ARK: Survival Evolved (2017) Game Icons Banners – Complete Guide

ARK: Survival Evolved burst onto the gaming scene in 2017, captivating players with its unique blend of survival mechanics, dinosaur encounters, and an open-world environment teeming with dangers and discoveries. For players and fans, game icons and banners have become an essential part of the experience, serving not just as visual elements but as symbols that represent their adventures and achievements. In this guide, we’ll delve into everything you need to know about ARK: Survival Evolved (2017) game icons banners, how to use them, customize them, and even create your own.

What is ARK: Survival Evolved?

ARK: Survival Evolved is a survival game developed by Studio Wildcard that drops players onto a mysterious island called ARK, where they must survive by hunting, gathering resources, crafting items, and building shelters—all while taming or fighting prehistoric creatures. The game emphasizes exploration, cooperation, and strategy, as players encounter over 100 different dinosaur species, mythical creatures, and even hostile human tribes.

Released in 2017, ARK has garnered a massive fan base due to its captivating graphics, expansive environments, and multiplayer capabilities. Its rich customization options, including icons and banners, allow players to make the game their own, and these visual assets have become a beloved part of the game’s community culture.

The Role of Game Icons and Banners in ARK

In ARK: Survival Evolved, game icons and banners serve several purposes, both functional and aesthetic. Here’s a breakdown of their roles:

1. Identification
   • Game icons help players quickly identify items, creatures, and tools in the game, adding efficiency to their gameplay. For instance, icons can display important details like the health, type, and level of creatures or represent various inventory items for faster recognition.
2. Personalization and Clan Identity
   • Banners allow players to personalize their game experience. In ARK, you can create banners that represent your tribe, clan, or even your in-game achievements. This not only adds a sense of pride but helps strengthen team unity in multiplayer sessions.
3. In-Game Strategy
   • Banners and icons can be used to mark territories, signal threats, or designate safe zones. By strategically placing banners around your base, you can create a system of visual cues that help tribe members understand the layout and objectives.

Types of Icons in ARK: Survival Evolved

There are various types of icons used throughout ARK, each with a distinct purpose. Here are the primary types:

1. Creature Icons
   • Every creature in ARK has a specific icon that shows its likeness, attributes, and rarity. Creature icons are essential in identifying which creatures to tame and which to avoid, especially when facing high-level predators.
2. Inventory Icons
   • Inventory icons help players manage their resources, such as weapons, armor, food, and crafting materials. These icons make it easy to navigate the inventory quickly without needing to hover over each item.
3. Map and Location Icons
   • These icons are used on the game’s in-built map, representing critical areas such as spawn points, water sources, resource locations, and safe zones. They help players navigate and strategize while exploring ARK’s vast landscapes.
4. Status Icons
   • Status icons convey information about the player’s health, stamina, hunger, and other vital stats. They are crucial for survival, as they remind players to keep their character in optimal condition.
5. Achievement Icons
   • These are awarded upon completing specific tasks or challenges in the game. Achievement icons show players’ progress and skill level, often serving as a point of pride within the gaming community.

Types of Banners in ARK: Survival Evolved

Banners in ARK: Survival Evolved are not just decorative; they play a significant role in personalizing the gaming experience. Here’s how players can utilize different types of banners:

1. Tribe Banners
   • These banners symbolize a group or clan within the game. Players can customize them with colors, patterns, and symbols to represent their group’s identity.
2. Customizable Wall Banners
   • Wall banners are customizable with various designs. Players can create artwork that reflects their tribe’s achievements or goals, adding a personal touch to their bases.
3. Base and Territory Markers
   • Banners can also be used to mark claimed territories, establishing a visual boundary that warns other players to keep out.
4. Event Banners
   • During certain in-game events, ARK releases special banners that players can display. These seasonal banners add a celebratory touch and often become collector’s items for dedicated players.

How to Customize Icons and Banners in ARK

Customization is one of the game’s standout features. Here’s a step-by-step guide on creating and using custom icons and banners in ARK:

1. Customizing Icons

• While the default icons in ARK are preset, advanced players use mods to customize their in-game icons, especially on PC. Custom icons can represent unique items or characters that players introduce through mods, enhancing immersion.

2. Creating Custom Banners

• Custom banners can be designed using in-game materials and the painting feature, allowing players to add text, images, and symbols. Here’s how:
  1. Gather Dye – To paint your banner, you need dyes, which can be crafted from berries and water.
  2. Choose a Canvas – Select the wall or floor canvas you want to paint.
  3. Paint the Banner – Use the paintbrush to apply the dye to your chosen design.
  4. Finalize the Design – Save your design once it’s complete, allowing others to view your unique creation.

Popular Mods for Icons and Banners

The ARK modding community is extensive, offering players endless ways to enhance their gameplay experience. Here are some popular mods focused on icons and banners:

1. ARK Paint
   • This mod provides high-quality textures for banners, giving players more vibrant and detailed options for creating custom designs.
2. Improved Icon Mods
   • Mods like “Item Sorting Helper” allow players to organize inventory icons more effectively, adding custom icons for new items and resources.
3. Tribe Banner Packs
   • These mods offer pre-made designs that players can quickly use to represent their tribe or team.
4. Player-Created Templates
   • The modding community often shares templates for banners and icons, including tribal symbols, team emblems, and even iconic ARK creatures.

Tips for Effective Icon and Banner Use in ARK

1. Keep Icons Organized
   • Ensure your inventory icons are organized for quick access during intense gameplay, especially in combat or survival situations.
2. Use Banners for Navigation
   • Banners can act as landmarks, helping tribe members locate critical areas like resource zones, spawn points, or meeting places.
3. Share Your Designs
   • Many players share their custom banner designs on forums or social media platforms. This is a great way to get inspiration and show off your unique creations.
4. Experiment with Dye Combinations
   • Using different dye combinations can yield exciting color schemes for banners. Experimenting with shades can lead to memorable and unique designs that stand out in the game.
5. Stay Updated with Mods
   • The modding community frequently updates icon and banner mods. Staying updated ensures compatibility with game updates and access to new design options.

The Cultural Impact of Icons and Banners in ARK’s Community

Icons and banners in ARK: Survival Evolved have transcended mere visuals to become a part of the game’s social fabric. From players creating tribe logos to sharing custom banners online, these elements have fostered a sense of creativity and community among ARK fans. Clans often adopt shared symbols, building identities around their banners that other players come to recognize, respect, or sometimes fear.

Moreover, banners play a significant role in multiplayer servers, where they signify allegiance, warn intruders, and mark territories. Many ARK players also use their custom icons and banners as avatars on social platforms, further solidifying their in-game identities.

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Conclusion

In ARK: Survival Evolved (2017), game icons and banners are far more than decorative elements. They represent identity, strategy, and community within the game’s vast world. Whether you’re a lone survivor or part of a massive tribe, customizing your icons and banners is an excellent way to express yourself and enhance your experience.

Through the creative use of mods and in-game tools, players can push their customization even further, making ARK not just a survival game but a canvas for personal expression. So, dive into ARK’s world of icons and banners, and start creating designs that will make your mark on the island!