Ark 2 is Studio Wildcard's highly anticipated sequel set on the alien planet Arat, targeting a 2028 release on Xbox Series X and PC via Unreal Engine 5.
Introduction
Ark 2 is the game that millions of players have been waiting for for years. Studio Wildcard first announced the game in 2020, and since then it has been one of the most talked about topics in the gaming world. This game is the official sequel to the popular series ARK: Survival Evolved but this time everything will be presented in a completely new way.
In the first game, you fought for survival on an unknown island. This time, you will step foot on a mysterious alien planet Arat where dinosaurs, dangerous enemies, and a completely new story await you.
Release Date When will it come out?
This question is on every player’s mind. Studio Wildcard has issued a statement on the Epic Games Store confirming that Ark 2 has a release window of 2028. Remember that the game was originally supposed to come out in 2023 then it kept getting delayed. The target is now set for 2028. Studio Wildcard co-founder Jeremy Stieglitz has also presented a full roadmap for the next two years that will gradually introduce the story and mechanics of Ark 2 through ARK: Survival Ascended.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Description | Detailed Information |
| Expected Release | 2028 |
| Developer | Studio Wildcard |
| Publisher | Snail Games |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| First Announcement | The Game Awards 2020 |
Platforms Where can you play?
Ark 2 is being developed in partnership with Microsoft Gaming. So the game will be an Xbox Series X exclusive from release day meaning it will only be available on Xbox and PC. The game will also be included in Xbox Game Pass from day one which is great news for Xbox players.
What about PS5?
Studio Wildcard hasn’t made any clear statements about PS5 yet. However, the game is only a “console launch exclusive” meaning it could also come to PS5 after a certain period of time. ARK: Survival Evolved also came to PS4, so there’s hope.
Nintendo Switch 2?
No confirmation yet but older ARK games have come to Switch, so the possibility of a Switch 2 release in the future can’t be ruled out.
| Platform Availability | Status |
|---|---|
| Xbox Series X | Available from launch day Exclusive |
| PC (Windows) | Available from launch day |
| Xbox Game Pass | Available from day one |
| PS5 | Coming later Not confirmed |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Uncertain |
The story where will it begin?
The story of Ark 2 begins after the events of Genesis: Part 2 the fifth and final DLC for ARK: Survival Evolved. At the end of that DLC, the Genesis Ship breaks into two parts. One part crashes into a gas planet, and the other is left hanging in space. At the last moment, a clone of Santiago awakens from his coma and is thrown onto a mysterious Earth-like planet and it is this planet Arat that will be where the story of Ark 2 will take place.
The expansion ARK: Lost Colony, released in December 2025, is directly connected to the story of Ark 2. It includes characters like Santiago’s daughter Meeka, who introduces the world of Ark 2.
Vin Diesel is he still involved?
This is the most interesting and complex topic of Ark 2. When the game was announced in 2020, Vin Diesel the actor famous for Fast and The Furious was cast as the main character Santiago. He was also named “President of Creative Convergence” at Studio Wildcard. According to Microsoft, Vin Diesel is an avid player of ARK: Survival Evolved and has spent over 1,000 hours playing the game. Studio Wildcard CEO Doug Kennedy said that he is providing direct feedback on the game’s development. But in the latest update, Jeremy Stieglitz said: “The story of the game depends on how much time Vin Diesel can give — and that’s still an open question.” He added: “If Vin Diesel gives more time, the story will go one way, and if he gets less time, the story will go the other way.” — meaning the game’s entire narrative is still not finalized.
Gameplay What’s new?
This is the part that makes Ark 2 completely different from its predecessor. Studio Wildcard has announced several major changes:
Souls-Like Combat
The biggest change is that Ark 2 will feature Dark Souls-style melee combat. This will include:
- Target Lock — lock on to the enemy
- Block — block an attack
- Dodge — dodge
- Combos — hit repeatedly
- Staggers — stagger the enemy
- Special Attacks — special attacks
Character movement
The game will have strict third-person mechanics and the character will be able to move in several ways:
- Sliding — slide
- Swinging — swing
- Free Climbing — free climbing
- Mantling — climb up
- Parkour — overcome obstacles
Weapon crafting system
You can design your own weapons and tools by combining different modules. There will be millions of possible combinations, and the materials will affect both the appearance and performance of the weapon.
Living world
The world of Arat will continue to move automatically dynamic world events will continue to happen without your consent. You can participate in them if you want, or not but every decision will have its own consequences.
Primitive Weapons
This time around, the game will focus on primitive-only weaponry meaning ancient weapons will be more important than modern firearms.
Mod support
Studio Wildcard has confirmed that Ark 2 will feature cross-platform mod support via mod.io. This means:
- Mods will work on both PC and Xbox
- Players will be able to create new dinosaurs, characters, items, and maps
- Modded servers will also be supported
This feature will extend the lifespan of the game many times over just like the first ARK game.
ARK: Lost Colony The Road to Ark 2
The ARK: Lost Colony expansion, due out in December 2025, isn’t just DLC it’s a prequel to Ark 2. According to Jeremy Stieglitz, this expansion:
- Connects directly to the story of Ark 2
- Tests out new mechanics from Ark 2
- Introduces new characters like Santiago’s daughter Meeka
It will also be followed by the Legacy of Santiago expansion, which will be released for Ark: Survival Ascended in late 2027 and it will take Ark 2 very close.
Early Access Try it first?
The co-founder of Studio Wildcard hopes that Ark 2 could launch in Early Access just like ARK: Survival Evolved came to Early Access via Xbox Game Preview in 2015. This will give Studio Wildcard a chance to get player feedback and improve the game a long-standing tradition for the series.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons / Concerns |
|---|---|
| Uses Unreal Engine 5 | Long wait until 2028 |
| Souls-like combat offers a fresh experience | Vin Diesel involvement uncertain |
| Cross-platform mod support | PlayStation 5 version not confirmed yet |
| Available on Xbox Game Pass from day one | No gameplay shown so far |
| Vast and living world of Arat | Multiple delays have already happened |
| Millions of weapon combinations | May be incomplete in Early Access |
FAQs
Question: When will Ark 2 be released?
Answer: Studio Wildcard has given a release window of 2028. The exact date has not been announced yet.
Question: Will it be free?
Answer: The game will not be free, but Xbox Game Pass subscribers will be able to play from day one.
Question: Will progress carry over from previous ARK players?
Answer: No information has been given yet.
Question: Will it have multiplayer?
Answer: Studio Wildcard has not confirmed multiplayer, but it is a must-have feature in the ARK series.
Question: How big will Vin Diesel’s role be?
Answer: That’s not yet decided according to the studio, it depends on how much time Vin Diesel can commit.
Final Opinion
Ark 2 is undoubtedly one of the biggest gaming events of the coming years. The combination of the power of Unreal Engine 5, Souls-like combat, a vast open world, and mod support could make it a game-changer.
But there’s also the fact that there’s still no gameplay footage shown, Vin Diesel’s involvement is uncertain, and 2028 is still a long way off. Patience is essential given Studio Wildcard’s delay history. Players who continue to play ARK: Lost Colony and Legacy of Santiago they’ll slowly be introduced to the world of Ark 2. And when the game does arrive in 2028 hopefully it’ll be worth the wait. Learn more
