ARK: Survival Evolved (2017) Game Icons & Banners – A Comprehensive Guide

Released in 2017, ARK: Survival Evolved quickly became a beloved survival game that captivated players with its immersive open-world experience, prehistoric creatures, and crafting mechanics. One of the most interesting aspects of the game for both players and the gaming community is the use of game icons and banners. These elements play an essential role in team identity, representation, and customization within the game, adding a personal touch to the immersive survival experience. Let’s take a deeper dive into how ARK: Survival Evolved utilizes these visual elements and how you can make the most out of them.

What Are Game Icons and Banners in ARK?

In ARK: Survival Evolved, icons and banners represent tribes, players, and events. They are customizable visual elements that allow tribes (ARK’s version of player alliances) to stand out, create a unique identity, and send messages to other tribes on the server.

• Game Icons: These are used to represent player profiles, tribes, and various in-game features. Players can choose from a set of default icons, but the most dedicated fans prefer creating or uploading custom designs to fully personalize their experience.
• Banners: Banners are larger, flag-like structures that players can place around their bases or territories. These can be emblazoned with symbols or patterns that reflect the tribe’s identity, allowing them to showcase their dominance or announce their presence on the map.

Customization and Creativity in Icons & Banners

One of the main reasons players are drawn to ARK: Survival Evolved is the freedom of customization. Through in-game tools and external software, players can design and upload their own custom banners and icons. This offers the perfect opportunity for creative expression and ensures that no two tribes look exactly the same.

How to Create Custom Icons and Banners in ARK

To create a custom icon or banner in ARK: Survival Evolved, players typically use third-party image editing software like Photoshop or GIMP. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to create and upload your custom designs:

1. Create Your Design: Use an image editor to create a design in the recommended 256×256 pixel size for icons. For banners, 512×512 or higher resolutions work best.
2. Save in Correct Format: Make sure to save your design as a .PNT file, which is the format that ARK uses for painting and visual elements.
3. Upload Your Design: After your file is prepared, you can import it into the game by placing a canvas, sign, or banner in your environment and choosing the “Load” option. Paints from This Type” option. Here, you can upload your custom ARK icons or banners directly onto the structure.

Icon and Banner Uses in ARK

Icons and banners serve more than just an aesthetic function. They can be strategically used in a variety of ways:

• Tribe Identity: Represent your tribe with custom banners that showcase your group’s emblem. Whether you want to appear fearsome or welcoming, the right design can make a powerful statement.
• Territorial Marking: Use banners to claim territory on the map. This helps players distinguish which areas are controlled by certain tribes and can act as warnings or signals to others nearby.
• Events and Competitions: Many players enjoy hosting in-game events, and banners can be used to decorate areas for competitions, celebrations, or even to memorialize key battles in the game.

Famous Tribes and Iconography in ARK

Over the years, ARK: Survival Evolved has seen the rise of several famous tribes across both official and unofficial servers. Many of these tribes have become well-known not only for their skills in taming dinosaurs and surviving in hostile environments but also for their iconic banners and symbols. These visual representations help establish a tribe’s reputation across servers.

Some tribes opt for symbols inspired by real-world emblems or tribal markings, while others create entirely unique designs that reflect their in-game persona.

Why Icons and Banners Matter

Icons and banners are more than just a cosmetic feature in ARK: Survival Evolved. They help create an immersive world where every tribe, every player, and every region can have its own visual identity. This attention to detail fosters community engagement and player loyalty, making the game more personal and meaningful.

Tips for Creating Memorable Icons and Banners

To make sure your tribe’s banner stands out, here are a few helpful tips:

• Simplicity is Key: Sometimes, less is more. A simple, bold design is often more recognizable and impactful than an overly complex one.
• Color Contrast: Choose colors that contrast well with the game’s natural landscapes so that your banner is easily visible from a distance.
• Symbolism: Incorporate symbols or imagery that represent your tribe’s values or strengths. Whether it’s a fierce animal, a mythical symbol, or a minimalist pattern, ensure that it reflects who you are in the game.

Expanding the Creative Possibilities with ARK Icons & Banners

While the use of icons and banners in ARK: Survival Evolved provides a great sense of personalization and identity, there’s still so much more players can do to fully utilize these features. Let’s dive further into the creative possibilities and how players can take advantage of different tools and techniques to elevate their designs.

Expanding Icon Designs: Beyond Basics

Custom icons are not just a representation of a tribe or player; they can also reflect a player’s journey and achievements in the game. Some tribes take their icon designs to a whole new level by incorporating stories, historical references, or even themes inspired by the game itself.

• Seasonal Themes: One fun way to refresh your icon design is by changing it according to in-game seasons or real-world events. For example, designing a winter-themed icon or a Halloween-inspired symbol can bring new energy to your tribe’s look.
• Event Icons: Hosting in-game events or tournaments? You can design specific event icons to commemorate those moments, adding a touch of exclusivity to your gameplay.

Banner Placement for Maximum Impact

The positioning of your banners in ARK can have a significant effect on their visibility and the message you’re sending to other players. Consider these strategies for banner placement:

• Guarding Territory: Place banners at key entry points to your base or near strategic locations like resource spots. These banners can serve as warnings to other players that the area is under control.
• Base Aesthetic: For tribes that enjoy building intricate bases, banners can enhance the aesthetic. You can use them to decorate walls, place them at the top of towers, or create banner-lined pathways to add grandeur to your settlements.
• Marking Achievements: Another creative use of banners is to mark significant achievements or milestones your tribe has accomplished. For example, if your tribe successfully tames a rare dinosaur or defeats an Alpha boss, you could create banners to celebrate these victories, showcasing them for visitors.

Best Tools for Designing ARK Banners & Icons

Designing icons and banners may seem complicated at first, but with the right tools, it becomes easier and more enjoyable. Here are a few popular tools players use to create their artwork for ARK:

• Photoshop: Known for its versatility, Photoshop is perfect for designing detailed custom banners and icons. Its array of design tools allows you to create intricate patterns and designs that can stand out in-game.
• GIMP: For those looking for a free alternative, GIMP offers many of the same features as Photoshop and is perfect for creating high-quality designs on a budget.
• ARK Paint Converter: This tool is widely used by the ARK community to convert your images into a .PNT file format that the game accepts. It simplifies the process of uploading your designs into the game.

Taking Inspiration from Famous ARK Tribes

Many of the top tribes in ARK: Survival Evolved have already set the bar for creativity with their use of icons and banners. Take inspiration from how these tribes design their symbols and how they use banners to show off their accomplishments.

• Historical Designs: Some tribes take inspiration from real-world historical symbols, like medieval crests or ancient emblems, adding a sense of tradition to their tribe.
• Fantasy-Inspired Icons: Other tribes lean into fantasy elements, creating icons that look like something out of a mythical world. Dragons, swords, and mystical creatures are popular themes.
• Minimalist Logos: Not all banners need to be overly complex. Some of the most famous tribes use minimalist logos, where a simple shape or color pattern stands out. These designs can be memorable because they’re easy to recognize from a distance.

How Icons and Banners Build Tribe Reputation

In a game like ARK: Survival Evolved, where server-wide reputation matters, the use of icons and banners can actually contribute to how other players perceive your tribe.

• Intimidation Factor: A well-designed, imposing icon or banner can intimidate other players, signaling that your tribe is strong and not to be messed with.
• Diplomacy: Alternatively, a friendly or neutral design can help other players see your tribe as approachable, potentially opening the door for alliances and cooperation.
• Legacy: Tribes that have been on the same server for a long time often use their icons and banners as part of their legacy. Other players may recognize these designs and remember the history associated with them, creating a sense of continuity over time.

Customization Tips for New Players

If you’re new to ARK: Survival Evolved and want to start experimenting with icons and banners, here are a few tips to get you started:

• Start Simple: As a beginner, it’s best to start with a simple design. Focus on one or two elements that represent your tribe, and don’t try to make it too complicated right away.
• Use ARK Paint Templates: Many community sites offer pre-made templates that you can customize. This is a great way to get started if you’re not confident in your design skills yet.
• Experiment with Colors: Make use of contrasting colors to make your design pop in the game. Bright colors stand out better on most ARK landscapes, ensuring your banners are visible from afar.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Icons & Banners in ARK

As the game evolves, so too does the customization system in ARK. With the introduction of future updates and mods, players may have even more options to personalize their experience. From animated banners to more complex icon systems, the potential for creative expression in ARK: Survival Evolved is vast.

Whether you’re a competitive player looking to dominate the server or a casual player just wanting to express your creativity, the use of icons and banners adds a unique layer to the game. These elements give each tribe its own distinct personality and allow players to leave their mark on the vast and untamed world of ARK.

Conclusion

Game icons and banners in ARK: Survival Evolved provide a creative and strategic layer to an already rich survival game. Whether you’re using them to personalize your tribe’s identity, mark territory, or participate in in-game events, these visual elements play an essential role in shaping your experience and interaction with other players.

So, dive into the world of ARK, get creative with your designs, and let your tribe’s presence be known across the island through your custom icons and banners!

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