If you’ve been scrolling through ARK Survival Evolved community groups looking for new content to dive into, you’ve probably asked yourself at least once: is Ark Genesis Part 2 free to play for existing owners? The final DLC in the Genesis storyline wraps up the ARK saga with new creatures, biomes, and endgame challenges, so it’s no surprise players are eager to get their hands on it without extra cost. I’ve spent hundreds of hours playing through every ARK DLC across PC, console, and cloud platforms, so I’ve broken down everything you need to know about access requirements, hidden costs, and workarounds to enjoy Genesis Part 2 without overspending.
Is Ark Genesis Part 2 Free for All ARK Players?
The short answer for most players is no, Genesis Part 2 is not automatically free for anyone who owns the base ARK Survival Evolved game. It was released as a paid premium DLC, and most players will need to purchase it separately to access the map and its exclusive content. That said, there are a few exceptions to this rule that many players don’t know about.
If you bought the Genesis Season Pass before Part 2 was released, you already have access to the DLC at no extra cost, as the pass includes both Part 1 and Part 2 of the Genesis storyline. Free weekend promotions also run 3-4 times a year across all platforms, where you can play the full Genesis Part 2 DLC for 2-3 days without making any purchase. These events usually line up with major ARK updates or industry events like Steam Sales or Summer Game Fest.
There are also platform-specific exceptions for subscription members. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get full access to Genesis Part 2 as long as their subscription is active, no extra purchase needed. PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers also often get access to the full Genesis DLC pack as part of the monthly game catalog, so it’s worth checking your subscription benefits before you buy.
What Do You Get When You Purchase Ark Genesis Part 2?
If you do decide to pay for the DLC, you’re getting far more than just a new map to explore. Even if you’ve seen clips of Genesis Part 2 content online, nothing beats exploring the map yourself, whether you’re wondering is Ark Genesis Part 2 free to test or ready to buy it outright. The 60-square-kilometer map includes wildly different biomes, from a low-gravity lunar surface to a lush corrupted garden full of dangerous mutated creatures.
Some of the most popular content included with the DLC includes:
- Full access to the 2-part Genesis storyline conclusion, with 17 exclusive story missions that unlock exclusive rewards like rare skins and powerful endgame items
- 12 new tameable creatures, including the fast aquatic Shadowmane, the mind-controlling Noglin, and the resource-harvesting Stryder that can be customized with unique modules
- Over 50 new engrams, including futuristic tools, weapons, and base building pieces not available in the base game or any other ARK DLC
- Free access to all official Genesis Part 2 servers, plus the ability to host your own private server with the DLC map for you and your friends
You don’t have to complete the first Genesis DLC to play Part 2, either, though you’ll get more out of the story if you run through the first part’s missions first. Many players buy Genesis Part 2 specifically for the high-rate official servers that are less crowded than older ARK maps, which makes progression faster for new players who don’t want to spend weeks grinding for basic resources.
Legitimate Ways to Access Genesis Part 2 Without Paying Full Price
If you don’t want to pay the full $20 price tag for Genesis Part 2, there are plenty of legitimate ways to get access for a lower cost, or even for free for a limited time. The first and easiest option is to wait for the free weekend events I mentioned earlier. You’ll get full access to all content during the event, and any progress you make will carry over if you decide to buy the DLC later.
Season pass bundle sales run every 2-3 months on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and all console storefronts, where you can get the full Genesis Season Pass (including both Part 1 and Part 2) for 70-80% off. That means you can get both DLCs for less than $10 total, which is a far better deal than buying Part 2 alone at full price. I usually wait for these sales if I’m buying DLC for friends or new alternate accounts.
If you already pay for a gaming subscription service, double check your catalog first before buying. As I mentioned earlier, Game Pass Ultimate and PlayStation Plus Extra often include Genesis Part 2 for no extra cost. You can also use family sharing features on most platforms to share the DLC with other people in your household. If one person owns the DLC, everyone else on the family plan can access it for free on their own accounts, as long as you’re all on the same platform family. Just make sure you avoid random third-party sites offering free Genesis Part 2 codes, as those are almost always scams designed to steal your account information.
Common Misconceptions About Free Genesis Part 2 Access
There are a lot of myths floating around community forums about free Genesis Part 2 access, and it’s important to separate fact from fiction to avoid wasting time or putting your account at risk. One of the most common myths I see is that if you own ARK Survival Ascended, you get Genesis Part 2 for free. That’s not true: ARK Survival Ascended is a separate remake of the original game, and Genesis Part 2 for ASA will be a separate purchase when it’s released, even if you own the DLC for the original ARK Survival Evolved.
Another common myth is that private servers let you play Genesis Part 2 for free. That’s also not true. You still need to own the DLC on your account to join any server running the Genesis Part 2 map, whether it’s official or private. There are some modded servers that use assets from the DLC, but these are almost always against Studio Wildcard’s terms of service, and you risk getting your account banned if you play on them.
Many players also assume that if they got the base ARK game for free during a promotion, they qualify for free DLC. That’s never the case. Free base game copies never include access to paid DLC, so you’ll still have to buy Genesis Part 2 separately if you want to play it. You should also watch out for account region locks if you’re buying discounted keys from resellers. If you buy a key from a different region than your account is registered in, it might not work at all, or it might get revoked after a few weeks, leaving you with no access to the DLC. Always buy keys from official platform stores or authorized resellers only to avoid this issue.
At the end of the day, the answer to is Ark Genesis Part 2 free depends entirely on your existing subscriptions, past purchases, and willingness to wait for promotions. If you don't want to spend any money right now, keep an eye out for free weekend events that let you test the full DLC for a few days before you buy. If you plan on playing long-term, waiting for a season pass sale is the best way to get the full Genesis experience without overspending. No matter what route you take, make sure you only get access through official channels to avoid losing your account or your DLC access down the line.