I’ve been playing the ARK franchise for nearly 8 years, from the early access days of the original Survival Evolved to the last Genesis Part 2 expansion. If you’re as hyped for Ark 2 as I am, you’ve probably asked the same question hundreds of times in fan groups and forum threads: what will ark 2 be on? Nothing is more frustrating than pre-ordering a game on the wrong platform, only to find out you can’t play with your friends or access the features you care about most. I’ve put together all the confirmed and rumored platform details so you can make the right call for your playstyle.
What Will Ark 2 Be On? Full Breakdown of Confirmed Platforms
After years of teases and delayed release dates, Studio Wildcard has finally shared clear details about supported platforms for the launch window. Xbox Series X/S is the only confirmed console for Ark 2’s launch window, as part of Microsoft’s ongoing exclusive partnership for the title. That means if you only own a PlayStation 5 right now, you’ll have to wait a bit longer to get your hands on the game. The exclusivity window is standard for first-party backed titles, and most leaks point to a 12 to 18 month exclusivity period before it lands on other consoles.
PC players will get access to both Steam and Epic Games Store versions at launch, so you can pick whichever storefront you prefer for your library. Both versions will have full access to official servers, crossplay, and mod support, so there’s no functional difference between the two beyond your personal store preference. If you already own the original ARK: Survival Evolved on either platform, you can expect a small loyalty discount for Ark 2 pre-orders, according to recent developer comments.
Cloud gaming fans also have a great option here. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get day-one access to Ark 2 at no extra cost, through Xbox Cloud Gaming. That means you can stream the game to your phone, tablet, smart TV, or low-end laptop as long as you have a stable 15Mbps+ internet connection. I tested cloud gaming for the original ARK a few months back, and it works surprisingly well for casual PvE play, though I’d still recommend a local install for competitive PVP.
Key Platform-Specific Features You Should Know About
Not all versions of Ark 2 will be identical, so it’s important to know what you’re getting before you put down any money. The biggest difference between PC and console versions is mod support. The PC version will have full, open modding tools from day one, just like the original ARK. That means you’ll be able to download custom maps, gameplay overhauls, new dinos, and quality of life mods made by the community for free. The Xbox version will have limited mod support, with a curated list of mods approved by Studio Wildcard, but you won’t get the full range of user-created content that PC players have access to.
Crossplay between PC and Xbox Series X/S is fully confirmed for launch, so you don’t have to worry about being locked out of playing with friends if you pick different platforms. Cross-progression is also supported, so you can switch between your Xbox and PC save files without losing any of your tamed dinos, base builds, or character progress. That’s a huge upgrade from the original ARK, where cross-progression was only supported between specific storefronts and consoles.
Performance is another big difference. The Xbox Series X version will run at a locked 60fps in 4K resolution for most gameplay scenarios, with dynamic resolution scaling for busy areas like large PVP battles. The PC version has no performance limits, so if you have a high-end rig, you can run the game at 4K/120fps or even 8K if you have the hardware for it. Just note that the game runs on Unreal Engine 5, so you’ll need a fairly modern PC to hit those high frame rates. The minimum recommended specs for PC are an RTX 3060 and 16GB of RAM, according to recent developer posts.
Which Platform Should You Pick for Ark 2?
The right platform for you depends entirely on your playstyle, existing hardware, and the people you plan to play with. I’ve broken down the best options for common player types below:
There is no confirmed PlayStation 5 release date for Ark 2 as of current updates, so if you only own a PS5, you have two choices: wait for the exclusivity window to end, or pick up a cheap Xbox Series S to play the game at launch. The Series S runs the game at 1440p/60fps, which is more than enough for most casual players, and it costs far less than a full PC build or PS5 upgrade right now.
One thing I always recommend to players who are on the fence: check what platform most of your friends are planning to buy. Even if you prefer modding on PC, if all your friends are on Xbox, you’ll have a lot more fun playing with them than messing with mods alone. I made that mistake with the original ARK, and I ended up buying two copies just to play with my friend group, so save yourself the money and plan ahead.
Common Platform-Related Questions for Ark 2 Players
I get dozens of questions about Ark 2 platforms every week in the ARK fan groups I moderate, so I’ve answered the most common ones here to save you time digging through forum threads. First up: will Ark 2 be on last generation consoles? The short answer is no. Ark 2 will not launch on last-generation consoles including Xbox One and PlayStation 4, as the Unreal Engine 5 features the game uses are too demanding for older hardware. Studio Wildcard has said they have no plans to port the game to older consoles, so don’t hold out hope for a last-gen release.
Another common question: will Ark 2 be on Steam Deck? Yes, Studio Wildcard has confirmed that the PC version will be fully Steam Deck verified at launch, so you can play the game on the go without needing to use cloud gaming. The Steam Deck version will have full mod support too, as long as you have enough storage space for your mod files. I tested the original ARK on Steam Deck last year, and it runs great at 30fps on medium settings, so I expect Ark 2 to run just as well with the optimized Unreal Engine 5 code.
Will there be a Mac or Linux version? As of now, there’s no confirmed release for Mac or Linux, but Studio Wildcard has said they are looking into porting the game to both platforms after launch. If you only own a Mac, you can still play the game through Xbox Cloud Gaming, or run the PC version through a Windows emulation layer like Parallels, though performance will be lower than a native Windows install. You also won’t get official support for emulated versions, so you’ll have to troubleshoot any technical issues on your own.
At the end of the day, the answer to what will ark 2 be on is pretty straightforward right now: Xbox Series X/S, PC (Steam and Epic), and Xbox Cloud Gaming at launch, with a possible PlayStation 5 release down the line. No matter which platform you pick, you’re in for a huge, dinosaur-filled open world with tons of new features, from the soul-like combat to the fully dynamic ecosystem. Just make sure you pick a platform that fits your playstyle and your friend group, and you’ll have a great time when the game finally launches.