Still Skeptical: Five Years Later, Ark 2’s Release Remains Uncertain

A memorable highlight from The Game Awards 2020 was the announcement of Ark: Survival Evolved’s sequel, Ark 2, featuring Vin Diesel in an astonishing CGI portrayal. Fast forward five years, and Ark 2 remains elusive, with delays pushing its release to potentially a decade after the original game.

Doubts about its arrival are growing with each setback. Studio Wildcard co-founder Jeremy Stieglitz recently shared at an investor event that the new target for launch is now 2028. In the meantime, a significant update for the original game is set for late 2027, which will introduce some of the mechanics and story elements planned for Ark 2.

“Legacy of Santiago is going to incorporate many of the new combat mechanics we want to test, including Soulslike third-person and melee combat,” Stieglitz explained in an interview. “However, it won’t feature the extensive narrative world-building we envision for Ark 2. If the mechanics prove successful in Legacy of Santiago, the main draw of Ark 2 could be its expansive campaign narrative as a standalone experience.”

However, plans have shifted multiple times since Ark 2 was first announced. Initially slated for a 2023 release, it was then moved to an Early Access launch in 2024, which came and went without updates. Earlier this year, Stieglitz expressed hope for a 2027 Early Access release, but now it’s been pushed to 2028. Vin Diesel’s involvement has also been somewhat unpredictable.

Currently, Ark: Survival Evolved is collaborating with Karl Urban, who may take on a larger role in Ark 2. The specifics of Vin Diesel’s participation remain uncertain. “The question is: How much performance are we going to get from him?” Stieglitz noted. “Are we looking at one day, five days, or eight hours? The extent of his involvement will shape how the narrative unfolds. We have plans based on varying levels of Vin Diesel’s participation.”