Wildcard, the creator of Ark: Survival Evolved, has announced that its sequel, Ark 2, has been delayed until 2024. Initially planned for release in 2023, the developers have decided to push back the launch date to focus on creating the best possible player experience.
In a blog post, Studio Wildcard explained that the delay is primarily due to the developers’ ongoing work with the new Unreal Engine 5 technology. The team wants to ensure they’re using cutting-edge technology to its fullest potential to create a game with a never-before-achieved scope. The extra time will allow the developers to adapt their workflows and pipelines for the next-generation gaming paradigm.
To bridge the gap, the studio will release a remastered version of Ark: Survival Evolved called Ark: Survival Ascended, which will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC in August 2023. The remaster will not be a free upgrade. Xbox and PC players can purchase the Ark Respawned Bundle for $49.99, which includes the remaster and Ark 2, while PS5 owners can buy the remaster as a standalone purchase for $39.99.
Studio Wildcard announced they would shut down all official servers for Ark: Survival Evolved when Survival Ascended is released as part of the transition to the remastered version. Players can still access the game via single-player, non-dedicated, player-dedicated, and unofficial servers. Ark: Survival Ascended will have its own fully supported official network across all platforms.
