If you were hoping to play ARK 2 anytime soon, Studio Wildcard has been pretty clear that it is not happening yet. In fact, the team is now targeting 2028. But instead of dodging the delay, the studio is being unusually open about why it is taking so long, and how they are trying to avoid repeating past mistakes.
In a recent interview with wccftech, Studio Wildcard explained that ARK 2 is simply too big, too risky, and too important to rush. Rather than betting everything on one massive launch, the team is using ARK: Survival Ascended and its upcoming expansions as a kind of live testing ground.
ARK: Survival Ascended
According to the developers, Survival Ascended is not just a visual upgrade or a way to revisit old content. It is where a lot of the ideas meant for ARK 2 are being tested, refined, and sometimes reworked entirely.
Expansions like Lost Colony and The Legacy of Santiago are part of that plan. They let the team try out new systems, storytelling approaches, and technical solutions without putting the entire future of the studio on the line.
Wildcard straight-up admits that launching a full sequel without this step would be a huge risk, one they are not willing to take after everything ARK has been through over the years.
Learning From the Past, Not Repeating It
ARK’s history has not exactly been the best. Performance issues, rough launches, and long periods of instability are things longtime players remember all too well. This time, the studio says it wants to get things right before committing to ARK 2, instead of fixing everything after launch.
That is also why ARK 2 will not be another early access-style release. Wildcard wants it to be released as a complete, stable experience, even if that means waiting several more years.
Tech Improvements Are Part of the Plan Too
On the technical side, the studio confirmed that Unreal Engine upgrades are already making a big difference. ARK: Survival Ascended reportedly runs far better now than it did at launch, and future engine updates could push performance even further.
These improvements do not just help current players, they are laying the groundwork for ARK 2, and even making things like a potential Switch 2 version possible down the line.
When Should You Expect Real ARK 2 News?
For now, ARK 2 is being built slowly on purpose. Studio Wildcard is choosing long-term stability over a fast release, and using Survival Ascended as a bridge rather than a distraction. It might not be the most exciting answer, but for a game this ambitious, it is probably the safest one.
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