Dododex
ARK: Survival Evolved Companion
ARK 2
ARK 2 is the sequel of ARK: Survival Evolved being developed by Studio Wildcard being released at the end of 2024. After twelve DLCs — including five expansion packs — the popular dinosaur survival game ARK: Survival Evolved will be reimagined into a brand new game. While little is known about the game other than a handful of confirmed creatures and some gameplay mechanics, it has been highly anticipated by fans since it was announced on June 12, 2022.
ARK 2 stars Vin Diesel as Santiago, the main character of the series, and his daughter Meeka, voiced by Auli'i Cravalho. Diesel has also been brought on board as an executive producer of ARK 2. According to Studio Wildcard, he is an ARK player himself and is very familiar with the game.
Studio Wildcard founders Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak will both be closely involved with ARK 2, with Jeremy serving as the Executive Producer and Jesse serving as the Creative Director. The soundtrack will be produced by Gareth Coker, who also produced the soundtrack for ARK 1.
ARK: Survival Evolved is being rebuilt from the ground-up, and will have significant differences from the original game. ARK 2 will put more gameplay emphasis on melee combat, primitive-only weapons, and third-person-only Souls-like combat. The game will have a "very serious" tone in comparison to ARK 1.
- Release date:
- End of 2024
- Price:
- TBD
- Bundle Price:
- ARK Respawn Bundle (ARK: Survival Ascended + ARK 2) (Xbox/PC only): $49.99 USD
- Developers:
- Studio Wildcard
ARK 2 News
The latest updates about ARK 2.
ARK 2's Flexible Building System Previewed
The first preview of ARK 2's building system has been revealed, boasting a flexible system to repeat and overlap the same structures to produce a variety of buildings and cosmetic looks, similar to the popular building system in the game Valheim. This art is not just concept art — it has been confirmed by developers to be based on actual in-game builds.
Notice how ARK 2's "pillar" structure appears to be repeated throughout the builds in different angles, overlapping with other structures and the environment for different uses.
— Dododex 🦤 (@Dododex) May 20, 2023
This looks like a really flexible @Valheimgame-like building system. So excited to see this. https://t.co/7bRr1XL7Rj pic.twitter.com/VcSI0sUEAg
ARK 2 Leather Carnotaurus Saddle Concept Revealed
We get a first detailed look at what the Carno's saddle will look like. It features a very primitive look adorned with decorative feathers, horns, and a flag. This is the first confirmation of a multi-passenger saddle in ARK 2.
Community Crunch 359: ARK 2 Carnotaurus Saddle Concept and ASA Comparison!https://t.co/SAA7gH3BqK pic.twitter.com/lGhSgLyy46
— ARK: Survival Evolved (@survivetheark) April 29, 2023
ARK 2 Delayed Until the End of 2024
Studio Wildcard released an ARK 2 roadmap, announcing that ARK 2 will be pushed back from its original "2023" release date to the end of 2024. The game is still set to launch on Xbox, Game Pass, and PC. Citing the need for further development time to harness the full potential of Unreal Engine 5, the studio aims to deliver an exceptional gaming experience. While no gameplay or screenshots for ARK 2 will be released in 2023, players can expect regular updates and asset showcases.
In the meantime, Studio Wildcard plans to create an intermediary Unreal Engine 5 ARK product called ARK: Survival Ascended. This separate product will include cross-platform modding and multiplayer, but will not be backward compatible due to significant UE5 design changes. The decision to develop this intermediary product aims to provide players with a next-gen version of the original ARK experience while anticipating the sequel's release.
- Official servers will sunset in August for the original ARK 1
— Dododex 🦤 (@Dododex) March 31, 2023
- $50 bundle for ARK: Survival Ascended + ARK 2 (Xbox/PC). PS5 will be $40 without ARK 2.
- Map passes will be sold separate
- ARK Animated Series in post-production, 14 episodes
- Rhyniognatha coming in June
Sabertooth Confirmed for ARK 2
The Sabertooth is confirmed to be coming in ARK 2.
Introducing Sabertooth: The Prowling Hunter#playARK #ARK2 pic.twitter.com/jhl7upsNYU
— ARK: Survival Evolved (@survivetheark) March 31, 2023
ARK Franchise Roadmap Confirmed Coming on March 31, 2023
Studio Wildcard founder Jeremy Stieglitz tweeted on March 19 that the 2023 ARK franchise roadmap will be coming on March 31. It will likely include details about ARK 1, ARK 2, and ARK: The Animated Series.
The ARK 2023 roadmap post is coming on March 31 specifically, hang in there beloved fans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Jeremy Stieglitz (@jeremystieglitz) March 19, 2023
Araneomorphus Confirmed
A large spider called the Araneomorphus has been confirmed for ARK 2. The creature is labeled as the "last remnant of an ancient power." This is the second brand new creature we see that wasn't already part of ARK 1.
Community Crunch 353: ARK 2 Araneomorphus Concept, Extinction on Switch, and More!https://t.co/sbuJAphxSA#ARK2 #playARK pic.twitter.com/GxkIjW4ztY
— ARK: Survival Evolved (@survivetheark) March 17, 2023
ARK 2 Weapon Modding System Concept Released
In Studio Wildcard's weekly Community Crunch blog post, the developer shared a preview of the weapon modding system in ARK 2 that will allow players to customize the looks and functions of weapons. This is the first look we get at potential resources and items in the game. The sets of items appear to have three tiers — a bone and wood "survivor set", an Aratai set likely acquired from the PVE race, and a more advanced scrap metal set. The concept continues the primal-like style we've seen in past trailers and imagery.
Carnotaurus and Microraptor Confirmed
Studio Wildcard released concept art featuring the Carnotaurus and an unidentified therapod that may be a Microraptor or a similar dinosaur.
Roadmap Announcement Coming in March
Studio Wildcard posted a short update saying that ARK's development roadmap of "all iterations of the ARK Franchise" will be coming next month. This is likely referring to the upcoming Unreal Engine 5 ARK 1 update, ARK 2, and could potentially mean the ARK Animated Series.
Stegosaurus and Brachiosaurus Confirmed
Studio Wildcard confirms two new dinosaurs for ARK 2: the Stegosaurus and the first creature we've seen that doesn't already exist in ARK 1: The Brachiosaurus.
Ankylosaurus Confirmed
A tweet by Studio Wildcard confirms the beloved rock-smashing Ankylosaurus will return to ARK 2.
ARK 2 Features
- Third-person only gameplay
- Multiplayer, online co-op, and single player
- Interactive character movement and traversal mechanics, including free-climbing, sliding, swinging, and parkour-like maneuver like mantling
- Souls-like melee combat allowing players to block, dodge, target-lock, and special attacks
- Module-based weapon and gear crafting to customize your own unique item's appearance and function
- Cosmetic item customizations when using regional resources when crafting
- Dynamic world events throughout a massive, mysterious world called "Arat" that can reward players
- Localized weather and storm events
- Hostile "Aratai" PVE race that will attack players while riding dinosaurs
- Character progression and skill system to unlock active abilities, perks, and passive benefits
- Experience points from gameplay and knowledge points by completing objectives and challenges
- Building templates to save and share structure designs
- Co-op structure building with blueprints
- Sensory-based dinosaur AI for more realistic hunting using sight, sound, and smell
- Improved dynamic pathfinding allowing dinosaurs to traverse and maneuver around obstacles and player-build structures
- Improved rendering and performance to allow for building large structures
- Realistic day and night cycles and improve lighting and shadows
- Realistic graphics including foliage phsyics that react to movement and realistic water flow
- Full cross-platform modding support (both on official and unoffical servers), allowing players to create custom creatures, items, maps, and gameplay mechanics
How much will ARK 2 cost?
The standalone price of ARK 2 has not yet been announced. The ARK Respawned Bundle, which includes both ARK: Survival Ascended and ARK 2, is priced at $49.99 USD. After one year, ARK: Survival Ascended and ARK 2 will be sold separately, but the individual pricing for ARK 2 has not yet been announced.
When is ARK 2's release date?
ARK 2 will be released at the end of 2024. When ARK 2 was first announced in December 2020, the release date was originally "2022," but after a new trailer was released on June 12, 2022, it revealed that the new ARK 2 release date would be 2023. In June of 2022, Xbox tweeted a list of games, including ARK 2, that will be coming to Xbox "within the next 12 months," indicating that ARK 2 would be released in the first half of 2023. No further timing information on the release date has been provided. On March 31st, 2023, Studio Wildcard annoucned that ARK 2 was delayed until the end of 2024.
Will ARK 2 be multiplayer?
Yes, ARK 2 is confirmed to include online multiplayer, online co-op, and single player.
Which platforms will ARK 2 be on?
It has been confirmed that ARK 2 will be available on PC (Steam) and will be exclusive to Xbox on console. It hasn't officially been confirmed when it will come to PlayStation. The June 2022 announcement said that Studio Wildcard is partnering with Grove Street Games to co-develop ARK 2 and update ARK on Nintendo Switch. While they're confirmed to be revamping ARK 1, it seems clear that ARK 2 will be coming to Nintendo Switch as well.
Will ARK 2 be made with Unreal Engine 5?
It has been officially confirmed that ARK 2 is being made with Unreal Engine 5.
Will Dododex support ARK 2?
Yes! With so little information about the game, it's unclear what a Dododex for ARK 2 would even look like, but Dododex plans to support ARK 2. Stay tuned for more information.
ARK 2 Trailer
The first ARK 2 trailer was released on December 10, 2020 at the 2020 Game Awards.
The second ARK 2 trailer was released on June 12, 2022.
ARK 2 Logo
ARK 2 Confirmed Dinosaurs
The Triceratops, Brontosaurus, Parasaur, and Ankylosaurus were not explictely confirmed, but were seen in cave drawings in the trailer.
