If you’re a long-time Ark: Survival Evolved fan who plays on Sony’s console, you’ve almost certainly asked is ark 2 gonna be on ps5 at least once over the last few years. The original Ark was a massive hit on PS5, with millions of players jumping into its dino-filled survival world, building bases, taming prehistoric creatures, and fighting off both hostile wildlife and other players. We’ve pulled together all official announcements, credible industry rumors, and platform-specific details to give you a clear, up-to-date answer to this question, plus extra context to help you plan for the game’s launch.
Is Ark 2 Gonna Be on PS5? The Short Official Answer
First, let’s cut straight to the facts we have directly from Studio Wildcard, the developer behind the entire Ark franchise. When Ark 2 was first announced alongside its tie-in animated series, the team confirmed it would launch first on Xbox Series X/S and PC, with a 12-month console exclusivity window for Xbox. That means the game will not be available on PS5 on its initial launch day.
But that doesn’t mean you’ll never get to play it on Sony’s console. After that 12-month exclusivity period ends, Studio Wildcard has stated it plans to release Ark 2 on all other major platforms, including PS5. You won’t have to wait longer than a year after the initial launch to play Ark 2 on PS5, barring any unexpected changes to the studio’s release plan. We’ve seen this exact same exclusivity structure work for other popular survival titles in the past, so there’s very little risk of the PS5 release getting canceled entirely.
What Exclusive PS5 Features Can You Expect For Ark 2?
Once Ark 2 does hit PS5, you can expect a ton of platform-specific features that take full advantage of the console’s hardware, just like the upgraded version of the original Ark did. The PS5’s custom SSD will cut load times almost entirely, so you won’t have to wait minutes to fast travel across the map or respawn after a bad run-in with a T-Rex. You’ll be able to jump straight back into the action with almost no downtime, even if you’re playing on a massive, crowded server with hundreds of other players.
The DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers will also add a ton of immersion to regular gameplay. You’ll feel different levels of resistance when firing primitive weapons vs. high-powered guns, and get subtle vibrations when a dino is stalking you from nearby foliage. Sony is also known for partnering with developers to add platform-exclusive in-game content for major releases, so it’s possible PS5 players will get a unique tamed dino skin, base building set, or character customization item when the game launches on the platform. That content is usually only available for the first few months after release, so you’ll want to claim it quickly if it’s something you’re interested in.
Important Details to Know Before Ark 2’s PS5 Launch
There are a few key things to keep in mind if you’re planning to pick up Ark 2 exclusively on PS5, so you don’t end up disappointed or missing out on limited content. We’ve broken down the most important points below:
If you have friends who play on Xbox and you don’t want to wait a year to play with them, you do have the option to pick up the game on PC or Xbox first, then transfer your save to PS5 when it launches. Studio Wildcard has confirmed cross-save support will be available across all platforms once all versions are released, so you won’t lose any of your hard-earned tames, bases, or progress if you switch platforms later.
How to Stay Updated on Ark 2’s PS5 Release Date
Since Studio Wildcard hasn’t announced an exact launch date for the base game yet, we don’t have a specific date for the PS5 release either, but there are easy ways to get updates as soon as they’re shared. The official Ark social media accounts are the most reliable source of news, as the team shares all major announcements there first, including when the exclusivity window is set to end and when PS5 pre-orders will go live. You can also turn on notifications for the game’s listing on the PlayStation Store, so you’ll get an alert as soon as it’s available to pre-purchase or add to your wishlist.
Avoid trusting random leaks from unconfirmed sources, as most of them are just guesses designed to get clicks. Many leakers have shared false release dates for Ark 2 over the years, so it’s always best to wait for official word from Studio Wildcard or Sony directly. If you’re active in Ark community groups, you’ll also likely see updates shared there within minutes of them going public, so that’s another great way to stay in the loop without having to follow multiple social media accounts.
At the end of the day, if you’re willing to be a little patient, the answer to is ark 2 gonna be on ps5 is a resounding yes. The 12-month Xbox exclusivity window is a small wait for what’s shaping up to be a massive improvement over the original game, with better graphics, a more engaging story, smoother combat, and a bigger, more dynamic open world to explore. You can use that wait time to brush up on your Ark survival skills, finish any leftover builds or taming projects you have in the original game, and get ready to jump into the new world as soon as it hits the PS5 store. There’s never been a better time to be an Ark fan on PlayStation, even if the wait for the sequel feels a little long right now.