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The Ultimate 2025 Guide: Is ARK Survival Evolved PS4 Ragnarok Still Playable?

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For dedicated players of ARK: Survival Evolved on PlayStation 4, the status of the fan-favorite free expansion map, Ragnarok, has undergone a dramatic and permanent shift. As of today, December 19, 2025, the original official online experience for ARK: Survival Evolved (ASE) is no longer available, forcing the community to adapt to new ways of playing or, more significantly, to consider the massive, next-generation upgrade: ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA).

The good news is that the sprawling, multi-biome world of Ragnarok—famous for its stunning landscapes, unique creatures like the Griffin and Ice Wyvern, and massive explorable dungeons—is not only still accessible on PS4 but is also getting a monumental, ground-up remake as part of the ARK: Survival Ascended roadmap, which includes a major free release scheduled for the first half of 2025. This guide breaks down the current reality for PS4 players and what the future holds for the beloved map.

The Current State of ARK Survival Evolved (ASE) Ragnarok on PS4

The most crucial piece of information for any returning or new player is the fate of the official online infrastructure. The era of official servers for the original ARK: Survival Evolved on all platforms, including PlayStation 4, concluded definitively in late 2023.

Official Server Shutdown: The End of an Era

  • The Shutdown Date: Studio Wildcard officially shut down all public, official servers for ARK: Survival Evolved on September 30, 2023.
  • The Reason: This closure was a necessary step to pave the way for the launch of the Unreal Engine 5 remake, ARK: Survival Ascended.
  • Impact on PS4 Ragnarok: This means you can no longer join an official PvP or PvE server to play the Ragnarok map. All progress, bases, and creatures on those servers were archived and are no longer accessible in the live game.

How to Still Play Ragnarok on PS4 Today

While the official servers are gone, the game itself is still fully functional on your PlayStation 4. Your options for playing the Ragnarok map are now limited to non-official modes:

1. Single-Player Mode:

This is the most stable and reliable way to play Ragnarok on PS4. You have full control over all server settings, allowing you to adjust resource gathering rates, taming speed, and experience gain. This mode is perfect for players who want to explore the map's diverse biomes, conquer the Iceworm Male, and farm for resources at their own pace without the threat of other players.

2. Unofficial Servers:

Thousands of community-run, or "unofficial," servers still exist for ARK: Survival Evolved on PS4. These servers are hosted by dedicated players or third-party server providers. The stability and longevity of these servers vary widely, but they offer the closest experience to the original multiplayer game. You will need to filter the server list in-game to find one running the Ragnarok map.

3. Non-Dedicated Sessions:

You can host a session directly from your PS4 that allows a small number of friends to join you. Be aware that this mode suffers from the infamous "tether distance," which prevents players from straying too far from the host, significantly limiting exploration on a massive map like Ragnarok.

The Future is Ascended: Ragnarok’s 2025 Remake

The real focus for any current or future player of ARK is the remake, ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA). While ASA was initially released for PS5, it represents the future of the franchise, and its roadmap contains the most exciting news for Ragnarok fans.

Ragnarok Ascended: A Free, Massive Update

Studio Wildcard has committed to remaking all the original *ARK* maps in Unreal Engine 5 as free DLC for ARK: Survival Ascended. The Ragnarok map is a centerpiece of this plan and is scheduled for a major release/update in 2025.

  • Target Release Window: *Ragnarok Ascended* is currently slated to be released as a free expansion for ASA in April 2025. This release will be accompanied by the Unreal Engine 5.5 update, promising significant performance and visual enhancements.
  • New Creatures: The Ascended version of Ragnarok will introduce at least one brand new, free creature: the Giant Bison (Bison). This adds fresh taming and utility opportunities to an already rich ecosystem.
  • Visual Overhaul: The entire map is being rebuilt with Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) technology, which includes features like global illumination and advanced physics. This provides a stunning visual comparison to the original *Ragnarok Evolved* map, making the familiar landmarks—from the Viking Bay to the Dragon Caves—look completely new and breathtaking [cite: 6 (from first search)].

ASE vs. ASA: Should You Upgrade from PS4?

For a player still on a base PlayStation 4 or a PS4 Pro, the decision to stick with the original ARK: Survival Evolved or upgrade to a PS5 to play ARK: Survival Ascended is a critical one. Here is a comparison to help you decide:

Feature ARK: Survival Evolved (ASE) on PS4 ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA) on PS5/PC
Graphics Engine Unreal Engine 4 (Older, lower fidelity) Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) with modern features
Server Status Official servers are SHUT DOWN. Only Unofficial or Single-Player. Official servers are LIVE and fully supported.
Ragnarok Updates No further updates or new content. Massive "Ragnarok Ascended" update in April 2025 with new creatures.
Performance Often suffers from frame rate drops and common issues, especially in dense areas. Better overall performance, but still prone to bugs and crashing after major updates like the UE 5.5 patch [cite: 14, 21 (from first search)].
Cost Already owned (or cheap to buy). Ragnarok is free DLC. Requires purchase of the base game (ASA) and a PS5 console.

Performance Issues and Optimization

Even on the original PS4, performance issues on the Ragnarok map were a common complaint, particularly in high-traffic areas or when rendering the expansive vistas. While the original game will receive no further optimization patches, ARK: Survival Ascended is constantly being updated. However, even the new version has faced its share of technical challenges, with players reporting game crashing, PC reboots, and general performance dips following major content drops and engine updates [cite: 14, 21 (from first search)].

Essential Entities and Creatures on Ragnarok

The Ragnarok map remains a fan favorite because of its unique mix of biomes and creatures not found on The Island. Mastering this map requires knowledge of its key entities:

  • Griffin: A majestic creature unique to Ragnarok (and a few other maps). Taming a Griffin is a rite of passage, offering one of the best flyers for combat and travel.
  • Ice Wyvern: Found in the treacherous Snow Biome's trenches, the Ice Wyvern is a powerful variant of the standard Wyvern, providing a unique challenge and a devastating tame.
  • Iceworm Male: A massive, aggressive creature found in the Ice Cave, which serves as a mini-boss and is a necessary step for gathering Iceworm Horns for boss tributes.
  • The Boss Arena: Ragnarok features a unique boss arena where players can face a combination of the Dragon, Manticore, and the Iceworm Male, providing a challenging endgame for both solo and tribe players.

In conclusion, while the official online experience for ARK Survival Evolved PS4 Ragnarok is a thing of the past, the map lives on through unofficial servers and single-player mode. The real excitement, however, lies in the imminent, free release of *Ragnarok Ascended* for players who have made the jump to the next generation. The future of the map is brighter, bigger, and more beautiful than ever before.

The Ultimate 2025 Guide: Is ARK Survival Evolved PS4 Ragnarok Still Playable?
ark survival evolved ps4 ragnarok
ark survival evolved ps4 ragnarok

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