When Studio Wildcard revealed ARK 2 at The Game Awards in December 2020, it wasn’t just another sequel announcement—it was a promise. A promise of a next-gen survival experience, leveraging Unreal Engine 5, starring Vin Diesel in a lead role, and aiming to revolutionize one of the most popular survival franchises in gaming history.
Nearly five years later, that promise feels distant. The game has missed multiple release windows—2022, then 2023, and most recently, late 2024. Now deep into 2025, with no major updates, fans are left asking: Is ARK 2 still coming in 2025? Or is this survival adventure still years away?
Let’s take a closer look at what we know, what we don’t, and what it means for ARK 2.
The Long Road to ARK 2: A Timeline of Delays and Silence
- 2020: ARK 2 is officially announced alongside an animated series, with Vin Diesel both starring as Santiago and taking on the role of Executive Producer.
- 2022: Studio Wildcard shifts the release window from 2022 to 2023, citing the need for more development time to leverage Unreal Engine 5 properly.
- 2023: Another delay is announced, pushing the game to late 2024, with Wildcard focusing on ARK: Survival Ascended, a UE5 remaster of the original ARK: Survival Evolved.
- 2024-2025: Studio Wildcard releases Survival Ascended to mixed reception but delivers a two-year roadmap stretching into late 2026. Meanwhile, ARK 2 news dries up completely.
As of March 2025, there is still no official gameplay footage, no beta announcement, and no confirmed release date. For a title originally positioned as a “launch window” exclusive for Xbox Series X|S, this extended silence is raising eyebrows.
Why Is ARK 2 Taking So Long?
Studio Wildcard has not provided detailed reasoning behind ARK 2’s repeated delays, but based on industry trends, past Wildcard behavior, and statements from key developers, several factors are likely at play:
1. Unreal Engine 5 Challenges
ARK 2 is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, a powerful but complex toolset that only recently matured enough for large-scale game production. According to Epic Games, early adopters of UE5 often face optimization and scalability issues, especially when dealing with large open-world games—exactly what ARK 2 promises.
Games like Lords of the Fallen and Fortnite have successfully launched in UE5, but they’ve also demonstrated the high technical demands involved. Wildcard is not a AAA studio in terms of size or resources, and these technical challenges could be slowing down production.
2. Rebuilding Core Gameplay
Wildcard has committed to overhauling ARK’s gameplay loop. ARK 2 is moving to third-person combat, adding Souls-like melee mechanics, and focusing on a deep narrative-driven campaign—all new territory for the studio. Such dramatic shifts from their traditional sandbox survival experience require rethinking everything from AI systems to player progression.
3. Vin Diesel’s Role as Executive Producer
Diesel isn’t just the face of Santiago; he’s reportedly an active contributor to the story and creative direction. While his passion for the franchise (he’s publicly stated he has played thousands of hours of ARK) brings excitement, it also adds another layer of complexity to development. Diesel’s involvement suggests higher stakes and a more cinematic approach, which could explain longer production timelines.
Survival Ascended: A Strategic Diversion?
If there’s one thing that has consistently defined the ARK franchise, it’s ambition outpacing execution. ARK: Survival Evolved, despite its groundbreaking concepts and enduring popularity, has always been plagued by technical problems. Many of those issues persist nearly a decade after launch, and they raise serious concerns about the development and potential release date of ARK 2.
In October 2023, Studio Wildcard released ARK: Survival Ascended, a UE5 remaster of their original game. While it brought improved graphics, performance upgrades, and quality-of-life features, it also split the community and development resources.
Survival Ascended’s roadmap extends into late 2026, with planned expansions, including reworks of The Center, Scorched Earth, and Aberration, alongside new premium content and mod support. This roadmap suggests Wildcard’s team is still heavily engaged in maintaining their current ecosystem—perhaps at the cost of ARK 2‘s pace.
Some analysts believe Survival Ascended was a stopgap measure to maintain cash flow and community interest while buying more time for ARK 2’s complex development.
A History of Persistent Bugs and Optimization Issues
Even after countless patches, expansions, and reworks, ARK: Survival Evolved and its remaster, Survival Ascended, remain notoriously buggy:
- Frequent server crashes and rollbacks, particularly on official servers.
- Poor optimization, causing frame rate drops and overheating issues, even on high-end PCs and consoles like Xbox Series X and PS5.
- AI pathfinding bugs, with creatures getting stuck or vanishing through the environment—an especially glaring issue in a game where taming and managing dinosaurs is the core loop.
- Save file corruption, often wiping out hundreds of hours of player progress.
- Multiplayer instability, with lag, rubber-banding, and connection drops still regularly reported.
These aren’t just occasional hiccups—they’re systemic issues that have frustrated players for years, despite Wildcard’s numerous promises to address them.
Why This Matters for ARK 2
On the surface, ARK 2 is aiming even higher than its predecessor:
- Souls-like melee combat in third-person.
- Narrative-driven campaigns with cinematic ambitions, starring Vin Diesel.
- Built entirely in Unreal Engine 5, with more complex AI systems and dynamic world-building.
But the reality is that Studio Wildcard has struggled to stabilize and polish their original game, even with the benefit of eight years of development, multiple expansions, and a loyal player base that has funded continued work through paid DLC and cosmetics.
This track record makes it hard to believe that Wildcard can deliver ARK 2—a bigger, bolder, and more technically demanding game—on time or in a polished state.
Development Bandwidth Is Already Spread Thin
Wildcard is currently maintaining ARK: Survival Ascended, which itself has an ambitious roadmap through 2026. That means a significant portion of their resources are still focused on patching, expansions, and community content for their existing player base. If they’re still struggling to squash bugs and optimize Survival Ascended, it’s difficult to imagine that ARK 2 is anywhere near feature-complete, let alone ready for beta testing or public gameplay reveals.
The Risk of History Repeating Itself
Studio Wildcard’s past suggests a tendency to launch early and fix later, as seen with ARK: Survival Evolved‘s rocky Early Access launch in 2015. Many fans worry that ARK 2 could face a similar fate: releasing too soon in order to capitalize on hype or meet deadlines, with unfinished features and performance issues plaguing its launch window.
And with Wildcard’s history of long silence followed by delayed content and unexpected development shifts, skepticism about ARK 2’s readiness for a 2025 release—or even 2026—is growing.
Is 2025 Still Realistic?
Short answer: unlikely.
Here’s why:
- No gameplay footage has been shown. In contrast, games like Fable 4, Avowed, and State of Decay 3, all announced around the same time, have offered more consistent updates and reveals.
- No beta or early access plans have surfaced, even though Wildcard pioneered the early access survival model with ARK: Survival Evolved in 2015.
- Wildcard’s communication has gone silent, a red flag in an industry where studios are usually eager to showcase progress at events like E3, Gamescom, or The Game Awards.
Industry insiders speculate ARK 2 might be pushed to 2026 or later, with some suggesting Wildcard could reposition it entirely—possibly as a next-gen exclusive to coincide with rumored mid-gen hardware upgrades for Xbox and PC.
What the Fans Are Saying
On Reddit, Discord, and community forums, opinions are divided:
- Some players appreciate Wildcard’s intent to avoid another bug-ridden early access launch, citing the rocky release of ARK: Survival Evolved.
- Others fear Wildcard is overpromising and under-delivering, with ARK 2 turning into vaporware or undergoing significant design reboots.
Memes about Vin Diesel’s Fast & Furious crossover jokes abound (“Family is the endgame”), but beneath the humor is a genuine concern: fans love ARK’s chaotic survival gameplay and want ARK 2 to succeed. Many remain hopeful for a Summer Game Fest 2025 reveal or an appearance at The Game Awards 2025.
What Could Make ARK 2 Worth the Wait?
If Studio Wildcard delivers on its promises, ARK 2 could be a genre-defining survival game, combining:
- Advanced AI for more lifelike dinosaur behavior
- Expanded survival mechanics, including crafting, base-building, and a dynamic weather system
- Souls-like combat that raises the bar for survival game melee systems
- A full narrative campaign starring Vin Diesel and other major voice talents
It’s clear Wildcard isn’t just iterating on the first game—they’re trying to reinvent it.
Final Thoughts: Cautious Optimism or Concern?
Game development is notoriously unpredictable, and big delays aren’t uncommon. Look at Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, or No Man’s Sky—all saw extensive delays, but each found its footing (eventually).
Wildcard has a proven track record of learning from mistakes and rallying their community. ARK 2’s silence is frustrating, but it might also be necessary. After all, great games aren’t rushed.
The bottom line:
- 2025 is possible but unlikely without a major announcement soon.
- The community should watch Summer Game Fest 2025 for potential updates.
- In the meantime, Survival Ascended remains Wildcard’s focus.
Until then, ARK 2 sits at the top of many most anticipated lists—and for good reason. If Wildcard can pull this off, it might just redefine survival games for years to come.
Key Takeaways
- Ark 2 is currently expected to release sometime in 2025, though no exact date has been confirmed.
- The game has experienced multiple delays since its announcement, with limited official information available.
- Fans can enjoy ongoing support for the original Ark while waiting for the sequel’s eventual release.
Ark 2 Game Overview
Ark 2 represents a significant evolution from its predecessor, featuring enhanced gameplay mechanics, improved visuals, and a deeper narrative experience. The game builds upon the survival elements that made the original successful while introducing new systems and features.
Gameplay Enhancements
Ark 2 is expected to introduce several major gameplay improvements over the original Ark: Survival Evolved. The sequel will likely maintain core survival elements like crafting, building, and dinosaur taming, but with more refined mechanics.
Players can anticipate a more intuitive crafting system and expanded building options. The taming process for creatures may be more complex and rewarding, with additional behaviors and uses for dinosaurs.
Combat is reportedly receiving an overhaul with Souls-like elements, suggesting more skill-based fighting rather than statistical advantages. This change could create a more engaging moment-to-moment gameplay experience.
Resource gathering and management may also see updates to create a more balanced progression system throughout the game.
Graphics and Art Style
Ark 2 is being built on Unreal Engine 5, representing a massive visual leap from the original game. This technological upgrade promises more detailed environments, realistic lighting, and improved animations.
The game’s environments are expected to feature lush forests, diverse biomes, and detailed landscapes that react to player interaction. Creature models will likely show significant improvements with more realistic behaviors and appearances.
Weather systems may be more dynamic, affecting gameplay in meaningful ways beyond visual changes. The day-night cycle could have a greater impact on creature behavior and survival mechanics.
The art style appears to balance realism with the fantastical elements that the series is known for, creating a visually striking but coherent world.
Story and Characters
Unlike the loosely connected narrative of the original game, Ark 2 seems to feature a more structured storyline. The game will star Vin Diesel as Santiago, a prominent character who appears to be central to the plot.
The story reportedly takes place on a new world with both familiar and unique challenges. Players may experience a narrative that explores deeper themes while maintaining the survival aspects of the franchise.
Character development appears to be a greater focus, with Santiago and potentially other named characters playing significant roles in the unfolding story. This suggests a shift toward more narrative-driven gameplay alongside the traditional survival elements.
The game might explore the origins of the Ark technology and provide answers to questions left open by the first game’s mysterious setting.
Release Information and Platforms
Ark 2’s release timeline has shifted multiple times since its announcement. The game will be available on several platforms with specific hardware requirements needed to run this ambitious sequel.
Launch Date
The release date for Ark 2 remains uncertain. Originally scheduled for 2022, the game has faced multiple delays. According to recent information, Ark 2 was expected to launch in late 2024, but that window has now passed without a release.
Current projections suggest Ark 2 will arrive sometime in 2025, though Studio Wildcard has not provided an official confirmation of this timeframe. The developer has been relatively quiet about specific reasons for the delays.
Fans who were anticipating playing the game by now have expressed frustration with the continued postponements. These delays likely indicate that the development team is taking extra time to polish the game’s features and mechanics.
Available Platforms
Ark 2 is confirmed for release on several gaming platforms. The game will be available on:
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (via Steam)
- Xbox Game Pass (day one release)
Notably, Ark 2 was announced as a “console launch exclusive” for Xbox Series X|S, suggesting it may eventually come to PlayStation 5 after an exclusivity period. However, no official timeline for a potential PS5 release has been shared.
Mobile versions have not been announced, though given the original Ark’s eventual release on mobile platforms, a future mobile version remains possible.
System Requirements
The official system requirements for Ark 2 have not yet been revealed by Studio Wildcard. Based on the game’s impressive visual fidelity shown in trailers and the technical demands of the original Ark: Survival Evolved, players can expect relatively high requirements.
The game is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, known for its demanding technical specifications. This suggests that players will likely need:
- A modern CPU (potentially 8+ cores recommended)
- 16GB RAM at minimum, with 32GB potentially recommended
- A current-generation graphics card with at least 8GB VRAM
- SSD storage for optimal performance
PC players should prepare for potentially significant hardware demands when official requirements are announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many Ark fans have questions about the upcoming sequel. These FAQs address the most common queries about Ark 2’s development status, gameplay features, and release timeline.
What is the expected release date for Ark 2?
As of March 2025, Ark 2 still does not have a confirmed release date. The game has experienced several delays since its initial announcement.
Despite earlier projections, Studio Wildcard has not provided a specific timeline for when players can expect the game to launch. Some community speculation suggests the game might be facing development challenges.
The lack of a clear release window has created confusion among fans who have been waiting for updates.
Can you share any updates from the latest Ark 2 gameplay reveal?
Unfortunately, there have been minimal gameplay reveals for Ark 2 in recent months. Studio Wildcard has been relatively quiet about showing actual gameplay footage.
The most recent official materials date back to earlier promotional content, which showed only limited aspects of the game. Fans are still waiting for a comprehensive gameplay demonstration.
What new dinosaur species can players anticipate in Ark 2?
Specific information about new dinosaur species in Ark 2 remains limited. Studio Wildcard has not released a comprehensive list of creatures that will appear in the game.
Early promotional materials suggested some returning favorites from the original game along with new prehistoric creatures. The exact roster remains unconfirmed at this time.
What are the known improvements or differences in Ark 2 compared to the original Ark?
Ark 2 was initially promoted as having improved graphics and more advanced AI systems for creatures. The game is being developed on Unreal Engine 5, promising significant visual upgrades.
Early announcements suggested more immersive environments and improved building mechanics. Combat systems were also mentioned to receive substantial overhauls.
The sequel reportedly aims to address many technical issues that plagued the original game, including performance problems and server stability.
Will Ark 2 support multiplayer gameplay, and if so, what features can we expect?
Ark 2 is expected to continue the multiplayer focus that made the original game popular. Studio Wildcard has indicated that cooperative and competitive multiplayer will be core components.
Tribal gameplay and clan systems are likely to return, though specific improvements to these systems have not been detailed. Cross-platform play possibilities remain unconfirmed.
Has there been an official statement on the reasons behind Ark 2’s delayed release?
Studio Wildcard has not provided detailed explanations for the ongoing delays with Ark 2. Official communications have been limited regarding specific development challenges.
Some industry observers speculate that the ambitious scope of the project may be contributing to the extended timeline. The continued development of Ark: Survival Ascended may also be affecting resources available for Ark 2.
The company appears to be focusing on updates for Ark: Survival Ascended throughout 2024 and into 2025, which might explain the shifting priorities.
