If you’ve been grinding through ARK: Survival Evolved’s expansions and saving up for the final, massive Genesis Part 2 update, you’ve probably asked how much will ark genesis 2 cost at some point. I’ve bought the expansion across three different platforms over the years, and I’ve made my fair share of overpaying mistakes when I grabbed it on launch day. This guide breaks down every factor that impacts the price, from platform differences to hidden edition upgrades, so you don’t waste extra cash you could be spending on other ARK content or in-game cosmetics. It also includes all the tricks I’ve picked up to get the deepest possible discounts, no sketchy third-party sellers required.
How Much Will Ark Genesis 2 Cost Across Major Platforms?
Base pricing for the standalone Genesis 2 expansion is fairly consistent across most platforms, but there are small differences depending on your device of choice. On Steam, the permanent base price is $19.99, and it goes on sale at least once every two months for 50% to 75% off. Xbox users will find the same $19.99 base price on the Microsoft Store, and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get an extra 10% off all ARK-related purchases year round.
PlayStation players have the same $19.99 base price on the PSN Store, but sales are a bit less frequent than on Steam, usually only running during seasonal events like Black Friday or the PlayStation Summer Sale. Nintendo Switch users pay a small premium, with the base Genesis 2 expansion priced at $24.99, and sales rarely drop below $14.99 because of the extra work that went into optimizing the large map for the Switch’s hardware. You won’t get access to Genesis 2 on PlayStation if you bought it on Steam, so plan your purchase for the platform you play most often.
Key Factors That Change Ark Genesis 2 Pricing
The base price we listed above only applies to the standalone expansion, and there are a few common factors that can make the total cost go up or down significantly. The biggest factor is whether you buy the standalone expansion or the Genesis Season Pass, which includes both Genesis Part 1 and Part 2, plus exclusive in-game skins, a unique HLN-A pet skin, and early access to certain creatures. The season pass retails for $39.99, which saves you around $10 compared to buying both Genesis expansions separately.
Bundle deals are another big factor that can lower your total cost. Studio Wildcard regularly sells the full ARK: Survival Evolved collection, which includes the base game and all 7 expansions, for $49.99 during major sales. If you don’t own any other ARK expansions, the full collection bundle is almost always a better value than buying Genesis 2 alone. Regional pricing also varies, with players in some countries paying 20% to 30% less than the US base price because of local currency adjustments. Never use a VPN to buy ARK content for a cheaper regional price, as Studio Wildcard regularly bans accounts that do this.
Hidden Extra Costs to Watch Out For
Most players assume the listed price on the store page is all they’ll pay, but there are a few less obvious costs that can catch you off guard if you’re not paying attention. These extra costs are entirely optional, but it’s important to know they exist so you don’t end up spending more than you planned. The most common hidden costs include:
- DLC cosmetic packs: The Genesis 2 cosmetic bundle, which includes exclusive skins for your character, dinos, and structures, costs an extra $9.99 and isn't included in the base expansion or season pass.
- Server hosting fees: If you want to run a private Genesis 2 server for you and your friends, you'll pay between $10 and $30 a month depending on the number of player slots and mod support you need.
- Upgrade fees: If you bought the base Genesis 2 expansion and later decide you want the season pass content, you'll have to pay the full season pass price, no partial credit is given for your existing purchase.
Another hidden cost many players forget about is storage upgrades. Genesis 2 is one of the largest ARK expansions, taking up almost 100 GB of storage on most platforms. If you’re running low on space on your console or PC, you might have to buy an extra hard drive to fit the expansion files. Always read the fine print on any bundle you're buying to make sure you're not paying for content you already own. I once accidentally bought a second copy of Genesis 1 when I picked up a season pass bundle, and I couldn’t get a refund because I missed the fine print that listed the included content.
Tips to Get the Best Deal on Ark Genesis 2
I’ve picked up Genesis 2 for as low as $4.99 during a Steam Winter Sale, so there are plenty of easy ways to save if you’re not in a rush to play the expansion right away. The first tip is to wait for major seasonal sales, when discounts are deepest. Steam Summer Sale, Winter Sale, Black Friday, and the annual ARK anniversary sale every June all offer 50% to 75% off all ARK content, including Genesis 2.
You should also check your platform’s subscription perks before you buy. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PlayStation Plus, and Amazon Prime Gaming all regularly offer exclusive discounts or even free ARK content for subscribers. I got 20% off my Genesis 2 purchase last year through a Prime Gaming promotion, no extra cost required. If you play on console, you can also look for used physical copies of the full ARK collection with Genesis 2 included, which often sell for $20 to $25 on secondhand marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or eBay. Just make sure the expansion code hasn’t already been redeemed before you buy. The cheapest time to buy Genesis 2 is always during the annual ARK anniversary sale in June, where discounts hit 75% off across almost all platforms.
You should avoid buying Genesis 2 keys from random third-party key resellers, even if the price seems too good to be true. A lot of these keys are stolen, region locked, or obtained through fraudulent chargebacks, and Studio Wildcard will revoke access to the expansion if the key is flagged as invalid. It’s always safer to buy directly from your platform’s official store, even if you pay a few dollars extra.
At the end of the day, the answer to how much will ark genesis 2 cost depends on when you buy it, what platform you use, and whether you want extra content like the season pass or cosmetic packs. You can pay as little as $5 if you wait for a deep sale, or up to $40 if you buy the full season pass at full price. Take the time to compare deals across your platform's store and check for subscription perks before you buy, and you won't end up overpaying for one of the most fun expansions ARK has ever released. If you’re still on the fence, you can always watch playthroughs of the Genesis 2 story online first to make sure it’s worth the cost for your play style.