# GoPlayDOT vs Ark Nova

The clearest difference is price: GoPlayDOT at Free against Ark Nova's $10.99. GoPlayDOT also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Ark Nova's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and chart position (#22 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

GoPlayDOT is free to download; Ark Nova costs $10.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

GoPlayDOT ships an update every 4 months, Ark Nova fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GoPlayDOT | Ark Nova |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $10.99 |
| Rating | — | **[4.8 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | — | 72.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | — | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#22** |
| Size | 54 MB | 682 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GoPlayDot IVS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1035941768) | [Dire Wolf Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/815343758) |

## What reviewers say

### GoPlayDOT

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goplaydot/id1035941769)

**In-app purchases:** none


### Ark Nova

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549)

**Currently charting:** #22 Top Paid · Board, #77 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Design and manage a modern zoo to support global conservation efforts. Build enclosures, house animals, and utilize unique cards for special abilities. Compete to create the most successful zoological establishment.

**Highlights:** Plan and design a modern zoo, Build enclosures and accommodate animals, Support global conservation projects, Utilize 255 unique cards (animals, specialists, projects), Upgrade action cards for gameplay, Increase zoo appeal and scientific reputation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great implementation overall
- 👍 Lots of fun
- 👍 Good animations
- 👍 Choice of modes
- 👍 Clean, modern and enjoyable design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Tile placement/rotation issues on iPad
- 🐛 Building placement UI issues
- 👎 Difficult to read board state on mobile
- 👎 Lack of simultaneous view for key game info
- 👎 Cumbersome to create games with friends

**Reported bugs**

- iPad Flash exit issue
- Rewards screen being blocked by other UI elements

**Requested features**

- Option to enable larger UI buttons for modal panels
- Full screen mode
- Option to reverse zoom direction
- Improved card readability/zoom


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GoPlayDOT free?

GoPlayDOT is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Ark Nova free?

Ark Nova costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do GoPlayDOT or Ark Nova have ads?

Neither GoPlayDOT nor Ark Nova shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GoPlayDOT or Ark Nova?

GoPlayDOT ships an update every 4 months, and Ark Nova fortnightly. Most recently, GoPlayDOT was updated on September 27, 2026 and Ark Nova on October 14, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*