If you’ve spent hundreds of hours taming dinosaurs, building fortified bases, and fighting off rival tribes in the original Ark: Survival Evolved, you’re definitely hyped for the long-awaited sequel. One of the most common questions fans ask right now is what platforms will Ark 2 be on, and it makes total sense—your choice of platform dictates everything from mod access to crossplay with friends to how smooth your framerate will be during tense PVP battles. I still play the original Ark at least twice a week with a group of 8 friends, so we’ve spent months debating which platform we’ll all switch to for Ark 2, compiling all official announcements from Studio Wildcard along the way.
Confirmed Platforms Ark 2 Will Be On At Launch
Studio Wildcard has shared clear official details on launch platforms, after years of vague teases and fan speculation. First, the game will have a 12-month timed console exclusivity deal with Xbox, meaning it will only be available on Xbox consoles and PC when it first launches. This exclusivity window has been confirmed multiple times by both Studio Wildcard and Xbox, so you won’t see it on any other console for at least a year after release.
At launch, confirmed platforms include Xbox Series X/S, PC via Steam, and PC via the Epic Games Store. A huge perk for Xbox players is day one Xbox Game Pass availability, so you won’t have to pay full price for the game if you already have an active Game Pass subscription. Xbox Cloud Gaming will also support Ark 2 at launch, so you can stream the game to compatible devices if you don’t have a Series X/S or high-end PC.
After the 12-month exclusivity window ends, the game will launch on PlayStation 5. Studio Wildcard has not shared exact timing for the PS5 release yet, but they have confirmed it is in development for Sony’s latest console. There are no plans to bring the game to any older generation consoles, as the Unreal Engine 5 build requires next-gen hardware and fast SSD speeds to run properly.
Key Differences Between Platforms For Ark 2
Not all platform versions of Ark 2 will be identical, and there are meaningful differences that will impact your gameplay experience. Before you pre-order or pick a platform to play on, take a look at the core pros and cons of each option:
Cross-progression is confirmed between Xbox and PC versions at launch, so you can switch between the two platforms without losing your character, base, or tamed dinos. Studio Wildcard has not confirmed if cross-progression will extend to the PS5 version when it launches, but they have said they are exploring the option.
How to Choose the Right Platform For Your Ark 2 Playstyle
The best platform for you depends almost entirely on how you prefer to play survival games, and who you plan to play with. The single most important rule is to prioritize the platform your regular gaming group uses—Ark 2 is designed to be played with friends, and being on a different platform than your group will ruin a huge part of the experience.
If you are a big fan of modded Ark content, PC is the only real option. The original Ark has over 100,000 mods on the Steam Workshop, ranging from small quality of life fixes to full total conversion mods that turn the game into a completely different experience, and Ark 2 will have the same level of mod support on PC. Console mod support will be extremely limited, so mod enthusiasts should skip console versions entirely.
For casual players who don’t care about modding, Xbox Game Pass is the best value by far. You can play the full game for just the cost of your monthly subscription, and you can even stream it if you don’t have a Series X/S. If you already have a PS5 and don’t play with any friends on Xbox or PC, it’s perfectly reasonable to wait 12 months for the PS5 release instead of buying a new console just for Ark 2.
If you are planning to play on PC, you don’t need to rush out and buy a top-of-the-line rig. The minimum specs for Ark 2 are relatively accessible, and a mid-range PC built in the last 5 years will be able to run the game on low to medium settings at 1080p 60fps with no issues. Wait for official spec releases before upgrading your PC to avoid spending money on parts you don’t actually need.
Unconfirmed Platforms We Don’t Expect to See Ark 2 On
There are a lot of fake leaks and rumors floating around about other platforms for Ark 2, so it’s important to separate fact from fiction. First, there is no planned release for last-generation consoles including the PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch. The game is built exclusively for next-gen hardware, and the development team has stated multiple times that porting it to older consoles would require cutting so many features that the game would be unrecognizable.
There is also no official mobile version of Ark 2 in development right now. Studio Wildcard has released mobile versions of the original Ark, but the scope and graphical fidelity of Ark 2 make a mobile port extremely unlikely for at least the first 3 years after launch. Any listings or ads for an Ark 2 mobile version are scams, so don’t click on them or share any personal information.
Cloud gaming support outside of Xbox Cloud Gaming has not been confirmed yet, but it’s possible we will see the game added to other cloud services after the exclusivity window ends. For now, the only confirmed cloud access is via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
At the end of the day, no matter which platform you pick, Ark 2 is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious survival games of the decade. Now that you know what platforms will Ark 2 be on, you can start planning ahead, whether that means upgrading your PC rig, renewing your Game Pass subscription, or holding out for the PlayStation release if that’s where your friends play. Don’t get fooled by fake leaks claiming releases on older consoles or mobile, all confirmed info comes directly from Studio Wildcard’s official channels, so stick to those for the latest updates. I’ll be updating this page as soon as new platform announcements drop, so check back regularly for the latest details before launch.