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The Center: REBORN - Redux

Currently, these are the only areas that have been overhauled or tweaked:

• Lava Island (In Progress)
  
• Northern Tropical Island (Mostly Complete)

For a more specific and in-depth overview, check out the guide! It's got everything you need to know!

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2877297102

And with that out of the way...


...man, where do I even begin?

…

Oh the Center, you were my very first map. My first introduction to Ark. So many fond memories were made. Memories of me learning and experiencing what this janky ass game had to offer. I was hooked, I was awestruck. It was magical. The Center, you're special to me.
As the years went by and more maps were released, I found myself neglecting the Center. Not out of ill will or anything, but it just didn’t have much to offer anymore. It’s still a fantastic map, but its edge has dulled. Its age has shown. There’s this distinct and ever present lack of polish that’s almost entirely unique to it. Not many maps share the same lighting or weather issues. Not many maps have the absolute worst water textures known to ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ man. This is what the Center is now. An old map that’s been lost to time. It sticks out like a sore thumb now and it makes me sad. It’s in dire need of some TLC.

So that’s where I come in! I’ve taken it upon myself to spruce up the Center as best as I can. Make it as good as I remember. Scraping off the rust and letting all that beauty and wonder resurface. So many people are put off by the issues prevailing this map and, although understandable, it’s unfortunate. They won’t get to experience what this map has to offer. They won’t get to experience the absolute adventure that is the Center.

So welcome, everyone! Welcome to ‘The Center: REBORN’! A very personal mod dedicated to bringing my personal favorite map back into the spotlight!

So what does this mod do? Does it cram every DLC creature into it? Does it rip its lands apart and stitch them back together? It’s a bit hard to say. In simple terms, this mod aims to refine and reimagine what’s already there. And if there's nothing there? Just make something up! Improvise! Work with nearby areas! Blend together seamlessly with plants, rocks, crystals! There's a lot I can do and suggestions are *always* welcome.


So, for those unaware, the old version of 'The Center: REBORN' was plagued by an especially debilitating bug. Basically, whenever you tried to use that mod on a server you'd just get a black screen. You couldn't move or just... do anything, really. I couldn't figure out why it was even a thing! I made lots of changes and tried to fix it many times but just... nothing! It never left! So... this bug absolutely DESTROYED my will to continue modding and I just kinda fell outta it. I was thrown into this horrible funk for the longest time... at least until recently.
I have decided to remake 'The Center: REBORN'! From scratch!!! Everything from the previous version of this mod will make its way into this version one way or the other so don't you worry!
My reasoning for this is that, well, I didn't know where to start when it came to fixing the black screen bug. There were just too many variables. The bug became a thing when I released the mega update for the Underworld and it was just too friggin' much to sort through. There weren't any ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ leads. With the new version of the mod I'll make DAMN sure that something like that never happens again. I was a lot newer to modding back then and as a result I made a bunch of dumb mistakes. Now I'm more epic and taking things a lot more seriously. My workflow's improved and just... yeah! This was what was easiest for me to do and I hope you all understand!


There are a good deal of things that CANNOT be alleviated:

• Weathers issues such as too much rain or lightning that doesn’t go away. It might be possible but I just can’t seem to figure it out.
  
• Tethering issues regarding Non-Dedicated Servers like teleporting to the host when they enter any body of water. Just not possible with a map extension, unfortunately.
  
• Flickering lights during sunsets/sunrises. I can’t edit the sun, sadly.
  
• The way the sun just PIERCES through most of the terrain. Still can’t edit the sun :pensive:.

But there are a ton of things that CAN be:

• Janky ass terrain with weird collision detection. I can just remake them!
  
• Archaic, dated assets that just look ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ terrible lmao. Like bro. Those cellophane rivers? Like. Lmao. There are so many new assets from newer maps that just look gorgeous! I’mma steal!
  
• Lack of biome diversity in certain areas like the Lava Island. That place is just barren and boring. Just burnt trees and carnivores for miles. Lame! Time to split it apart into unique little sub-biomes!
  
• ♥♥♥♥♥♥ ass post-process effects that prevent you from seeing literally anything. Remember the ocean in the Underworld? Literally what is that water effect? There’s no reason for it to be this blue, foggy mess. It’s not immersive or realistic, it’s just bad. Time to make it much clearer!
  
• Lack of DLC resources like salt, sand, fungal wood, shell fragments, and gems. They’re just so important to have nowadays! So many cool DLC engrams require stuff you can’t get on the Center.
  
• Lack of DLC creatures. This one is a bit of a tricky one. Not every DLC creature is going to be added to the map. Only a select few! I’ll only be adding ones that are either: A) Real-life animals, B) Low-fantasy creatures with real life analogues (like roll rats or morellatops), or C) Ones I personally find extremely fitting (like megachelons). I know this is kind of, like, really not specific, but I’ll explain my reasoning in the creature roster.
  
• No unique creatures! Every map besides the Center has at least a few unique creatures, whether it be a unique boss (like the Overseer) or re-skinned lads (like aberrant variants). Soon I’ll be releasing a companion mod titled ‘TCR Additions’ that adds in a new creature type called the C-Variant. Each C-Variant will have unique patterns, colors, and abilities not found in their vanilla counterparts.
  
• And more! Much, much, MUCH more! There’s just so much I can do with this map!

Notes:

• This is a map EXTENSION, not a map. Do NOT try using this mod on a map that isn't the Center. Nothing bad will happen. It'll just… not work properly. Just. Don't lmao.
  
• This mod is clean and stackable! Removing it will just cause my tweaks and additions to revert or disappear.