If you’ve spent any time in Ark: Survival Evolved’s brutal, dinosaur-filled open world, you’ve probably been counting down to Ark 2’s release for years. The upcoming sequel promises overhauled combat, a fully realized narrative featuring Vin Diesel, and vastly improved mod support that will keep players engaged for years. For cost-conscious players, one question keeps popping up above all others: is Ark 2 going to be on Game Pass? We’ve sorted through official announcements, industry patterns, and verified insider leaks to give you the most accurate, up-to-date answer possible, with zero baseless speculation.
Is Ark 2 Going to Be on Game Pass? Official Confirmation Breakdown
The short answer is yes, Ark 2 will be available on Game Pass from day one of its global launch. This confirmation first came during the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase, where Xbox and Studio Wildcard jointly announced the sequel’s console launch exclusivity for Xbox Series X/S, alongside its day one Game Pass inclusion. The deal covers both console Game Pass for Xbox Series X/S users and PC Game Pass for Windows players, no extra purchase required for active subscribers.
Xbox has not announced any plans to remove Ark 2 from its Game Pass launch lineup as of the latest public updates. That means you won’t have to worry about last-minute changes that force you to buy the game outright if you already have a subscription. This deal is part of Xbox’s long-running strategy to add all first-party and timed exclusive titles to Game Pass on launch day, a pattern they have stuck to for every major exclusive release since 2021.
It’s important to note that this Game Pass availability only applies to Microsoft’s subscription service. There are no current plans to add Ark 2 to PlayStation Plus Extra, Nintendo Switch Online, or any other third-party subscription platform at launch. That makes sense given the game’s timed Xbox console exclusivity, which is expected to last at least 12 months before any potential release on other consoles.
What This Means for Players Waiting to Play Ark 2
The biggest benefit of Ark 2’s Game Pass launch is obvious: you don’t have to pay the $70 upfront retail price to play the game on day one. If you already pay for Game Pass for your Xbox or PC, you can just download the game as soon as it goes live and start playing immediately, no extra fees involved. This is a huge win for casual players who don’t want to drop full price on a game they might only play for a few hours a week with friends.
Game Pass subscribers also get a handful of exclusive perks that retail buyers won’t have access to for the first 30 days post-launch. These perks vary based on your subscription tier, but they all add extra value for players who choose to access the game via the service.
Game Pass subscribers get access to all launch content, including the base game and any pre-order exclusive cosmetic packs that are offered as part of the Game Pass launch bundle. You won’t be missing out on any features or content compared to players who buy the game outright. The only catch is that you’ll lose access to the game if you cancel your subscription later on, unless you choose to buy the full game at the subscriber discount.
Common Misconceptions About Ark 2's Game Pass Availability
With so much speculation floating around online about Ark 2’s launch, it’s easy to run into false information about its Game Pass availability. One of the most common myths we’ve seen is that Ark 2 will only be on Game Pass for a few months before being removed from the service. That’s not true for Xbox exclusive titles. Most timed and first-party Xbox exclusives stay on Game Pass permanently, with only a tiny handful of licensed titles ever being removed after launch.
You don't have to rush to beat the game before it gets removed from the service, as it will likely remain available for years after launch. Even if you only play a few hours a month, you’ll still be able to access your save file and progress for as long as you keep your subscription active. There are no hidden time limits or restrictions on how long you can play the game via Game Pass.
Another common myth is that the Game Pass version of Ark 2 will have limited features or be censored compared to the retail version. That’s completely false. The Game Pass copy is identical to the $70 retail version, with full access to PVP servers, PVE worlds, mod support, and cross-play between Xbox and PC players. You won’t have to unlock any extra features or pay extra to access the full game. The only difference is the payment model, not the content itself.
Some players also assume they need a separate Game Pass subscription for Xbox and PC to play on both devices. That’s only true if you have the basic Game Pass tier for console or PC. If you have Game Pass Ultimate, you get access to both versions of the game, plus cloud gaming support that lets you play on your phone, tablet, or smart TV as long as you have a stable internet connection. That makes it easy to switch between devices without losing your progress.
Tips to Prepare for Ark 2's Game Pass Launch
If you plan to play Ark 2 via Game Pass on launch day, there are a few simple steps you can take to make sure you can jump in as soon as the game goes live. First, if you don’t already have a Game Pass subscription, keep an eye out for the $1 Game Pass Ultimate trial offer that Microsoft regularly runs for new and lapsed subscribers. Signing up for that trial a week before launch will let you play the full game for just $1 for the first month, which is way cheaper than buying the game outright.
Take a few minutes to check if your PC or Xbox meets the minimum system requirements for Ark 2 before launch. Even if you have access to the game via Game Pass, you won’t be able to play it if your hardware can’t run it. The minimum requirements are expected to be similar to Ark: Survival Ascended’s requirements, so if you can run that game smoothly, you should have no issues with Ark 2.
Pre-load the game as soon as it's available on the Game Pass library, which is usually 2-3 days before the official launch time. Ark 2 is expected to be a very large download, likely over 100 GB, so pre-loading will let you avoid waiting hours for the game to download when it goes live. You can set your console or PC to automatically download the game as soon as it’s available if you have auto-updates turned on.
Link your Studio Wildcard account to your Xbox account before launch if you have progress or exclusive cosmetics from the original Ark or Ark: Survival Ascended. Most cross-game cosmetic rewards will carry over to Ark 2 if your accounts are linked, so you won’t lose out on rare items you earned in previous games. Cross-play between Xbox and PC Game Pass users is fully enabled by default, so you don't have to mess with extra settings to play with friends on different platforms. Just make sure you’re all on the same server type, and you’ll be able to join each other’s tribes immediately.
At the end of the day, you don’t have to stress about saving up for a full-price copy if you have an active Game Pass subscription. We’ve covered all the official details around is ark 2 going to be on Game Pass, and the answer is a clear yes for both Xbox and PC players, with no hidden catches or restrictions. If any details change between now and launch, we’ll update this post immediately to reflect the latest official info. For now, you can start planning your tribe, picking out your first tamed dinosaur, and getting ready to jump into Ark 2’s brutal open world the second it launches, no extra purchase required.