Ark: Survival Ascended Finally Launches On PS5
Ark: Survival Ascended has finally launched on the PS5 following multiple days. Studio Wildcard had previously delayed the launch until early December but announced on November 29th that the game would launch on Sony’s console on November 30th. The remake of the original Ark: Survival Evolved is already available on Xbox Series X/S, albeit following multiple delays of its own, and on PC.
On the same day, the developers also announced that Windows players would be disabled from joining cross-platform servers because of a high instance of cheating on the platform. The servers are still available to Steam and console gamers.
Ongoing Delays
Survival Ascended and the upcoming Ark 2 have been blighted by numerous delays. Ark 2, which was originally supposed to launch in 2022 before being delayed until 2023, is now not expected until 2024. Studio Wildcard said that the delays would ensure a better end product and also cited the mental wellbeing of the team behind the game.
Ark Survival Ascended
Ark Survival Ascended is an updated version of Ark Survival Evolved, which launched in 2017. It uses the Unreal Engine 5, rather than the iteration used by its predecessor. The developers have promised that the upgrade will bring improved graphics, better building, and improved performance. Following its announcement, which coincided with the latest delay for Ark 2, Survival Ascended has been hit by multiple delays, including one just days before it was set for a console launch.
The Early Signs Aren’t Promising
Early reviews suggest that the title has some way to go to deliver on the promise of better performance. Gamers have complained of serious lagging issues, bugs, and frame rates dropping as low as 10 frames per second.
However, it is worth noting that the original game’s launch was beset with similar complaints and its performance was improved over time.
Ark 2 Delays
While all gamers can now play the updated version of the game, which is a near full-priced release even for those that own the original, there is still a long wait for Ark 2.
The second title was announced in 2020. The trailer showed off Vin Diesel playing the leading role and the game was slated for a 2022 launch. However, the Covid pandemic put paid to this date and the launch was delayed until 2023.
The game was again delayed in March 2023, with the team stating that it was for the “betterment of the final product and the team’s well-being”, specifically claiming that working with the new engine had caused the delays.
Exclusive
When it does hit shelves, Ark 2 will be exclusive to Xbox, Game Pass, and Windows platforms. Although Studio Wildcard has not confirmed whether Ark 2 will eventually launch on PS5, it will likely do so after a Microsoft exclusivity period.
Ark: Survival Ascended Release
Current Ark gamers do not get a discount on the new game and it is only available as a digital download. The game launches with The Island map and buyers will get access to:
- Scorched Earth
- Aberration
- Extinction
- ARK Genesis Part 1
- ARK Genesis Part 2
