Studio Wildcard has confirmed that ARK 2 is currently planned for a 2028 release, offering the clearest update yet on the long-awaited sequel to its popular survival franchise. The news was shared by studio co-founder Jeremy Stieglitz during Snail Games’ recent Investor Day presentation in New York, where the publisher outlined the next several years of content for ARK: Survival Ascended.
Rather than launching ARK 2 as a clean break, Studio Wildcard is taking a gradual approach. Players are expected to see early versions of the sequel’s mechanics and narrative foundations through major expansions arriving in ARK: Survival Ascended through the end of 2027.
How ARK Reached This Point
The ARK franchise has evolved steadily since development began in 2014. ARK: Survival Evolved entered early access in 2015 and grew into a long-running survival platform. In 2023, Studio Wildcard released ARK: Survival Ascended, a rebuilt version of the game running on Unreal Engine 5, which now serves as the studio’s primary development base.
According to Snail Games, Survival Ascended has sold more than 4 million copies. The game supports user-generated content across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, allowing mods to be shared across platforms. More than 5,000 mods have been created so far, with hundreds of millions of downloads, making community-created content a central pillar of the game’s ecosystem. While not positioned as a web3 product, this emphasis on creator participation aligns with broader trends in player-driven content platforms.
Expansions That Push the Series Forward
The latest expansion, ARK: Lost Colony, launches this week and introduces several franchise firsts. Players can now recruit AI-controlled human characters into their tribes, while computer-controlled factions build bases that can be attacked and looted. The expansion also adds a range of new creatures and leans into a darker, vampire-inspired theme.
Narratively, Lost Colony expands the ARK universe through animated sequences produced by MAPPA and in-game cinematics created using Unreal Engine 5’s Metahuman technology. The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Madeleine Madden, Auli'i Cravalho, and Karl Urban, who returns as the character Bob. This release also marks the debut of Bob’s redesigned appearance, modeled after Urban.
Urban’s character will continue to appear in future downloadable content, including Bob’s True Tales: Tides of Fortune in 2026 and Bob’s True Tales: Galaxy Wars in 2027, reinforcing his growing role within the franchise.
A Multi-Year Plan Leading to ARK 2
Studio Wildcard outlined a detailed roadmap extending through 2027. In 2026, the studio plans to relaunch ARK: Survival of the Fittest, a competitive spin-off focused on large-scale survival combat. The mode is now being handled by Studio Siren, which will support it as an ongoing esports-style experience.
That same year also brings a pirate-themed expansion, Bob’s True Tales: Tides of Fortune, alongside the release of the ARK Genesis map. Later in 2026, Studio Wildcard plans to introduce the ARK World Creator, a new in-game tool designed to make content creation more accessible. Unlike traditional modding tools, it allows players to build experiences directly inside the game, drawing comparisons to Fortnite’s UEFN and Roblox-style creation systems.
Content continues into 2027 with expansions such as ARK Dragontopia, ARK Atlantis, and Bob’s True Tales: Galaxy Wars, which focuses on space combat and large-scale ship battles. The year concludes with Legacy of Santiago, an expansion that directly connects ARK: Survival Ascended to ARK 2.
Testing the Future Inside a Live Game
According to Stieglitz, Legacy of Santiago acts as both a narrative bridge and a mechanical testing ground for ARK 2. New combat systems, including third-person melee and Soulslike-inspired encounters, will be introduced in this expansion before appearing in the sequel.
This approach reflects lessons learned during previous transitions within the franchise. When support for ARK: Survival Evolved ended abruptly, many players felt unprepared to move on. Studio Wildcard now plans to continue updating Survival Ascended even after ARK 2 launches, allowing players to transition at their own pace.
Vin Diesel’s Role Remains Flexible
One of the biggest unknowns surrounding ARK 2 is the extent of Vin Diesel’s involvement. Diesel was announced as a key part of the project in 2020, but his availability remains uncertain. Stieglitz acknowledged that the amount of performance capture the studio receives will shape how central Diesel’s character is to the game’s story.
Studio Wildcard has developed multiple narrative paths depending on Diesel’s level of participation. While Karl Urban’s presence has expanded in recent ARK content, the studio has not confirmed whether his role will extend further into ARK 2.
A Measured Path Toward the Sequel
By rolling out new ideas through expansions rather than holding them back for a single release, Studio Wildcard is attempting to reduce risk while maintaining player engagement. Whether this strategy ultimately benefits ARK 2 will depend on how well these systems resonate with the existing community and how clearly the sequel distinguishes itself when it finally arrives in 2028.
Source: Epic Games
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is ARK 2 expected to release?
Studio Wildcard currently plans to release ARK 2 in 2028, though the date has not been finalized.
Will ARK 2 replace ARK: Survival Ascended?
No. Studio Wildcard plans to continue supporting ARK: Survival Ascended alongside ARK 2 for as long as players remain active and interested.
What is Legacy of Santiago?
Legacy of Santiago is a major expansion for ARK: Survival Ascended arriving in late 2027. It serves as a narrative prequel to ARK 2 and introduces gameplay mechanics that will carry over into the sequel.
Is Vin Diesel still involved in ARK 2?
Vin Diesel is still attached to the project, but the scope of his role depends on his availability for performance capture.
Will ARK 2 include new combat mechanics?
Yes. Studio Wildcard has confirmed that ARK 2 will feature new third-person melee combat systems, which will be tested first in ARK: Survival Ascended expansions.
