Day 1 Xbox Game Pass Game Confirmed for 2028

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Studio Wildcard’s Jeremy Stieglitz recently shared news with investors about the release of Ark 2 and the future of the Ark franchise. Unfortunately, it sounds like fans will need to be patient, as the Vin Diesel-starring sequel is taking a bit longer to launch. While the wait continues for Ark 2, players have been able to enjoy the world of Ark through ongoing updates to Ark: Survival Evolved and its availability on Xbox Game Pass.

Studio Wildcard’s Ark: Survival Evolved is nearing its 10-year anniversary in 2027, and the game has changed a lot over time. Initially, the developers didn’t plan for Ark to last this long; they intended to release a sequel and then shut down the original servers. However, players protested, so Studio Wildcard changed course and released ARK Survival Ascended, a revamped version of the original game built with Unreal Engine 5. Information about the planned sequel has been limited, but fans now know when to expect its release.

Ark 2 Release Window Revealed

Only three years after releasing the original Ark: Survival Evolved, Studio Wildcard stunned fans by announcing Ark 2 at the 2020 Game Awards. The biggest surprise for many was the involvement of actor Vin Diesel, who appears to have a leading role. While Diesel has been in video games before, this announcement was different—the trailer showed his character, Santiago, riding a T-Rex with his daughter, Meeka, played by Auli’i Cravalho.

Originally planned for release in 2023, Ark 2 has been delayed. Studio Wildcard co-founder Jeremy Stieglitz recently shared an update, now aiming for a 2028 launch. A key concern is Vin Diesel’s availability, as the team is adapting their plans based on how much work he’s able to contribute.

The big question is how much he’ll be able to contribute. Will it be a small amount, a significant amount, or something in between? It’s hard to say. The extent of his involvement will really shape how things unfold. We have a plan for if he delivers a lot, and a different plan if his contribution is limited.

Image via Studio Wildcard

Although Ark 2 is still several years off, Studio Wildcard has announced plans for lots of new content over the next two years, some of which will connect Ark: Survival Ascended to the upcoming sequel. Following a recent update for Switch 2 players of the Ark Ultimate Survival Edition in October, the release of The Lost Colony DLC marks the beginning of this content push and the game’s eventual move towards Ark 2.

Image via Studio Wildcard

Studio Wildcard, working with teams like Studio Sirens and Grove Street Games, plans to release new content for Ark throughout 2026, including the pirate-focused ‘Tides of Fortune,’ a tool for creating mods (‘World Creator’), and ‘Dragontopia.’ Looking ahead to 2027, they’ve announced three more content packs: ‘Ark Atlantis,’ ‘Galaxy Wars,’ and ‘Legacy of Santiago,’ scheduled for release in the final quarter. ‘Legacy of Santiago’ is especially important as it connects the current Ark game to its sequel, Ark 2. It will act as a prequel to the story of Ark 2 and allow players to experience some of the new features and gameplay mechanics before the sequel is released.

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2025-12-19 22:07