If you’re a PS5 owner who’s spent hundreds of hours taming T-Rexes, building fortified bases, and fighting off rival tribes in the original Ark: Survival Evolved, you’ve probably asked will ark 2 be on ps5 at least a dozen times over the last few years. The sequel has been in development for what feels like forever, with multiple delays, vague release windows, and plenty of conflicting rumors about platform exclusivity floating around online. We’ve dug through all official statements from developer Studio Wildcard, cross-referenced industry leaks, and broken down every detail you need to know about the PS5 release of one of the most anticipated survival games of the decade. We’ll also cover what features you can expect, how the port will compare to other platforms, and what you can do to get ready before it drops.
Will Ark 2 Be On PS5? Breaking Down Official Release Statements
The short answer to the most common question among Ark’s PlayStation fanbase is yes, but you’re going to have to wait a little longer than Xbox and PC players to get your hands on it. When Ark 2 was first announced alongside the animated series back in 2020, Microsoft revealed it would be a timed console exclusive for the Xbox ecosystem. A lot of fans misinterpreted that announcement as a permanent exclusive, but Studio Wildcard clarified shortly after that the exclusivity window is only 12 months from the game’s initial launch.
Timed exclusivity for Ark 2 only applies to Xbox Series X/S and PC for the first 12 months post-launch. That means as soon as that 12-month window closes, Ark 2 will be available to purchase and download on PS5, with no further restrictions. Wildcard has a long track record of supporting PlayStation platforms for the original Ark, including regular content updates, crossplay support, and exclusive PS5 upgrades for the original game, so there’s no reason to believe they’ll go back on that promise for the sequel.
We’ve also seen multiple industry insiders with proven track records for Ark leaks confirm that the PS5 port is already in active development, alongside the Xbox and PC versions, so it won’t be a rushed, low-quality port when it launches. The team has even shared snippets of PS5 gameplay during internal playtest streams, showing that the game runs smoothly at 60fps even in crowded areas with dozens of dynamic creatures and player-built structures.
What PS5 Players Can Expect From The Ark 2 Port
One of the biggest concerns PS5 players have is that they’ll miss out on exclusive content or get a lower-quality version of the game compared to Xbox and PC players. Wildcard has addressed that directly, stating that all platform versions of Ark 2 will have full feature parity, with no platform-exclusive creatures, events, or gameplay mechanics. PS5 players won't miss out on any core Ark 2 content, including post-launch DLC and community events.
The PS5 version will also take full advantage of the console’s unique hardware features to make the gameplay experience even more immersive. You can expect adaptive trigger support that changes resistance when you’re drawing a bow, firing a rifle, or even attempting to tame a skittish herbivore, so you feel every action in your hands. The 3D audio support will let you pinpoint the exact location of a lurking Raptor or distant Rex roar before you see it, which is a game-changer for hardcore PVP players.
The PS5’s ultra-fast SSD will also eliminate the long load times that plagued the original Ark on older consoles, so you can fast travel across the map in seconds, no more waiting 5+ minutes for a new area to render. Crossplay will also be fully supported across all platforms once the PS5 version launches, so you can team up with friends who play on Xbox or PC, or join public servers with players from every platform. The only difference you’ll notice is that PS5 servers will have their own dedicated ladders for PVP rankings, so PlayStation players don’t have to compete against PC players with mouse and keyboard advantages if they don’t want to.
Key Factors That Could Impact The PS5 Release Timeline
While the 12-month exclusivity window is set in stone per Wildcard’s contract with Microsoft, there are a few small factors that could push the PS5 release back a week or two beyond that window, though none of them are expected to cause major delays. We’ve broken down the most important ones below:
There are no current plans to delay the PS5 release beyond the 12-month exclusivity window, unless unforeseen development issues arise. Wildcard has already shared that they’ve been running internal playtests of the PS5 version for several months, and it’s already performing on par with the Xbox Series X version in most testing scenarios. If you follow official Ark social media channels, you can expect to get an exact PS5 release date about 3 months before the exclusivity window ends, so you’ll have plenty of time to pre-order and clear space on your console’s hard drive.
How To Prepare For Ark 2 On PS5 Ahead Of Launch
Even though you have a bit of a wait before you can play Ark 2 on your PS5, there are a few things you can do right now to make sure you’re ready to hit the ground running as soon as it launches. First, if you played the original Ark on PS4 or PS5, you can link your PlayStation account to your free Studio Wildcard account now to unlock exclusive launch cosmetics for Ark 2, including a special PS5-exclusive dinosaur skin and a base building set themed around the original game’s Scorched Earth DLC. Note that your saved progress, tames, and bases from the original game won’t carry over to Ark 2, since it’s a completely new game with a new map and gameplay mechanics.
Pre-ordering the deluxe edition of Ark 2 on PS5 will also include all three planned story DLC packs for 50% less than buying them separately. Pre-orders are expected to go live about a month before the official PS5 release date, so keep an eye out for that if you want to save money on post-launch content. If you’re planning to play a lot of multiplayer, you can also start rounding up your tribe members now, since server slots are expected to fill up fast in the first few weeks after launch.
It’s also a good idea to brush up on your taming and building skills in the original Ark if you’ve taken a break, since the core gameplay loop will be similar, even with the new third-person combat and survival mechanics. You don't need a PS Plus subscription to play single-player Ark 2, but you will need one for public multiplayer and community servers, so make sure your subscription is up to date if you plan on playing with other people.
So to answer the question that brought you here, will ark 2 be on ps5, the short answer is a resounding yes, you just have to wait a little longer than players on other platforms. The 12-month timed exclusivity window might feel frustrating right now, but it also means the PS5 version will launch with all the bug fixes, balance changes, and early post-launch content that Xbox and PC players test first, so you’ll get a more polished experience right out of the box. You also won’t miss out on any core content or community events, and you’ll get access to all the PS5-specific features that make the game feel tailored to your console. If you’re craving more dinosaur survival action while you wait, you can always jump back into the original Ark’s PS5 upgraded servers to mess around with friends, or try out some of the other great survival games available on PS5 right now to pass the time.