If you’ve spent dozens, if not hundreds, of hours taming dinosaurs, building fortified bases, and fighting off rival tribes in Ark: Survival Evolved, you’ve likely been counting down to Ark 2’s launch for years. The biggest question on most players’ minds right now is will ark 2 be on gamepass, especially since the first title was a mainstay on Microsoft’s subscription service for years, drawing in millions of new players to the franchise. We’ve compiled all official announcements, developer comments, and verified industry patterns to give you a clear, rumor-free answer, plus all the extra details you need to know before launch day.
Will Ark 2 Be on Gamepass? Confirmed Official Details
If you’ve been following Ark 2’s development, you probably know it’s a timed console exclusive for the Xbox Series X/S, so its Gamepass inclusion was widely rumored for months before the official confirmation. Studio Wildcard’s partnership with Microsoft goes back to the first Ark’s launch, so this move isn’t out of left field at all. Ark 2 will launch day one on both Xbox Gamepass and PC Gamepass, per the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase announcement, and that applies to all active subscribers, no extra purchase required. The only exception is if you want the deluxe edition with season pass access and exclusive in-game items, which you can purchase separately at a discount if you’re a Gamepass member.
The first Ark was added to Gamepass in 2019, and it stayed in the library for more than four years, consistently ranking as one of the top 10 most played survival games on the service. Studio Wildcard has noted that Gamepass was responsible for nearly 30% of the first game’s total player base, so extending the partnership for the sequel was an easy decision for both teams. You won’t have to worry about limited access or locked content for the base game if you play through Gamepass, either, as Microsoft has confirmed the subscription version is identical to the standalone retail release.
Perks of Playing Ark 2 Through Gamepass
For most players, Gamepass is the most cost-effective way to play Ark 2 on launch day, but the benefits go far beyond just avoiding the $69.99 standard edition price tag. Here are the biggest perks you’ll get as a Gamepass subscriber playing Ark 2:
That doesn’t mean buying a physical or digital standalone copy is a bad choice, of course. If you plan to play Ark 2 for years and want permanent access even if you cancel your subscription, owning the game outright makes sense. But for casual players or anyone who wants to test the game before committing to a full purchase, Gamepass is unbeatable value. I tested the first Ark through Gamepass back in 2020, and I ended up sinking 700 hours into it without ever paying the full retail price, so I know firsthand how great this deal is for franchise fans.
Steps to Take to Play Ark 2 on Gamepass Launch Day
Even though Gamepass access is confirmed, there are a few simple steps you can take to make sure you don’t run into issues when the game goes live. First, double check that your subscription is active and not set to expire around launch day. I made the mistake of letting my Gamepass subscription lapse the day Starfield launched, and I missed the first 6 hours of playtime waiting for my payment to process, so don’t make that same error. If your renewal date is within a week of Ark 2’s launch, renew early to avoid billing delays.
Next, turn on auto-updates for the Xbox app on PC or your Xbox Series X/S console, and make sure you have at least 120 GB of free storage space. Studio Wildcard usually opens pre-loads 3 full days before launch, so you can download the entire game ahead of time and jump in the second it goes live. If you plan to play via cloud gaming, test your internet connection a few days before launch to make sure you have consistent speeds, and download the Xbox Game Pass app on your mobile device if you haven’t already.
You don’t need to pre-order anything to access the base game through Gamepass, but if you want the deluxe edition bonuses, you can pre-purchase the upgrade at the Gamepass discount a week before launch to have the content ready to go when the game drops. Just make sure you’re signed into the same Microsoft account you use for your Gamepass subscription to get the automatic discount.
Common Misconceptions About Ark 2 and Gamepass
There’s a lot of misinformation floating around online about Ark 2’s Gamepass release, so we’re breaking down the most common myths to clear up confusion. First, many players worry the Gamepass version will have limited content or locked gameplay features, but that’s completely false. The Gamepass base edition of Ark 2 is identical to the $69.99 standard retail edition, with full access to the single-player campaign, all multiplayer modes, cross-play support, and mod tools, same as anyone who buys the game standalone.
Another common myth is that Ark 2 will be removed from Gamepass after 6 months. That’s not the case for first-party or Xbox exclusive titles, which usually stay in the Gamepass library permanently. Since Ark 2 is a timed Xbox console exclusive, it’s expected to remain on Gamepass for at least 3 years, if not longer, so you don’t have to rush to beat it before it gets removed. The only time you’ll lose access is if you cancel your Gamepass subscription, which is standard for all games on the service.
Some players also assume mod support will be locked for Gamepass users, but Studio Wildcard has confirmed both the PC and Xbox Gamepass versions will have full access to the official Ark 2 mod workshop. You’ll be able to download and play custom maps, modded game modes, and user-created content just like players who bought the standalone game. The only minor restriction is that console mod support will be limited to curated mods approved by Studio Wildcard, which is the same for all console versions of the game, not just Gamepass copies.
At the end of the day, the question of will ark 2 be on gamepass has a clear, confirmed yes, and that’s great news for every survival game fan who’s been waiting for the sequel to drop. You don’t have to drop $70 day one to play, and you get access to a ton of extra perks if you’re already a subscriber. If you haven’t tried Gamepass before, you can even sign up for a $1 trial for the first month, which is more than enough time to sink dozens of hours into Ark 2 before deciding if you want to keep the subscription. Just make sure you get your account set up ahead of launch, so you don’t miss out on the first few days of exploring the new world, taming dinosaurs, and fighting other players with your friends.