If you’ve been waiting patiently for the dinosaur survival sequel that’s been teased for years, you’re probably asking one key question long before launch: will Ark 2 be cross platform? It makes total sense, too. Most modern survival games let you team up with friends no matter what console or PC storefront they use, and the original Ark: Survival Evolved eventually added partial cross-play support years after its launch. We’ve pulled together every confirmed detail, developer comment, and industry pattern to break down exactly what you can expect for cross-play when the game drops.
Will Ark 2 Be Cross Platform at Launch?
First off, Studio Wildcard has confirmed partial cross-play support for Ark 2’s launch window, but there are a few important caveats you need to know. The biggest one is that cross-play will be supported across all Xbox and PC platforms first, including Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Windows Store copies of the game. That lines up with the fact that Ark 2 is a timed console exclusive for Xbox, so Microsoft is prioritizing connected play across its ecosystem.
If you played the original Ark: Survival Evolved, you might remember that cross-play was messy for years after launch. PC players could only play with other PC players on the same storefront for the first two years, and Xbox cross-play didn’t roll out until 2019, with PlayStation cross-play following even later. Studio Wildcard has said they’re avoiding that mistake this time around by building cross-play support into the core of the game, rather than adding it as a post-launch afterthought. That’s a huge win for players who don’t want to wait years to play with all their friends, no matter what system they use.
We don’t have official word on PlayStation support for cross-play yet, mostly because the game won’t launch on PlayStation until at least 12 months after its Xbox and PC release. When it does arrive on PS5, Studio Wildcard has stated they plan to add full cross-play between PlayStation, Xbox, and PC as long as platform holders allow it. That means if you have friends on PS5, you’ll likely be able to play with them eventually, just not on day one. Also, there is no planned cross-play support for Nintendo Switch at this time, given the hardware limitations of the console for a graphically intensive open world game like Ark 2.
What Cross-Play Features Can You Expect in Ark 2?
Cross-play isn’t just about joining the same server as someone on a different device. Studio Wildcard is building a number of connected features to make cross-platform play feel seamless, not like an afterthought. These are the confirmed cross-play features announced so far:
That said, there are a few limitations to keep in mind. Private servers hosted by individual players will be able to turn cross-play on or off at their discretion, so if you’re joining a friend’s custom server, double check if cross-play is enabled before you buy the game on a different platform than them. Also, microtransactions and purchased cosmetic items will carry over across linked accounts, so you won’t have to rebuy that cool dino skin if you switch from Xbox to PC.
Pros and Cons of Ark 2 Cross-Play for Players
Cross-platform play is almost universally loved by players, but it has a few drawbacks that are worth considering before you get too excited. Let’s start with the upsides, because they’re pretty significant. The biggest upside is obviously being able to play with all your friends no matter what system they own, without forcing anyone to buy a new console or PC just to join your tribe. Cross-play also means larger server populations, so you’ll have more players to interact with in PvP, more trading opportunities in PvE, and shorter wait times for any matchmade activities the game launches with.
I’ve played hundreds of hours of the original Ark on both Xbox and PC, and I can tell you that playing with friends who were on different systems was one of the most frustrating parts of the early game. I had to rebuy the game three times to play with different groups of friends, so I’m personally thrilled that cross-play is being built in from the start this time. But there are valid downsides to consider too.
The most common complaint around cross-play for survival games is input advantage. Players using mouse and keyboard on PC have far more precise aiming and movement control than players using a controller on console, which can make PvP feel unfair for console players if there’s no input-based matchmaking. Also, cross-play can sometimes lead to more cheating issues, as PC cheat makers have an easier time distributing hacks that can affect players on all platforms. But Studio Wildcard has stated they’re implementing kernel-level anti-cheat that works across all supported platforms to cut down on this risk as much as possible.
Tips to Prepare for Cross-Play in Ark 2
If you’re planning to play Ark 2 with friends across different platforms, there are a few simple steps you can take now to make sure you’re ready to go as soon as the game launches. First, make a free Studio Wildcard account if you don’t already have one from playing the original Ark or any of their other games. This is the account you’ll link to all your platform accounts to enable cross-progression and cross-play. You can make one right now on their official site if you want to get a head start.
Second, talk to your friends to decide what server type you want to play on before launch. If you have a mix of controller and mouse and keyboard players, you might want to look for servers with input-based matchmaking, or pick a PvE server where input advantage doesn’t matter at all. There’s no point ruining the fun for half your group because PvP matches feel unbalanced right out the gate. It’s also a good idea to follow Studio Wildcard’s official social media channels for updates if you’re waiting for PlayStation cross-play support, as they’ll announce details as soon as they have them, so you’ll know exactly when will Ark 2 be cross platform across all major systems.
Third, if you’re planning to play on both PC and console, pre-order the game on the platform you’ll use most first, and wait to buy the second copy until cross-play is fully supported across all the systems you own. You don’t want to waste money on a second copy if you end up not needing it right away. Also, keep in mind that you can turn cross-play off entirely in your game settings if you decide you don’t want to play with people on other platforms for any reason. There’s no penalty for toggling it on or off whenever you want.
At the end of the day, the answer to will Ark 2 be cross platform is a yes, with a few small caveats depending on what platform you play on. The timed Xbox exclusivity means PlayStation players will have to wait a bit longer for full cross-play support, but PC and Xbox players can team up day one with no extra steps beyond linking their accounts. Cross-play is one of the most requested features for any modern multiplayer game, and it’s clear Studio Wildcard is prioritizing it to make Ark 2 as accessible as possible for as many players as possible. Whether you’re planning to build a massive base with your friends on mixed platforms or dominate PvP servers with your tribe, cross-play will make the entire Ark 2 experience far more flexible and fun for everyone involved.