If you’re a long-time Ark: Survival Evolved fan who plays primarily on PlayStation 5, you’ve almost certainly asked yourself will Ark 2 come to PS5 at some point over the last few years. The original Ark was one of the most popular cross-platform survival games of the last decade, with millions of PS4 and PS5 players building bases, taming dinos, and fighting off raiders across official and private servers. Studio Wildcard’s follow-up, starring Vin Diesel as protagonist Santiago Meza, has been hotly anticipated since its first reveal, but platform plans have been surprisingly murky for a title this high-profile. We’ve pulled together every official update, developer comment, and credible industry rumor to give you the clearest possible answer to this common player question.
Official Confirmation: Will Ark 2 Come to PS5?
Right now, there is no official confirmation that Ark 2 will launch on PS5 alongside its initial Xbox and PC release, but that doesn’t mean it will never come to Sony’s console. As of 2024, Ark 2 is scheduled to launch in early access for Xbox Series X/S and PC in late 2025, with no mention of a PS5 release date in the official launch announcement. This timed exclusivity is tied to Microsoft’s partial funding of the game’s development, a common arrangement for high-profile third-party titles that the platform holder wants to use to draw new users to its ecosystem. Timed console exclusivity periods for first-party and co-funded Microsoft titles typically last 12 to 18 months after the initial launch date. Studio Wildcard has repeatedly declined to comment on post-exclusivity platform plans, but they have also never stated that Ark 2 will be a permanent Xbox exclusive. The game’s official website and FAQ only list confirmed launch platforms, with no language ruling out a future PS5 port. It’s also worth noting that the original Ark was a timed Xbox console exclusive when it first launched in 2015, before coming to PS4 a year later.
Factors That Make a PS5 Release Likely
There are very few reasons for Studio Wildcard to skip a PS5 release entirely, even if it comes a year or two after the initial launch. The original Ark: Survival Evolved sold over 7 million copies on PlayStation 4 and PS5 alone, making it one of the top 10 best-selling survival games on the platform of all time. Walking away from that established player base would be a massive financial misstep for the independent studio, which is not owned by Microsoft and relies on broad sales to recoup development costs. If you’ve been holding off on buying an Xbox just to play the sequel, the strong likelihood that Ark 2 will come to PS5 eventually means you don’t have to make that investment unless you want to. Some of the biggest reasons to be optimistic about a PS5 port include:
What PS5 Players Can Expect If Ark 2 Launches on the Platform
If Ark 2 does come to PS5 after the exclusivity window ends, you won’t be missing out on any core content compared to players on other platforms. PS5 players will get access to all the same core gameplay features as Xbox and PC players, including the new soulslike combat system, fully traversable open world, dynamic weather, and over 100 new tamed creatures not present in the original game. Studio Wildcard has already confirmed that all post-launch DLC will roll out to all platforms at the same time once the exclusivity window ends, so you won’t be waiting extra for new maps or story content. It’s also likely that the PS5 version will get a few platform-specific features to take advantage of the console’s unique hardware. You can expect haptic feedback support that makes taming dinos or fighting off predators feel more immersive, 3D audio that lets you hear approaching raiders or wild creatures before you see them, and a 60fps performance mode at 4K resolution. There’s also a small chance that Sony will add a small exclusive bonus for PS5 players, like a unique dino skin or early access to a limited-time in-game event, to drive pre-orders when the port is announced. Cross-play support is almost guaranteed as well, given that the original Ark supported cross-play across all platforms for most of its lifespan. That means you’ll be able to play with friends on Xbox, PC, or even Switch if you want, without being locked to only PS5 servers. You will likely also be able to transfer your progression from other platforms if you’ve already played the game on Xbox or PC during the exclusivity window, though that feature hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Steps You Can Take to Stay Updated on Ark 2 PS5 News
Until Studio Wildcard makes an official announcement, any reports of a confirmed Ark 2 PS5 release date are just rumors, so it’s important to get your information from reliable sources. The most reliable source for Ark 2 platform updates is the official Studio Wildcard Twitter/X account and community Discord server, where devs regularly post news and answer player questions directly. You can also sign up for the official Ark newsletter on the Studio Wildcard website to get alerts sent straight to your inbox as soon as new platform plans are announced. You can also add Ark 2 to your PlayStation Store wishlist once it’s listed, which will send you a notification as soon as pre-orders go live. Be wary of any third-party retailers listing Ark 2 pre-orders for PS5 right now, though, as none of these listings are authorized by Studio Wildcard, and many are scams designed to steal your money. Never buy a pre-order code from an untrusted seller, even if they claim to have early access to PS5 copies. If you’re eager to get a taste of what Ark 2 will feel like while you wait, you can play the original Ark: Survival Ascended remaster on PS5 right now. It includes many of the same engine upgrades and quality of life changes that will be present in Ark 2, so it’s a good way to get familiar with the updated gameplay mechanics before the sequel launches. You can also join fan communities on Reddit or Discord to discuss rumors and share news with other PS5 players who are waiting for the game.
At the end of the day, the answer to will Ark 2 come to PS5 is almost certainly yes, just not at the same time as the Xbox and PC launch. The timed exclusivity window is a temporary hurdle, not a permanent barrier, and the huge existing PS5 player base for the franchise makes a later port a no-brainer for Studio Wildcard. You might have to wait a year or two after the initial launch to play it on your PS5, but all signs point to the game coming to Sony’s platform eventually. In the meantime, you can keep playing the original Ark on PS5, try out the community mod maps, or follow official channels to get the latest updates as soon as they drop.