ARK: Survival Evolved, a survival game released in 2017, is known for its massive open world filled with dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures. Beyond its thrilling gameplay, a strong sense of personalization and tribe identity is built into the game’s mechanics. Game icons and banners play a critical role in this, allowing players to represent their tribes, servers, and personal brand within the game.
In this article, we’ll dive into the importance of these visual elements, where to find them, and how to create your own ARK: Survival Evolved (2017) game icons and banners to customize your ARK experience.
1. The Role of Icons and Banners in ARK: Survival Evolved
In a game as dynamic as ARK, where collaboration and competition among players are central, icons and banners serve a vital purpose. These visual assets help to identify and differentiate tribes, communicate alliances, and enhance immersion. Banners and icons also serve as tools for self-expression, giving players and server administrators a way to add a personal or professional touch to their game environment.
- Tribe Representation: Tribe icons and banners help players easily identify each other. Whether you’re a small group or a large tribe, a custom icon is a great way to showcase your collective identity in the game.
- Server Branding: Server hosts and administrators use custom banners and icons to advertise their servers and create a unique branding style. These assets can be displayed on server lists, helping potential players choose a server that matches their style and preferences.
- Base Personalization: Banners can also be used to decorate bases or flags, giving a player’s in-game structures a unique touch.
2. Creating Custom ARK Icons and Banners
Customization is a big part of ARK, and creating your own icons and banners adds a personal flair to your experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make your own ARK: Survival Evolved (2017) game icons and banners.
Using External Software
Many players use graphic design software such as Photoshop or GIMP to design their tribe icons and banners. This method offers flexibility in design, as you can incorporate logos, custom images, and text.
- Image Dimensions: Ensure your design matches ARK’s image size requirements, especially if you are planning to upload them as mods or use them on signs and flags in-game.
- File Format: Most designs should be saved in .PNT format, ARK’s supported file type for images, before uploading them into the game.
In-Game Creation Tools
If you’re looking for a quick design option, ARK provides in-game tools like the “Paintbrush” or “Spray Painter” that allow you to paint directly on structures or flags. This feature is less detailed than using graphic design software, but it’s a fun way to design in real-time.
- Painting Flags and Signs: Players can manually paint their banners using dyes or pre-made pixel art. It’s a creative way to add some personality to your base, though it’s time-consuming and limited by the in-game painting mechanics.
3. Where to Find ARK Icons and Banners
Not everyone has the time or skill to create custom icons from scratch, and luckily, the ARK community offers a wide variety of pre-made icons and banners available for download. Here are a few key resources:
- Steam Workshop: Steam’s extensive community includes a range of user-created mods and assets, including custom tribe icons, server banners, and more. Players can find thousands of assets tailored specifically for ARK’s game environment.
- ARK Community Forums: Many ARK forums feature threads where players share their custom artwork, including tribe logos, banners, and icons. You can either download these or get inspiration for your own designs.
- Discord Communities: ARK Discord groups often have sections for asset sharing, where users exchange custom game icons and banners. It’s also a great place to request designs from more experienced creators.
4. Tips for Effective Icon and Banner Design
When creating or choosing icons and banners, consider the following tips to make sure your visuals stand out:
- Keep It Simple: Especially for tribe icons, it’s important to design something that remains clear and recognizable, even at smaller sizes.
- Color Contrast: High contrast between colors ensures that your icon or banner remains visible and easily identifiable in the game’s varied environments.
- Theme Consistency: Align your designs with your tribe’s or server’s theme. For example, if you are running a PvP server with a medieval theme, a banner featuring swords or shields would enhance the immersion.
5. How Icons and Banners Impact the ARK Community
The visual representation of tribes and servers goes beyond aesthetics. Custom icons and banners foster a sense of community and pride among tribe members. In multiplayer environments, having a well-designed banner can set your tribe apart, showcasing your creativity and commitment to the game.
For server administrators, professionally designed icons and banners improve the server’s appeal and increase player retention. Players often gravitate toward servers with a professional look and feel, associating quality graphics with well-managed communities.
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Conclusion
The world of ARK: Survival Evolved extends beyond gameplay and into the realm of creativity with game icons and banners. Whether you’re decorating your base, promoting your server, or creating a unique tribe identity, these visual elements enhance the overall experience. With plenty of tools and community resources available, you can easily find or create the perfect icons and banners to represent your tribe or server.
So, take your ARK: Survival Evolved adventure to the next level by crafting or adopting custom icons and banners that reflect your unique style!
