In 2023, ARK: Survival Ascended embraced user-generated content (UGC) and enabled mods originally crafted for PC to become seamlessly playable on consoles, including Xbox and PS5. Now, more than 360 million mods have been downloaded across consoles and PCs, and iconic brands like Power Rangers are going in-game via premium mods.
This session dives into the technical and creative strategies that made this cross-platform leap possible, including leveraging Unreal Engine 5 to integrate in-game mod discovery and management. Thomas Williamson of Grove Street Games and Shahar Sorek of Overwolf explain how they maintained platform security, integrated user generated patches, and leveraged Zen Loader for optimal mod packaging.
Attendees gain insights into building cross-platform compatibility, the challenges of maintaining a unified experience across different devices, and how this approach empowers game studios and creators to foster strong UGC ecosystems. This session is ideal for developers and creators looking to integrate UGC into their games.