The much-anticipated dinosaur survival game, Ark 2, which had sparked concerns about potential delays or cancellation, is now back in the spotlight. Developer Studio Wildcard has announced a new expansion for the Ark 1 remake, Ark: Survival Ascended, titled Ark: Lost Colony. This expansion not only revitalizes interest in the franchise but also sets the stage for the upcoming sequel.
Ark: Lost Colony marks the first original expansion pack for Ark: Survival Ascended. The reveal trailer, crafted by the renowned anime studio Mappa, known for works like Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, and Chainsaw Man, features voice acting by Michelle Yeoh, who returns as Mei Yin from Ark: The Animated Series. You can watch the trailer here:
Studio Wildcard promises that Ark: Lost Colony will include numerous cinema-grade anime story sequences produced by Mappa. The official description teases an immersive journey into a frozen world, where players will trace the steps of the legendary Ark survivor Mei Yin. This soul-searching quest delves into the chilling heart of darkness, uncovering long-buried secrets of Ark's past.
The expansion introduces thrilling new challenges, including surviving as the hunted in a vast occupied city. Players will gain access to powerful new character abilities, unique gear, innovative building systems, and exotic tames. The narrative will challenge survivors to confront the demons lurking in Arat Prime and bridge the gap between Ark's past and future.
Studio Wildcard emphasized that Ark: Lost Colony "directly connects" the storylines of the Extinction and Genesis expansions, paving the way for the events in Ark 2. The sequel, powered by Unreal Engine 5, was first unveiled with a surprise Vin Diesel appearance at The Game Awards 2020, initially slated for a 2022 release. However, it faced multiple delays, pushing the expected launch to late 2024 as an Xbox Series X and S console exclusive, available day-one on Game Pass, and on PC via Steam and Windows.
Despite assurances from Studio Wildcard in December 2023 that Ark 2 was on track for a late 2024 release, the game did not meet this deadline, fueling fan concerns. The recent announcement in March 2025 reassures fans that Ark 2 is still in development, though an updated release window was not provided.
For Ark: Lost Colony, more concrete details are available. Pre-orders will begin in June 2025, with immediate access to exclusive preview gameplay content upon purchase. The full release is scheduled for November 2025, priced at $29.99 for Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
