If you’ve been counting down the days to dive into the dinosaur-fueled survival action of Ark 2, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is what console will Ark 2 be on. After multiple delays and teases from Studio Wildcard, the long-awaited sequel to the hit open-world survival game is finally inching closer to launch, and fans across different hardware ecosystems are eager to know if their existing setup will support the new title. I’ve spent over 2,000 hours playing the original Ark: Survival Evolved across Xbox, PC, and even the Nintendo Switch, so I know firsthand how much of a difference platform choice can make when it comes to performance, mod access, and playing with friends. I’ve dug through every official announcement, developer Q&A, and reliable industry leak to pull together all the info you need to make the right call for your setup.
What Console Will Ark 2 Be On? Confirmed Launch Platforms
Studio Wildcard first announced a timed exclusivity deal with Microsoft back in 2020, when Ark 2 was first revealed alongside its animated series trailer. That deal sets clear parameters for launch day support, so we already have 100% confirmed info on which systems will get the game when it first drops. For the first 12 months after release, the only console you can play Ark 2 on is Xbox Series X/S, with full PC support running alongside it for Windows users. Xbox Series X/S users get access to Ark 2 day one on Xbox Game Pass, so you don’t have to drop $70 on the base game if you’re already a subscriber. That’s a huge perk for anyone who already has an Xbox and a Game Pass subscription, as it lets you test out the game without a big upfront cost. PC users will also get day one access via PC Game Pass, as well as standalone purchases on Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Windows Store. If you’re wondering about Xbox One support, there’s been no official mention of it from Studio Wildcard, and all pre-order listings only mention Xbox Series X/S and PC as launch platforms, so it’s safe to assume older Xbox hardware won’t get support.
Cloud gaming support is also confirmed for launch via Xbox Cloud Gaming, so if you have a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you can stream Ark 2 to mobile devices, smart TVs, or even low-end laptops as long as you have a solid internet connection. That’s a great option for people who travel a lot or don’t have a high-end PC or new console to play on. The cloud version will support cross-progression with Xbox and PC, so you can pick up right where you left off no matter what device you’re streaming from.
Rumored Platform Support for Post-Launch Releases
The 12-month exclusivity deal only applies to launch, so Ark 2 will almost certainly come to other consoles after that window closes. The most heavily rumored and widely expected post-launch platform is PlayStation 5, and multiple reliable industry insiders have confirmed that a PS5 version is already in active development. PlayStation 5 release is expected 12 months after launch, right as the Microsoft exclusivity deal expires. Studio Wildcard has a long history of bringing their games to all major platforms after any exclusivity deals wrap up, so there’s no reason to think they’ll skip PS5 this time around. There’s even speculation that PS5 pre-orders will go live a few months before the exclusivity window ends, so PlayStation fans won’t have to wait long to secure their copy once the official announcement drops.
When it comes to Nintendo hardware, things are a little less clear. The original Ark was ported to the Nintendo Switch, but it suffered from major performance issues, low resolution, and long load times because the Switch’s hardware struggled to keep up with the game’s open world. Ark 2 is built on Unreal Engine 5, with far more advanced graphics, dynamic weather systems, and larger player counts, so the original Switch almost certainly won’t be able to run it at all. Rumors of a next-generation Nintendo console launching in late 2024 or early 2025 line up almost perfectly with the end of Ark 2’s exclusivity window, so it’s far more likely that the game will come to the new Nintendo hardware instead of the original Switch. If you’re a Nintendo fan, it’s worth waiting for official announcements about the next Switch before you plan to pick up Ark 2 for that ecosystem.
Key Platform Perks to Consider Before You Buy
If you’re still trying to decide what console will Ark 2 be on that fits your playstyle, the perks listed below can help you make your pick. Crossplay and cross-progression support is already confirmed for all launch platforms, so you can play with friends no matter if they’re on Xbox Series X/S or PC, and you can carry your save file between both systems if you own multiple copies. That’s a huge upgrade from the original Ark, which had limited crossplay support and no cross-progression between most platforms for years after launch. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest perks for each confirmed or rumored platform:
From my own experience playing the original Ark, mod support on PC makes the game feel infinitely replayable, so if you’re someone who likes to mess around with custom maps, new dinosaur species, or total conversion packs that turn the game into a completely different experience, PC is the obvious choice even if you already have an Xbox. If you’re more of a casual player who just wants to play with friends without messing with settings or mods, the Xbox version is a perfect pick, especially since you can play it for no extra cost if you have Game Pass. If you only have a PS5, you can either wait a year for the launch, or pick up a cheap Xbox Series S to play day one, since the Series S is usually under $300 and Game Pass costs less than $15 a month for most users.
Common Misconceptions About Ark 2 Platform Availability
One of the most common questions I see in Ark community groups alongside what console will Ark 2 be on is whether older hardware will be supported, and there are a lot of false rumors floating around that can confuse players. There are no plans for an Xbox One release of Ark 2, despite what some random social media posts might claim. The game is built from the ground up for Unreal Engine 5, and the old Xbox One hardware simply can’t handle the game’s massive open world, 100+ player servers, and advanced physics systems without being downgraded so much that it would ruin the experience. Studio Wildcard has already said they want to prioritize quality for Ark 2, so they won’t be releasing it on hardware that can’t run it well.
Another common misconception is that Ark 2 is a permanent Xbox exclusive. That’s not true at all, the exclusivity is only for 12 months, and Studio Wildcard has explicitly said they plan to bring the game to as many platforms as possible after that window ends. The only reason the exclusivity deal exists is because Microsoft provided funding for the game’s development, which allowed Studio Wildcard to make the game far bigger and more ambitious than they would have been able to otherwise. The third big misconception is that crossplay will be available for all platforms at launch. Crossplay at launch is only between Xbox Series X/S and PC, and PlayStation crossplay will only be added when the PS5 version launches, as it requires cooperation between Sony and Studio Wildcard to set up.
If you’re thinking about pre-ordering the game, keep in mind that the digital deluxe edition’s 3-day early access is only available for Xbox and PC users right now, so if you pre-order a PS5 copy from a third-party seller, you won’t get early access when the game first launches. It’s also worth noting that any pre-order bonuses for the Xbox version won’t carry over to the PlayStation version when it launches, so if you plan to double dip, you’ll have to earn those bonuses again on the PS5 version.
At the end of the day, the answer to what console will Ark 2 be on at launch is pretty clear if you’ve been following the updates, but there’s still plenty of room for shifts as we get closer to the official release date. If you want to play as soon as possible, stick to Xbox Series X/S or PC, and consider a Game Pass subscription to save money on the initial purchase. If you’re holding out for a PlayStation release, you won’t have to wait more than a year after launch to join in on the fun, and you can likely expect a few platform-exclusive perks to make the wait worth it. No matter what platform you end up playing on, Ark 2 is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious survival games of the decade, so it’s worth planning ahead to make sure you’re ready to jump in when it drops.