Combine that with the game’s massive system requirements (over 150GB of storage) and players want to test if their PC can even run the game before buying it. This is why "free download" is such a popular search term.
Both the Epic Games Store and Steam have given the game away for free in the past (most notably during the announcement of ARK 2 and various anniversary events). If you missed these windows, the game returned to its paid model. Ark Survival Evolved Download For Pc For Free
This guide walks you through six legitimate methods, system requirements, and the differences between official versions. Combine that with the game’s massive system requirements