If you’re a fan of the original Ark: Survival Evolved, you’ve probably spent dozens, if not hundreds, of hours taming dinosaurs, building bases, and fighting off raiders on Steam. It’s no surprise that one of the most common questions fans ask as the sequel nears launch is will Ark 2 be on Steam, especially since the first game became a cultural hit on the platform thanks to its active modding scene and huge player base. I’ve been following Ark 2 updates closely since its initial announcement, and I’ve pulled together all confirmed and rumored details to help you plan for launch day, whether you’re hoping to play with friends or dive straight into modded servers.
Will Ark 2 Be on Steam? Confirmed Platform Details So Far
Studio Wildcard has a years-long track record of supporting Steam, starting with the original Ark’s early access launch in 2015 that went on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide across all platforms. Studio Wildcard has officially confirmed Steam as a launch platform for Ark 2’s PC release, so you don’t have to worry about the franchise ditching the storefront that helped build its massive community. The announcement came alongside news that the game will also launch day one on PC Game Pass, but that doesn’t mean Steam players will get a lesser experience.
That means you’ll have two main options for PC play at launch, and both will get all the same core content updates and expansion packs for the first three years post-launch. All pre-order bonuses will be available across both Steam and Microsoft Store versions of the game, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on exclusive skins, early beta access, or in-game items if you pick Steam over Game Pass. The only difference between the two PC versions right now is that Game Pass subscribers can play the base game at no extra cost, while Steam users will have to purchase it outright.
What Steam-specific Features Can You Expect for Ark 2?
The biggest draw of the Steam version of any Ark game has always been its robust modding support, and Ark 2 is no exception. Studio Wildcard has confirmed full Steam Workshop support for Ark 2, so modders will be able to upload and share custom content just like they did for the first game. For context, the original Ark has over 100,000 user-created mods on Steam Workshop, ranging from small quality-of-life tweaks to full total conversion mods that turn the game into a completely different experience.
If you’re wondering what extra perks you’ll get for picking the Steam version over other PC storefronts, here are the top confirmed benefits:
If you’re someone who spends more time playing modded Ark than the vanilla version, sticking with the Steam release is definitely the right call for you. The Microsoft Store modding ecosystem is far smaller, and most popular Ark modders have already said they plan to upload their Ark 2 content to Steam Workshop first, so you’ll get access to new mods weeks or even months before they show up on other storefronts.
Common Concerns About the Steam Release of Ark 2
Even with official confirmation of the Steam launch, there are still a lot of unanswered questions floating around fan communities that I want to clear up. The most common question I see is about crossplay, and whether Steam players will be locked out of playing with friends on other platforms. Crossplay will be supported across all PC platforms, including Steam, Microsoft Store, and PC Game Pass, so you can play with friends no matter which PC storefront they use. Crossplay with Xbox is also confirmed, though there’s no word yet on PlayStation crossplay at launch.
Another common concern is pricing, and whether the Steam version will be more expensive than other PC versions. Pricing will be identical across all PC platforms, with the standard edition set at $59.99 and the deluxe edition, which includes extra skins, a digital art book, and early beta access, set at $89.99. There are usually small launch discounts for Steam users who pre-order, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the store page in the weeks leading up to launch.
The only real caveat to note right now is for players who got a free Ark 2 copy with their Genesis Part 2 purchase for the original Ark. That free copy is locked to the platform you bought Genesis Part 2 on, so if you bought it on Steam, your free Ark 2 copy will only work on Steam, and vice versa for the Microsoft Store. You won’t be able to transfer that free copy between platforms, so keep that in mind if you’re thinking of switching storefronts for the sequel.
How to Prepare for Ark 2’s Steam Launch Right Now
If you’re already counting down the days until you can play Ark 2 on Steam, there are a few simple steps you can take now to make launch day as smooth as possible. First, add the official Ark 2 store page to your Steam wishlist. That way you’ll get a notification as soon as the game goes live, and you’ll also get alerts for pre-order discounts, beta sign-ups, or last-minute launch delays.
Second, check that your PC meets the minimum system requirements, which Studio Wildcard released last year. You’ll need at least 16GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GTX 1060 or equivalent GPU, 100GB of free SSD storage, and a 64-bit version of Windows 10 to run the vanilla game at 1080p 30fps. If you plan to play modded Ark 2, you’ll want to upgrade your storage to at least 200GB of free SSD space, since large mod packs can add 50GB or more to the game’s install size, and running the game off a hard drive will lead to long load times and performance issues.
Third, join the official Ark Steam community group to get updates on beta sign-ups, launch day events, and early patch notes. You can also connect with other players who are looking for group members for PvP or PvE servers, so you’ll have a crew to play with as soon as servers go live. I’ve already joined a few community groups for my favorite modders, so I’ll get notified as soon as their first Ark 2 mods are available to download.
At the end of the day, you don’t have to worry about missing out on Ark 2 if you’re a loyal Steam user. We’ve got official confirmation that will Ark 2 be on Steam at launch, with all the platform-specific features that made the first game such a long-running hit. Whether you’re a vanilla player who just wants to explore the new alien world and tame never-before-seen dinosaurs, or a modding fan who can’t wait to see what the community builds, the Steam release of Ark 2 will have everything you loved about the first game, plus a ton of improvements to combat, building, and exploration. Just make sure to keep an eye on your wishlist notifications so you don’t miss the launch day drop, and don’t forget to clear out that extra SSD space if you plan to download mods.