If you're one of the millions of Ark: Survival Evolved fans waiting for the long-awaited sequel, you've probably asked will Ark 2 be on Game Pass at launch. The original Ark was a massive hit on Microsoft's subscription service, drawing in tens of thousands of new players who didn't want to pay full price for the base game and its dozens of expansions. I've been covering Ark franchise news for over six years, and I still remember the day the original Ark launched on Game Pass back in 2017, when my entire friend group dropped every other game we were playing to build bases and tame dinosaurs together for months on end. I've sifted through every official announcement, developer leak, and platform partnership update to give you the most accurate, up-to-date information possible. There's a lot of conflicting rumor out there right now, so I've cut out all the noise to focus only on confirmed details and logical educated guesses.
Will Ark 2 Be on Game Pass at Launch? Confirmed Details
Let's cut straight to the biggest question first: Yes, Ark 2 will be available on Game Pass for both console and PC subscribers from day one of its global launch. This was first announced back during the 2022 Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, when Studio Wildcard confirmed the game's console exclusivity to Xbox alongside its PC release. You won't need to buy the game separately to play it if you have an active Game Pass Ultimate or Console/PC Game Pass subscription. That's a huge win for casual players who don't want to drop $60 or more on a new survival game before they know if they like it. I've seen a lot of people online claiming this deal was canceled after recent launch delays, but there has been no official statement from Microsoft or Studio Wildcard revising the original Game Pass partnership. Any post claiming the deal is off is purely speculation until we get official word otherwise.
What Game Pass Perks Come With Ark 2?
It's not just base game access you'll get as a Game Pass subscriber, either. Microsoft often includes exclusive in-game perks for first-party and partnered launch titles, and Ark 2 is no exception. Plenty of fans asking will Ark 2 be on Game Pass also want to know if these perks will carry over if they buy the game later, and the answer is yes – any cosmetic items you claim as a subscriber will stay on your account even if your subscription lapses. Based on perks offered for previous Xbox exclusive survival launches, here's what you can likely expect:
Keep in mind these perks are not officially confirmed yet, but they line up with every major Game Pass launch from the past three years. You won't get locked out of core gameplay content if you don't claim these perks, but they're a nice bonus for anyone already paying for the subscription. I always recommend linking your Studio Wildcard account to your Xbox account as soon as possible if you want to make sure you don't miss out on any limited-time rewards when they drop.
Can You Play Ark 2 on Game Pass Without an Xbox?
Plenty of PC-only players are worried they'll miss out on the Game Pass deal if they don't own an Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One. That's not the case at all. PC Game Pass subscribers get access to the exact same day-one launch version of Ark 2 as console players, with full cross-play and cross-progression support between both platforms. You can even play the game via Xbox Cloud Gaming if you have Game Pass Ultimate, letting you stream it to low-end PCs, mobile devices, or smart TVs without downloading the full 100+ GB game file. That's a great option for anyone who travels a lot or doesn't have a powerful enough gaming rig to run the game on highest settings. If you're a PlayStation player asking will Ark 2 be on Game Pass for PS5, the short answer is no, Microsoft does not offer Game Pass on Sony consoles, and there are no plans to change that any time soon. Studio Wildcard has not announced a PlayStation release date for Ark 2 yet, but most industry analysts expect it to come to PS5 roughly 12 months after its initial Xbox and PC launch. If you're a PlayStation-only player, you'll either have to wait for that release or pick up a cheap Xbox Series S or PC Game Pass subscription to play earlier.
What to Do Now to Prepare for Ark 2 on Game Pass
If you're ready to jump into Ark 2 as soon as it launches via Game Pass, there are a few simple steps you can take right now to make your launch day go as smoothly as possible. Many fans asking will Ark 2 be on Game Pass also wonder if they need to pre-load the game ahead of time, and the answer is yes if you want to play the second it launches, since the file size is well over 100 GB for both PC and console. First, make sure your Game Pass subscription is active and set to auto-renew at least a week before launch. There's always a surge of new subscribers right before big game launches, and you don't want to run into payment processing delays when you're ready to play. Next, take time to brush up on the new gameplay mechanics Studio Wildcard has revealed so far. Ark 2 is ditching the original game's clunky movement system for a more fluid, third-person combat system similar to Dark Souls, so it's not going to feel exactly like the game you already know. If you want to get a head start, you can even practice similar mechanics in other survival games to build muscle memory before launch. Finally, join official Ark community groups to find a tribe to play with before launch. Servers are going to be extremely crowded for the first few weeks, and playing with a coordinated team will make it much easier to claim good base locations and defend yourself from other players and aggressive dinosaurs. You don't have to play with a group, of course, but it's a lot more fun for most people.
At the end of the day, you don't have to stress about missing out on Ark 2 if you're already a Game Pass subscriber. We have official confirmation that will Ark 2 be on Game Pass from day one, and all signs point to the partnership holding even after the game's multiple launch delays. If you're not already a subscriber, you can easily sign up for a cheap first month trial right before launch to play the game for barely any cost, then cancel if you decide it's not for you. No matter how you choose to play, Ark 2 is shaping up to be one of the biggest survival game releases of the decade, and the Game Pass launch is going to make it more accessible than ever for new and returning players alike.