ARK: Survival Evolved (2017) Game Icons and Banners

In ARK: Survival Evolved, visuals such as game icons and banners play an integral role in creating an immersive gaming experience. From the detailed creature icons to customizable tribe banners, these elements are vital in enhancing both gameplay and player engagement. In this guide, we will explore the significance, customization options, and artistic evolution of ARK’s game icons and banners.

ARK: Survival Evolved (2017) Game Icons Banners

Image – Source

In ARK: Survival Evolved (2017), game icons serve various purposes, ranging from indicating resources to representing the numerous creatures in the game. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of game icons found in the game:

1. Creature Icons

These icons represent the diverse creatures in the ARK world, both real and fantastical. Each creature, like the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Velociraptor, and Wyvern, has its own icon that captures its distinctive features. The attention to detail in the designs—like scales, teeth, claws, and wings—ensures that players can instantly recognize creatures.

2. Resource Icons

These icons denote key materials used for crafting and building, such as:

• Wood: Represented by logs or branches.
• Stone: Displayed as rock or pebbles.
• Fiber: Often represented by bundles of grass or leaves.

3. Equipment Icons

Tools, weapons, and armor each have their own icons, which are important for quick inventory management:

• Pickaxe: Used for gathering materials like stone and metal.
• Bow and Arrow: Depicts a basic weapon for hunting or combat.
• Flak Armor: Icon showing pieces of protective gear used for high-level defense.

4. Status Effect Icons

These icons alert players about their current condition or a specific debuff:

• Health: Usually a heart icon to show the player’s health status.
• Stamina: Represented by a lightning bolt or energy bar.
• Poison/Disease: Depicted with skulls or biohazard symbols.

5. Taming and Breeding Icons

Icons used during taming or breeding processes, such as:

• Eggs: Represent breeding readiness.
• Meat/Berries: Icons for the types of food needed to tame carnivores and herbivores.

6. Achievement Icons

Special icons for milestones like surviving a set number of days or taming specific creatures:

• Master Tamer: Represents achieving taming milestones.
• Builder Extraordinaire: Showcased for constructing large bases or structures​

These icons are integral to gameplay, making it easier for players to navigate ARK’s complex world, manage resources, and engage with the game’s many challenges.

The Role of Game Icons in ARK: Survival Evolved

Iconic Creatures of ARK

One of the standout features of ARK: Survival Evolved is its extensive array of creatures, from familiar dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus Rex to fantastical beasts such as the Wyvern. Each of these creatures is represented by detailed icons designed to capture their unique characteristics. These icons are not just visually impressive but also serve practical functions, enabling players to quickly identify creatures in their environment.

For example, the Velociraptor icon captures the predatory nature of this swift hunter, with its sickle-shaped claws and piercing gaze, while the Brontosaurus icon reflects the peaceful demeanor of this gentle giant. These carefully designed icons make gameplay more intuitive and immersive.

Icon Customization in ARK

In ARK, players have the option to customize certain icons, especially when creating their own banners. Customization tools both in-game and external (such as Photoshop or GIMP) allow players to design unique icons that reflect their tribe’s identity and values.

Banners in ARK: Survival Evolved

Image – Source

In ARK: Survival Evolved (2017), banners serve multiple roles, from representing tribe identity to marking achievements. Here’s a breakdown of the various types of banners found in the game:

1. Tribe Banners

• Purpose: Tribe banners are customized by players to reflect their tribe’s identity. These banners are often used to mark tribe-owned territory and rally points.
• Customization: Players can personalize these banners using in-game dyes, paints, or custom symbols. The designs are important in PvP battles, where banners act as visual markers for coordination.

2. Achievement Banners

• Purpose: Achievement banners are awarded for completing significant milestones, such as taming specific creatures or surviving for long durations.
• Examples:
  • Survivor of The Ark: A banner signifying survival expertise.
  • Master Tamer: Showcases a player’s skill in taming various creatures.
• Importance: These banners provide recognition of a player’s accomplishments and act as motivation for others to achieve similar milestones.

3. Event Banners

• Purpose: These banners are tied to special in-game events such as Halloween, Winter Wonderland, or Easter.
• Design: Each event features unique visual designs that reflect the theme of the event, such as festive or seasonal elements.
• Impact: These banners not only enhance the game’s visual atmosphere but also encourage players to participate in the seasonal activities.

4. Customization Banners

• Purpose: Custom banners allow players to express their creativity by designing unique visuals that represent their tribe or personal style.
• Tools: Players can use external design software or in-game tools to create their own banners. This personalization helps players establish a distinct identity in the game.

5. Strategic Banners

• Purpose: In competitive multiplayer, banners are used to mark key strategic points such as defense areas or assembly zones.
• Functionality: These banners provide visual cues during intense gameplay, helping players to coordinate effectively during battles or resource gathering missions.

These banners, whether custom-made or achievement-based, not only enhance gameplay by providing visual aids but also add an extra layer of personalization and strategy in the world of ARK: Survival Evolved.

The Artistic Evolution of ARK’s Visual Elements

Early Icon and Banner Designs

When ARK was first released, the visuals were relatively simple. Over time, Studio Wildcard improved the clarity, readability, and thematic integration of the game’s icons and banners. The early versions primarily focused on basic shapes and colors for functionality, but subsequent updates have refined these elements, blending art and function.

The Impact of Thematic Consistency

The icons and banners in ARK are heavily influenced by prehistoric themes. The use of earthy tones, natural hues, and dinosaur motifs not only complements the game’s aesthetic but also strengthens the player’s connection to the survival experience. This thematic consistency allows for a more immersive environment where players feel deeply engaged with the game’s narrative.

How to Customizing Your ARK: Survival Evolved Game Icons and Banners?

Image – Source

Tools for Customization

Players have a variety of tools at their disposal to create custom banners. Adobe Photoshop and GIMP are popular choices for more detailed designs, while the in-game dye and paint system offer straightforward options for customizing banners directly within the game.

Best Practices for Designing Banners

When designing banners, it’s important to keep them simple and recognizable. Using contrasting colors ensures that banners are visible from a distance, and sticking to iconic imagery (such as dinosaurs or tribal symbols) reinforces their impact.

Additionally, focusing on high-resolution designs ensures that the banners are clear and aesthetically pleasing.

How to Enhancing Player Engagement Through Visual Storytelling?

Immersive Biomes in ARK’s Banners

ARK’s banners aren’t just static images—they are immersive representations of the game’s vast landscapes. From lush jungles to arid deserts, each banner captures the essence of a specific biome. These visuals help set the tone for the adventure, drawing players into ARK’s diverse environments.

Real-Time Strategy and Visual Elements

In ARK, banners and icons are crucial for strategic planning, especially in multiplayer scenarios. Tribe banners can mark territory or rally points, while icons provide essential visual cues during battles. These elements enhance not only player communication but also the overall gameplay experience by facilitating quick decision-making.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ARK: Survival Evolved (2017) offers a rich visual experience through its game icons and banners. These elements are not merely decorative but play crucial roles in gameplay, tribe identity, and player engagement. Game icons—ranging from creature icons to resource and status effect icons—are meticulously designed to enhance both aesthetics and functionality.

 Players can easily navigate the complex ARK world by recognizing these visual cues, which improve the overall gaming experience.

What Are the FAQs About ARK: Survival Evolved (2017) Game Icons?

How can I customize my ARK banners?

Customization in ARK is done using in-game tools like dyes and paints or external software such as Photoshop or GIMP for more advanced designs.

What are the different types of banners in ARK?

The game includes tribe banners, achievement banners, and event banners, each serving different purposes such as representing ownership, marking milestones, or celebrating in-game events.

What software can I use to create custom icons?

For creating custom icons and banners, tools like Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and Canva are recommended.

Are ARK game icons and banners updated regularly?

Yes, Studio Wildcard frequently updates the visual elements, introducing new icons and banners with in-game events or expansions.

How do banners help in tribe communication?

Banners serve as rallying points, marking key locations and signaling tribe identity, which aids in coordinating multiplayer strategies.

What is the significance of achievement banners in ARK?

Achievement banners reflect a player’s milestones, such as taming a set number of dinosaurs or surviving for a certain duration, offering recognition and motivation.

Where can I find high-resolution ARK icons?

High-resolution versions of ARK icons can be found on platforms like the Steam Workshop and ARK forums where community members share custom designs.