Ark: Survival Evolved,” released in 2017, is one of the most captivating survival games of the last decade. Developed by Studio Wildcard, the game immerses players in a prehistoric world filled with dinosaurs, mythical creatures, and dangerous environments. Ark quickly gained popularity, thanks to its rich survival mechanics, multiplayer options, and the challenge of taming gigantic creatures. However, one aspect that often goes unnoticed, but is crucial for players’ experiences, is the in-game visual elements, such as game icons and banners. These icons and banners play a significant role in both the game’s user interface and its overall branding.
The icons and banners in Ark: Survival Evolved are not merely aesthetic choices. They provide key information, represent various in-game items, and help streamline the player’s experience. In this article, we’ll delve deep into the importance of game icons and banners in Ark: Survival Evolved (2017), exploring their purpose, design, and how they contribute to the immersive world of Ark.
The Role of Icons in Ark: Survival Evolved (2017)
In Ark: Survival Evolved, game icons serve multiple purposes, from providing critical information in the user interface to representing various in-game elements. When players interact with their inventory, crafting tables, or the in-game HUD (Heads-Up Display), they encounter numerous icons representing everything from items, resources, and creatures to weapons and armor.
- Inventory Icons: One of the most vital roles of icons in Ark is within the inventory system. Every item, resource, and tool in the game has a corresponding icon, making it easier for players to identify what they have at a glance. Given the variety of materials, items, and dinosaurs available in the game, the icons help maintain organization and efficiency for players.
- Crafting Icons: Crafting is a core part of the Ark: Survival Evolved experience, and the crafting interface uses a well-designed icon system to help players navigate the large list of available items. The icons in the crafting menu represent weapons, tools, building materials, and even saddles for dinosaurs, allowing players to quickly select the items they need to craft.
- Status and Buff Icons: The in-game HUD also features icons that represent the player’s status. For example, if a player is cold, hot, or poisoned, a corresponding icon will appear on the screen, alerting the player to take action. Similarly, buffs such as increased stamina or reduced food consumption are displayed via icons.
- Creature Icons: One of the most exciting aspects of Ark is taming and managing creatures, and each creature is represented by a unique icon. Whether it’s a velociraptor, a T-Rex, or a mythical creature like the Rock Drake, these icons help players manage their tamed creatures in their inventory or on the map.
These game icons are crucial to enhancing the player’s experience, providing clarity, and making it easy to engage with the game’s complex mechanics. Without well-designed icons, the interface would be much harder to navigate, especially given the game’s depth and range of activities.
The Importance of Banners in Ark: Survival Evolved (2017)
While icons provide functional support, banners serve a more symbolic role in Ark: Survival Evolved. Banners are essential in the game’s branding, representing tribes, players, and achievements within the game.
- Tribe Banners: In Ark, players can band together to form tribes, which allows for collaborative gameplay in both PvE (Player vs. Environment) and PvP (Player vs. Player) settings. Tribe banners act as symbols of unity and identity for each tribe. These banners can be customized to represent a tribe’s uniqueness, from colors and symbols to design patterns. The banners are also often used to mark territories and bases, making them a powerful visual cue in the game world.
- In-Game Event Banners: Throughout the year, Ark holds various in-game events such as Halloween, Winter Wonderland, and Summer Bash. During these events, special banners and visual elements are displayed, adding a festive feel to the gameplay. Players can often collect or craft limited-time banners during these events to decorate their bases and express their participation in the event.
- Achievement Banners: Achievements play a role in most modern games, and Ark is no different. Certain milestones, such as defeating a boss or reaching a specific level, can unlock special banners or emblems. These banners act as a mark of prestige, allowing players to show off their accomplishments to others within the game.
- Base Decoration: Beyond functionality, banners in Ark: Survival Evolved serve as decoration. Players who enjoy building elaborate bases can use banners to give their settlements a personal touch. Whether it’s a skull-adorned banner for a PvP clan or a tribal banner representing a peaceful group, these visual elements enhance immersion and personalization.
The Design Aesthetic Behind Ark’s Game Icons and Banners
The design of the icons and banners in Ark: Survival Evolved is carefully crafted to fit the overall theme of survival and adventure. With prehistoric elements and a blend of fantasy, the developers at Studio Wildcard ensured that the visual elements align with the game’s setting.
- Prehistoric Influence: The icons are designed with a natural and raw feel to match the ruggedness of the Ark world. From wooden tools to leather armor, the aesthetic matches the primitive setting of the game. For example, a stone hatchet icon looks weathered and rough, while a bow icon might show sinew and wood, reflecting the materials used in their crafting.
- Futuristic Contrast: Interestingly, some icons and banners reflect the game’s futuristic and technological aspects. Players can craft advanced items like Tek armor and futuristic weapons, and their icons feature sleek designs with glowing elements, representing the advanced technology juxtaposed against the prehistoric world.
- Customizable Elements: The banners, in particular, allow for customization, enabling players to create their own designs. This adds a layer of personal expression to the game, as each tribe or player can adopt their own unique visual style.
- Color Schemes and Symbols: Banners often feature simple yet powerful color schemes and symbols. Whether a player wants to use aggressive symbols like skulls and crossbones for PvP, or peaceful symbols like animals or nature for PvE, the banner system is designed to reflect the personality of the player or tribe.
How Icons and Banners Enhance Player Experience in Ark: Survival Evolved (2017)
One of the reasons Ark: Survival Evolved (2017) game icons and banners are so vital to the player experience is the sheer scale of the game’s content. Ark features an enormous variety of creatures, items, and mechanics, and without these visual cues, players could easily become overwhelmed.
- Improved User Interface: The use of icons streamlines the player’s experience. Instead of having to scroll through long lists of text-based information, players can rely on the visual cues provided by the icons to quickly access and manage their inventory, crafting, and tamed creatures.
- In-Game Communication: Banners and icons also improve communication within the game. For instance, tribe members can easily identify friend from foe based on their tribe’s banner. In large PvP battles, banners serve as a beacon for players to rally around, helping to foster teamwork and coordination.
- Immersion and Customization: Banners offer players a way to express themselves creatively. Ark is not just about survival; it’s also about creating a world that reflects the player’s personality. By allowing players to design their own banners, Ark gives them an opportunity to leave their mark on the game world in a personal way.
Conclusion
Ark: Survival Evolved (2017) is more than just a survival game; it’s a complex world where creativity, strategy, and teamwork come together. The game icons and banners are essential parts of the experience, providing functional support through icons and offering a way to express individuality and tribe identity through banners. These elements enrich the player’s experience, helping them navigate the game’s challenges while adding layers of immersion and customization.
As players continue to explore, tame creatures, and build their own empires, the careful design of Ark’s game icons and banners will continue to play a pivotal role in enhancing gameplay and offering a visual representation of their journey.