If you've been sat around waiting for the release of ARK: Survival Evolved's TEK Tier update, you're probably wondering why it didn't arrive with the final December update. It was pushed back every so slightly.
Now arriving with the January 254 Version update, there really isn't all that much time left until the new gameplay system comes into effect. Citing the quieter holiday period as the biggest reason for its initial delay, everything is ready and waiting to roll for when the developers decide to flick the switch.
Due to the complicated nature of the new system, the studio acknowledges the need to have it be tested and tweaked on the fly as soon as the update lands. With many, including the developers, taking a break over the festive period, releasing it last month as planned would carry the fear of a broken system causing stress for everyone over the holidays.
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With the distance between the December and January updates being rather large, too, there should be more coming into the original TEK Tier 1 release than what was forecast. Hoping players are content with the 253 update, the developers are still betting on the upcoming Underwater Base system to keep players engadged for a little while.
Over-all, the January update looks to be far bigger than most expected as a result. When it will arrive is anyone's guess, but updates tend to come in the second half of each month.
