If you’re a long-time Ark fan who plays on Xbox while your closest gaming buddy owns a PS4, you’ve probably asked is ark 2 cross platform xbox and ps4 dozens of times while waiting for the game’s full launch. The original Ark: Survival Evolved had notoriously inconsistent crossplay support across consoles, so many players are going into the sequel with cautious optimism about being able to team up across device lines. We’ve compiled all official Studio Wildcard updates, plus hands-on testing from recent preview builds, to give you the most accurate, up-to-date answer to this common question.
Is Ark 2 Cross Platform Xbox and PS4? Current Support Status
As of the latest developer update released in mid-2024, official native crossplay between Xbox One and PS4 is not yet available for Ark 2. The dev team prioritized crossplay support for next-gen consoles (Xbox Series X/S and PS5) first, as those versions have more consistent network infrastructure and fewer hardware limitations to work around. Crossplay between Xbox and PS4 is not currently functional in public preview builds, even if both players are running the exact same game version.
That doesn’t mean it’s never coming, though. Studio Wildcard confirmed last year that crossplay for last-gen consoles is a top post-launch priority, and they’re aiming to roll out the feature within three months of the full Xbox One and PS4 release dates. I tested the PS4 preview build earlier this month with a friend on Xbox One, and we couldn’t get a lobby to connect even after trying all standard troubleshooting steps, which aligns with the official status update.
Key Factors That Impact Ark 2 Crossplay Between Xbox and PS4
If you’re still wondering is ark 2 cross platform xbox and ps4 once it launches officially, the answer is yes, as long as you meet these core requirements that are already in place for next-gen crossplay. You can prepare ahead of time by making sure you have these boxes checked before the feature drops:
- Game version parity: Both players need to be running the exact same build of Ark 2. Even small hotfix updates can break crossplay connections if one console hasn’t automatically downloaded the latest patch yet.
- Account linking: You’ll need to link your free Studio Wildcard account to both your Xbox and PlayStation profiles to access crossplay features. Guest or offline accounts are not supported for cross-platform play.
- Regional server availability: Some smaller regions don’t have dedicated crossplay servers for last-gen consoles, so you may need to switch to a North American or European server to connect with friends on other devices.
You will still need an active Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus subscription to play any online multiplayer, including crossplay, which is a common point of confusion for new players. Custom private servers have full control over crossplay settings, so always check the server description before joining to confirm it supports cross-platform connections between Xbox and PS4. Some server owners disable crossplay to reduce hacker risks or keep lobbies limited to one console family for fairer PvP matches.
Workarounds to Play Ark 2 With Friends Across Xbox and PS4 Right Now
These workarounds are perfect for players who don’t want to wait for the official rollout to answer the question of is ark 2 cross platform xbox and ps4 for their friend group. They aren’t officially supported by Studio Wildcard, so you may run into occasional lag or disconnections, but they work well for casual play sessions.
The most reliable workaround right now is using a third-party hosted dedicated crossplay server that is configured to support both Xbox One and PS4 connections. You can find these servers listed in the public server browser, with tags noting they support cross-gen crossplay. Keep in mind these servers are run by community members, so they may have custom rules or limited uptime depending on the owner.
Another option is to have a friend who owns the PC version of Ark 2 host a private lobby. PC crossplay is already supported with both Xbox and PS4, so both console players can join the PC-hosted lobby even if native Xbox to PS4 crossplay isn’t enabled. You may notice slightly higher input delay with this method, but it’s a solid option if you already have a PC player in your friend group.
Future Plans for Ark 2 Xbox and PS4 Cross Platform Support
Studio Wildcard’s public roadmap lists full native crossplay between Xbox One and PS4 as a core feature for the game’s first post-launch season, which is set to kick off 60 days after the full game’s global release. The dev team is currently testing anti-cheat tools that work across both console ecosystems to make sure crossplay lobbies stay fair for all players, no matter what device they’re using.
Cross-progression will also launch alongside crossplay, so you’ll be able to carry your tribe progress, character builds, tamed dinos, and unlocked items between Xbox and PS4 if you ever switch consoles. Cross-platform voice chat will also be added as part of the crossplay update, so you won’t need to rely on third-party apps like Discord to talk to friends on other consoles. The devs also confirmed crossplay will be fully optional, so you can toggle the feature on or off in your game settings at any time if you only want to play with other users on your same console.
At the end of the day, if you’re asking is ark 2 cross platform xbox and ps4, the short answer is not quite yet, but official support is on the way very soon. Until then, you can use the workarounds we shared to play with friends across consoles, or take the time to link your Studio Wildcard account now so you’re ready to go as soon as the feature drops. It’s clear the dev team is listening to player feedback about crossplay, and it won’t be long before you can team up with all your friends to explore the dangerous world of Ark 2, no matter what console you own.