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Ark 2 Delays, Features, and What Gamers Should Expect

Ark 2 Delays, Features, and What Gamers Should Expect

G
GAIAJuly 8, 2025
3 min read
Gaming

If you’ve been following the saga of Ark 2 since its hype-laden debut at The Game Awards 2020, you’re likely both excited and skeptical. Delays have mounted, release targets slipped, and Studio Wildcard’s vision has only become more ambitious. Riding a T-Rex as Vin Diesel sounds awesome—but will Ark 2 actually arrive, and will it live up to its promise?

Background: From The Game Awards to Uncertain Timelines

Studio Wildcard first unveiled Ark 2 in 2020 with a late 2024 release target. However, a mid-2025 update revealed the core team would need at least 18 months of dedicated development after wrapping work on Ark: Survival Ascended and existing DLC. That pushed early access into 2027–2028 at best—a far cry from the original schedule.

Screenshot from Ark II
Screenshot from Ark II

Key Features and Development Risks

  • Unreal Engine 5 overhaul: Promises improved visuals and mechanics but raises the risk of feature creep.
  • Souls-like combat and parkour: Ambitious additions that demand precision, a challenge for a studio known for emergent chaos over tight melee.
  • Expanded mod support: An in-house system aiming to bring mod.io mods to PC and consoles could reshape the community—if it works seamlessly.
  • World events and new crafting: Enhanced storytelling and “component-based crafting” sound promising but echo past Ark pitfalls of over-promising at launch.

Vin Diesel and the Narrative Ambitions

Vin Diesel’s role as Santiago adds star power and narrative depth—but Ark’s strength lies in player-driven stories, not linear cutscenes. How much his executive producer input will affect gameplay remains to be seen.

Impact of Game Pass Exclusivity

Ark 2 will launch exclusively on Xbox Series X/S and PC via Game Pass, sidelining PlayStation at release. This split could fragment the player base and hinder mod adoption if cross-platform support stalls.

Screenshot from Ark II
Screenshot from Ark II

What Gamers Should Do Now

Patience is key. Use Ark: Survival Ascended and the thriving mod scene to fill the gap. If you value single-player narrative over multiplayer chaos, adopt a “watch-and-wait” stance when early access nears.

Screenshot from Ark II
Screenshot from Ark II

Conclusion: Balancing Hype with Patience

Ark 2 aims higher than its predecessor, with new engines, mechanics, and a blockbuster voice cast. Yet the studio’s proven “launch rough, patch later” model and shifting timelines suggest gamers should temper expectations. If delays mean a more polished release, the wait may be worth it—but keep that dino saddle ready and your patience stat maxed.

FeatureSpecification
PublisherStudio Wildcard
Early Access ETA2027–2028 (estimate)
PlatformsXbox Series X/S, PC (Game Pass)
EngineUnreal Engine 5
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