The highly anticipated dinosaur survival game, Ark 2, which had been shrouded in uncertainty and rumored to be in jeopardy, has been revitalized with the announcement of a new expansion for its predecessor, Ark: Survival Ascended. Studio Wildcard has unveiled Ark: Lost Colony, the first original expansion for the Ark 1 remake, marking a significant step towards the sequel.
The reveal trailer for Ark: Lost Colony, crafted by the renowned anime studio Mappa (known for hits like Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, and Chainsaw Man), features voiceover work by the acclaimed actress Michelle Yeoh, who reprises her role as Mei Yin from Ark: The Animated Series.
Studio Wildcard promises that the expansion will include numerous cinematic-grade anime story sequences produced by Mappa. The official description teases an immersive experience in a new frozen world where players follow the legendary Ark survivor Mei Yin on a soul-searching journey into the chilling heart of darkness, uncovering long-buried secrets of Ark's past.
Ark: Lost Colony will challenge players with thrilling new obstacles as they navigate a vast occupied city as the hunted, and gain access to powerful new character abilities, unique gear, innovative building systems, and exotic tames. The expansion poses a gripping question: Will survivors be able to confront the demons lurking in Arat Prime and bridge Ark's past and future?
According to Studio Wildcard's press note, Ark: Lost Colony "directly connects" the narratives of Ark’s Extinction and Genesis expansions, paving the way for the events of Ark 2.
Ark 2, powered by Unreal Engine 5, is the sequel to the immensely popular Ark: Survival Evolved. Initially unveiled with a surprise appearance by Vin Diesel at The Game Awards 2020 and slated for a 2022 release, it faced multiple delays, first to 2023 and then to late 2024. It is set to launch as an Xbox Series X and S console exclusive, available day one on Game Pass, and on PC via Steam and Windows.
Despite Studio Wildcard's assurances in December 2023 of a late 2024 release, the game did not meet that window, causing fan concern. However, the announcement of Ark: Lost Colony in early 2025 reassures fans that Ark 2 is still in development, though no new release date has been 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. The full release is scheduled for November 2025, and the expansion will be priced at $29.99 for Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
