If you’re a long-time Ark: Survival Evolved fan counting down the days to the sequel’s launch, you’ve almost certainly asked how long will Ark 2 be exclusive to its initial launch platforms. The original Ark built its massive fanbase across every major console and PC storefront, so it’s no surprise players on PlayStation, Switch, and other systems are anxious to know when they can jump into the dinosaur-filled survival world. I’ve been following Ark 2’s development closely since its first announcement, and I’ve dug through every official statement, developer Q&A, and industry leak to pull together all the confirmed and rumored details you need to plan for launch.
Confirmed Details on How Long Will Ark 2 Be Exclusive at Launch
First, let’s get the confirmed official info out of the way, straight from Studio Wildcard and Xbox’s public statements. Ark 2 will launch first on Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, with day one access for all Xbox Game Pass subscribers. The official console exclusivity window for Ark 2 is 12 full months from its global launch date. That means no PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, or Nintendo Switch versions will be available during that first year, no matter how many petitions or social media posts fans make.
It’s important to note this exclusivity only applies to console platforms, not PC storefronts. You’ll be able to buy Ark 2 on Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Windows Store on launch day, no restrictions there. I’ve seen a lot of misinformation floating around online that the exclusivity applies to PC too, but that’s 100% false. The deal only limits what consoles the game can release on for the first year. If you’ve been asking how long will Ark 2 be exclusive because you were hoping to play with friends on PlayStation at launch, you’ll have to wait until the exclusivity window ends to do that.
Factors That Could Change the Ark 2 Exclusivity Window
While the 12-month window is the official confirmed plan, there are a few rare scenarios that could lead to that timeline shifting slightly, either shorter or longer. It’s not common for major exclusivity deals to change, but it has happened with other high-profile game launches in the past, so it’s worth keeping these in mind if you’re holding out for a non-Xbox release. First, delays to the initial Ark 2 launch could push back the end of the exclusivity window. If Studio Wildcard pushes the game’s release back six months to fix bugs or add more content, the 12-month exclusivity timer doesn’t start until the game actually launches, not the original planned date. That’s a big one for fans who have already been waiting years for the sequel to drop.
Another possible factor is changes to the partnership between Studio Wildcard and Xbox. If the two companies renegotiate their deal for any reason, we could see the exclusivity window extended to bring more value to Game Pass subscribers, or cut short if the studio decides they want to reach a wider audience faster. The only scenario that would lead to a significantly shorter window is if the game massively underperforms on Xbox and PC, but given the size of the Ark fanbase, that’s extremely unlikely. If you’re still confused about how long will Ark 2 be exclusive, you can always check the official Studio Wildcard FAQ page for the latest updated info, as they post changes there first.
There are also a few common myths about what can impact the exclusivity window that you can ignore entirely:
- Fan petitions, social media campaigns, or requests on Studio Wildcard’s forums
- Pre-order numbers for non-Xbox versions of the game (no pre-orders will be opened for other consoles until the exclusivity window is nearly over)
- Competitor releases from other survival games on PlayStation or Switch
What You Can Do While Waiting for the Non-Exclusive Ark 2 Launch
If you don’t own an Xbox or gaming PC, and you don’t want to pay for cloud gaming access to play Ark 2 during the exclusivity window, you’ve got plenty of options to keep you busy until the game launches on your platform of choice. First, you can dive back into the original Ark: Survival Evolved with all of its expansion packs. Studio Wildcard has released dozens of free and paid expansions over the years, plus thousands of community mods that add new worlds, dinosaurs, and gameplay mechanics. I’ve spent over 200 hours playing the Fjordur expansion in the last year alone, and it still feels fresh even after 8 years of the game being out.
If you want to get a head start on skills that will carry over to Ark 2, focus on mastering building, taming, and PVP combat mechanics, since most of the core gameplay loop will stay the same in the sequel. You can also follow official Studio Wildcard social media accounts and join the official Ark Discord server to get early access to dev diaries, gameplay clips, and beta test invites. Beta testers for the PC and Xbox versions often get access to content that is shared publicly before the full launch, so you can still get a peek at the game before it comes to your console.
You could also try out other similar survival games to scratch that dinosaur survival itch, though none of them have quite the same level of mod support or community as the Ark franchise. It’s easy to get impatient when you’re waiting for the exclusivity window to end, but remember that the extra development time for non-Xbox ports means you’ll get a much smoother experience than if the devs rushed to release everywhere at once, even if how long will Ark 2 be exclusive feels like forever right now.
What to Expect When Ark 2’s Exclusivity Period Ends
Once the 12-month exclusivity window wraps up, Studio Wildcard has confirmed they plan to launch Ark 2 on all other major console platforms as quickly as possible. That means PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch players won’t have to wait long after the window ends to get their hands on the game, as the dev team is already working on ports for those systems alongside the initial launch version. Cross-play will be enabled across all platforms once the non-exclusive versions launch, so you’ll be able to play with friends on Xbox and PC even if you’re on PlayStation or Switch. That’s a huge win for the community, since one of the biggest complaints about the original Ark was how fragmented the player base was across different platforms.
You don’t have to worry about missing out on content when you pick up the game after the exclusivity window either. The dev team plans to release all pre-order bonuses and first-year DLC packs for purchase on other platforms at the same time as the base game launch, so you won’t be behind players who picked up the game on day one. The only thing you’ll miss is the first year of live events and limited-time cosmetic drops, but most of those will likely be re-released for all players later on. I’ve also heard unconfirmed rumors that the first year of content will be bundled into a special edition for non-Xbox players, which would make it a great value pick up if you’re willing to wait the extra year. Now that you know how long will Ark 2 be exclusive, you can plan your purchase accordingly, whether you decide to buy it on launch day or wait for the multi-platform release.
At the end of the day, the answer to how long will Ark 2 be exclusive is pretty clear for now, with only a few rare edge cases that could shift the timeline. If you can’t wait to play, picking up a cheap Xbox Series S or subscribing to Xbox Cloud Gaming is your best bet to jump in on launch day. If you’re happy to wait the 12 months, you’ll get a polished, content-rich version of the game with all the post-launch fixes and DLC that drops during the first year, plus the ability to play with all your friends no matter what platform they’re on. No matter which option you pick, Ark 2 is shaping up to be a massive improvement over the original, and it’s worth the wait no matter what system you play on.