs not only look visually striking but also tie into the game’s survival and territorial themes.
2. Dinosaur Emblems
Given that ARK: Survival Evolved revolves around dinosaurs, it’s no surprise that many custom icons and banners feature dinosaur imagery. Players often use dinosaur skulls, footprints, or stylized versions of their favorite in-game creatures. A T-Rex head or Raptor claw design can strike fear into enemy tribes while displaying your dominance over the island.
3. Mythical and Fantasy Designs
For servers or tribes that embrace the fantasy elements of ARK, banners featuring dragons, mythical creatures, or celestial designs are quite popular. These themes are perfect for players who enjoy the creative and mystical side of the game, especially with the release of expansion packs that introduce fantasy creatures.
4. Military and Tactical Banners
PvP players often use military-style banners, including insignias, badges, and flags that evoke a tactical or war-like aesthetic. These designs can signify strength and preparedness, which are crucial in competitive servers where raiding and defending bases are key gameplay elements.
Tips for Designing High-Quality Icons and Banners
1. Keep It Simple
While it may be tempting to add intricate details to your design, simplicity often works best, especially when viewed at smaller resolutions. Choose clear and bold designs that can be easily recognized from a distance.
2. Use Contrasting Colors
Ensure your design uses contrasting colors to stand out. For example, if your background is dark, opt for lighter elements in the design to make it more visible.
3. Incorporate Your Tribe’s Identity
If you’re designing a tribe emblem, consider the values, strengths, and theme of your tribe. This could be reflected in the choice of symbols, animals, or colors used in the icon or banner.
4. Test Your Design
Before finalizing your design, test how it looks in-game. A design that looks good on your computer screen might not translate as well into the game environment, so make adjustments as needed.
Modding Icons and Banners: Taking Customization to the Next Level
Using Mods for Enhanced Customization
One of the best aspects of ARK is its modding community. Mods not only add new gameplay elements but also offer players more tools for customizing icons and banners. Some mods allow for more flexibility in the design process or provide templates and pre-made designs that players can use or tweak.
Popular mods like Paintable Structures or Image Importing Tools enable players to import high-quality images into the game, offering even more customization options beyond the in-game tools.
FAQs
1. Can I use copyrighted images for my custom icons in ARK?
No, you should not use copyrighted images without permission. It’s better to create your own designs or use images that are in the public domain.
2. What are the best tools for creating ARK game icons?
Photoshop, GIMP, and Paint.net are popular tools for creating game icons. Each offers different levels of functionality based on your experience and design needs.
3. How do I change the server icon in ARK?
To change your server icon, create a 256 x 256 pixel image, name it ServerAdmin.pnt, and place it in the ARK directory under ShooterGame\Saved\MyPaintings. You can then upload it to your server settings.
4. Can I create animated banners for ARK?
No, ARK does not support animated banners. All images must be static.
5. What file formats are accepted for icons and banners in ARK?
ARK accepts .png and .jpg file formats for both icons and banners.
Conclusion
ARK: Survival Evolved offers a world full of customization options, allowing players to express themselves through game icons and banners. Whether you’re a server administrator looking to attract more players or a tribe leader trying to create a unique identity, customizing these visual elements adds another layer of immersion and fun to the game. By following the tips in this guide, you can create your own stunning icons and banners that will leave a lasting impression in the world of ARK.