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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsARK: Survival Ascended’s September 30, 2026 update brings three distinct changes: Gargantar to ARK: Dragontopia, Cerberax to Fantastic Tames Season 1, and a Therizinosaurus TLC to the base game. The first two are DLC-linked creature additions; the Therizinosaurus changes are part of the base-game update. Studio Wildcard announced the release for Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam.
What arrived in the September 30 update?
Studio Wildcard’s announcement describes the three additions, while its server notes identify the major server release as v94.7, dated September 30, 2026. The creatures have different roles and access requirements:
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| Update | Where it belongs | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Gargantar | ARK: Dragontopia; available to Dragontopia owners | A dragon that consumes creatures and resources, grows tougher, can shelter allies, and expels acidic contents. |
| Cerberax | Fantastic Tames Season 1 | A three-headed combat hound with fire, venom, and electrical attacks, and three head-specific taming trials. |
| Therizinosaurus TLC | Base game | Revised visuals, movement, controls, combat responsiveness, and harvesting-specialization indicators. |
Sources: Studio Wildcard’s release announcement and official server patch notes.
Gargantar: the hungry dragon in ARK: Dragontopia
Studio Wildcard describes Gargantar as a colossal dragon that inhales creatures and resources and becomes tougher as it consumes them. It can keep allies inside for protection, then expel swallowed contents as acidic spit and vomit. Gargantar is available to Dragontopia owners, rather than being presented as a base-game creature.
#1 Best Overall
- ARK: Survival Ascended has completely recreated and redesigned the artwork and worlds of ARK to take advantage of the latest in videogame technology, Unreal Engine 5, using high-end graphics features such as fully dynamic Global Illumination (“Lumen”), so that light bounces realistically of off surfaces and provides realistic reflections, and advanced mesh streaming (“Nanite”) of hundreds of millions of triangles for extreme detail.
- Advanced new physics systems such as dynamic water so that every creature creates waves, ripples, splashes, and bubbles as they move through fluids, and fully interactive physical foliage where every blade of grass, bush, and tree reacts to characters, explosions, projectiles, and physics objects.
- ARK: Survival Ascended includes access to all of ARK’s worlds, including Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction, ARK Genesis Part 1, ARK Genesis Part 2, and more. The Island is released now, with the subsequent expansion worlds to be added at no additional cost on a regular basis.
- Thorough Quality of Life revamps in every area: redesigned User Interfaces, dynamic navigation for intelligent creature pathfinding, Wild Babies, Photo Mode, new Camera systems, new Map system, Tracking System, new Structures and Items, new Creatures, and much more.
- Cross-Platform Modding: Download & play new custom content created by players, including new maps, creatures, items, and game modes, through a dedicated new Mod-bowser directly within the game! Enjoy an endless stream of new ARK content as the creativity and talent of the community is fully unleashed for the first time ever across gaming platforms!
Maps listed for Gargantar
The official announcement lists Gargantar on The Center, Scorched Earth, Lost Colony, Ragnarok, Extinction, Valguero, and Astraeos. Genesis is not included in Gargantar’s listed map availability.
Cerberax: a three-headed hound in Fantastic Tames Season 1
Cerberax combines fire, venom, and electricity, with Studio Wildcard saying those attacks are deadliest in combination. Its taming is described as three separate trials, each tied to a different head: one tests a Survivor’s willingness to wrestle for control, another responds to food, and the third calls for a hunt. The studio says players can ride solo or bring tribemates to combine the creature’s power.
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The announcement lists Cerberax on The Center, Scorched Earth, Lost Colony, Ragnarok, Extinction, Valguero, Astraeos, and Genesis. Genesis is the map listed for Cerberax but not for Gargantar.
Therizinosaurus TLC: what changes in the base game
This is an update to an existing creature, not a new tame. Studio Wildcard says the TLC focuses on combat responsiveness, controls, traversal, visual progression, and personality. The v94.7 patch notes specify a model, animation, and locomotion update; six color regions; an optional turn-in-place movement toggle; and a jump.
Rank #3
- Ark graphics and worlds are completely recreated and designed to use the latest video game technology, Unreal Engine 5
- Advanced new physical systems such as dynamic water and fully interactive physical leaves
- Design your survivor, shape the trunk and tame, train, multiply and ride dinosaurs in a vivid ecosystem
- Public online mode for up to 70 players, private multiplayer mode for up to 8 players + local split screen for 2 players
The notes also add visual indicators for investment in Power and Delicate Harvesting. That makes the creature’s harvesting specialization visible, alongside its other visual and movement changes.
Do you need either DLC?
Gargantar is explicitly available to ARK: Dragontopia owners, and Cerberax is presented as part of Fantastic Tames Season 1. By contrast, the Therizinosaurus TLC is part of the base-game update. The announcement does not state prices, so check the relevant storefront for current purchase and availability details.
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Best Value
- Brand new UK Import PAL version. Game in English. UK PSN store account required to use any online features
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