ARK 2 – Everything You Need to Know

ARK 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFORMATION

ARK is a game full of beauty with many unique creatures and worlds that you can explore through. Through endless customization and the ability to play different maps, try hundreds of mods, and play exactly how you want to with other players through ARK servers, ARK has seen amazing growth with even more coming!

With ARK’s success, ARK 2 was a welcomed addition to the franchise that everyone had been awaiting that will bring on the continued story of ARK. Let’s explore the astonishing details and news about ARK 2 and what you can look forward to with its release!

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT OF ARK 2

The first announcement of ARK 2 occurred during The Game Awards in 2020. Everyone cheered when hearing about the release of ARK 2, with the likes of actor Vin Diesel appearing in the trailer as he ventured forth with his tribe battling dangerous enemies and dinosaurs fighting to escape and purge his record in the ARK! You can see the trailer here:

During the fights in the trailer, intense combat occurs when Vin Diesel’s tribe is raided by human-like creatures wearing skeleton armor. Things are looking bad when several of the bandits surround Vin as he draws his axe but then suddenly through the brush a t-rex charges toward them causing everyone to panic. As they run away from the carnage, Vin Diesel holds back the t-rex temporarily and then stops the remaining bandits to save his tribe. The t-rex catches up though and Vin’s tribe runs and manages to get inside of a cave before it is too late.

That was the last news of ARK 2 until 2022 when the next announcement arrived!

ARK 2 SHOWCASE & SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT

Coming in alongside the release of the Fjordur DLC for ARK, ARK 2 received its second trailer and announcement during The 2022 Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. The Fast and Furious actor Vin Diesel is seen once again in action, riding atop a deadly saddled Tyrannosaurus rex as he rides forward with a young girl named Meeka alongside him. During the initial scenes, we learn an interesting detail about the possible beginnings of ARK.

Trailer subtitles from “Meeka”: “My dad tells stories of a terrible war that happened across the sky… Heroes fought – and died – to give us a chance to start over. All that I know from their Earth are the creatures they sent along with us. And here on Arat, every day is a fight to survive. But if anyone can tame this new world… we can.”

Watch ARK 2’s second trailer here:

ARK 2 SUPPORTED PLATFORMS

OFFICIAL STEAM PAGE FOR ARK 2

After the second announcement of ARK 2, the release of the Steam page happened with more details on the game and the excitement to come. An epic story featuring Santiago, played by Vin Diesel, will go on an adventure with Meeka, in third-person-only gameplay and enhanced combat to take on a massive new alien environment. You can currently add ARK 2 to your wishlist on Steam from this page.

Below, we will cover the specifics of what you can look forward to in ARK 2’s release based on the information from the trailers and Steam page!

ARK 2 ONLY ON XBOX AND PC

After the wait for more information, Studio Wildcard confirmed the consoles and systems that ARK 2 will be supported on. At the moment, ARK 2 is said to be an Xbox Series X launch exclusive that will then be released on PC as well sometime in 2023. There is currently no information on if ARK 2 will be released on PlayStation.

WHEN WILL ARK 2 BE RELEASED?

With all the hype, ARK 2 is going to be an exciting new adventure for ARK players alike. At the moment, ARK 2 is still currently in development by Studio Wildcard with the release date scheduled to be sometime in 2023.

ARK 2 GAMEPLAY SO FAR

While there is no official gameplay yet, the trailers offer details on what we can await, along with new details emerging from ARK 2’s Steam page about advanced combat coming to the game.

Let’s break down everything we know so far about ARK 2 from the story, combat, graphics, creatures, and progression to look forward to until ARK 2 releases!

ARK 2 STORY

A brand new and unique sequel to ARK: Survival Evolved, ARK 2 will star Vin Diesel as legendary ARK hero Santiago, set to go on a huge adventure with his daughter Meeka as he seeks to protect her from “ghosts” of the ancient past and in visions of the future as they explore and uncover the secrets of the alien planet Arat.

COMBAT AND MOVEMENT IN ARK 2

ARK 2 combat is being compared to “Dark Souls” style combat, with target-locking, blocks, combos, dodges, staggers, and special attacks to ensure player skill is tested in combat. Advanced character mechanics including mantling, free-climbing, parkour, sliding, and swinging will allow you to move freer than ever within the universe of ARK! From what we’ve seen in the trailers so far with melee combat, axes, defending, and spear throwing, combat is taking a more hardcore and hands-on approach!

GRAPHICS AND ENVIRONMENT FOR ARK 2

The world of ARK 2 is going to be more realistic than ever before with the inclusion and full utilization of Unreal Engine 5. Passing through forests, you will see realistic foliage and shadows moving about to the wind, leaves flowing, gentle flowing water going down a nearby stream, smoke above from nearby fires, and even weather systems that can move into the areas of the ARK land Arat. The days will flow with realistic day and night cycles and ambient lighting to provide the most natural and player-constructed environments for all.

CREATURES AND AI WITHIN ARK 2

More realistic than ever before, creature AI in ARK 2 will see great improvements. No longer will ARK use omnipresent radar, upgrading the creatures of its world with actual tracking and hunting through sight, sound, and smell! Creatures will be able to track much more intelligently through world obstacles and player-built structures. Use realistic camouflage and environmental objects to hide while you use masking techniques to hide your scent from predators.

CHARACTER PROGRESS OF ARK 2

Utilizing a skill tree, players will be able to earn experience points and knowledge points to complete key objects and take on challenges to progress, achieving new skills, perks, abilities, and passive benefits for their character!

CROSS-PLATFORM MODDING ARK 2

A first in the ARK series, ARK 2 will include modding that will be shared across all supported game platforms. Including user created maps, gameplay features, creatures, and items, players will be able to try mods from their favorite systems including on your own unofficial ARK 2 server!

WHAT TO DO UNTIL ARK 2 RELEASES

If you and your team are waiting for the release of ARK 2, why not try the original story of ARK or the Fjodur DLC that was released on June 12th? You and your friends can experience an ARK: Survival Evolved server where you’ll explore across multiple ARKs, tame wild and dangerous dinosaurs, and build amazing foundations with tons of custom structures. An ARK server ensures you and your players can explore together, share resources, and create fun memories of your adventures, and creating your own server is easy with Nitrado!

Get started with your own ARK server and uncover the secrets of the ARK!

ARE YOU EXCITED FOR ARK 2?

From Vin Diesel and his extraordinary battles to the distinctive dinosaurs seen in the trailers, and the mysterious purging of his data as they escaped, a huge story looks to be unfolding! What are you most excited about for ARK 2?

Continue to watch for the latest news and details as there is sure to be a lot more to come about ARK 2 with the release being this year! Until then, try the original story of ARK with friends on your own ARK: Survival Evolved server!