Is Ark: Survival Ascended's Success Helping Or Hurting Ark 2?

Ark 2 is possibly one of the most anticipated sequels in gaming history, but another question is when it will arrive. The title has seen numerous delays throughout development, originally announced for 2022, then 2023, and now set for late 2024. However, with few updates from Studio WildCard, there is a chance another delay will push the dinosaur survival game into 2025.

Ark: Survival Ascended Is Popular & Successful

It's A Nice Upgrade On All Fronts

Despite its graphical intensity that has limited some players, Ascended is better than Evolved and has performed incredibly well in the population/business. Across all platforms, the game has a consistent player base of around 150,000 to 200,000. However, the game has sold way more than those numbers show. Publisher Snail Games reported back in 2023 that Ascended had sold over 600,000 copies on Steam only in the game's first month.

Further supporting this success is a recent report by Snail Games that claims Ascended has sold around 2.6 million copies as of September 2024. That alone is a staggering amount that brings in a massive income for both the publisher and the developing studio, but there is more. The semi-controversial Bob's Tall Tales DLC which has added new content consistently with the free DLC additions, has sold around 400,000 copies.

Gameplay-wise, the game is everything players are used to and more. Systems have been approved for better experiences, and new creatures have been sprinkled into the upgrade. Though some have come from popular Evolved mods, others have been original additions that have kept the game fresh. Overall, Ascended can be seen as a perfect version of its predecessor with bonus goodies to put it over the top.

More Content For Survival Ascended Could Impact Ark 2

Finding The Perfect Ending To Ark's Current Content

Custom image by Yuliya Geikhman.

Despite its success, if Studio WildCard keeps making large amounts of content for Ascended, it could be to the detriment of Ark 2. Though the delays are likely due to wanting the highly-anticipated sequel to be as good as possible on release, there is a chance that prolonging Ascended has played a factor in some way. There are still some DLCs planned for Ark: Survival Ascended and those could further push back Ark 2.

The profit Ascended has been able to bring in, which has likely helped Ark 2 massively, can't be ignored. However, since the majority of the profit has already been made, it would likely be the smarter move to put more focus on the sequel. At the least, Ascended should stop after it catches up with Evolved and drastically limit any new content.

Two Great Ark Games Could Do More Harm Than Good

Preventing In-House Competition

Custom Image by Katarina Cimbaljevic

If Ark 2 is released in the near future, having Ascended looming over its shoulder could be an issue. The best-case scenario is that the sequel is a masterpiece and generational game that pulls the majority of Ascended and Evolved players to it. In contrast, the doom scenario is that Ark 2 comes out as a disappointment and the player base decides to stick with Ascended. The middle ground to this, which is probably most likely, is that Ark 2 is good but flawed and ends in a split player base.

Besides having a split player base, which is never healthy for a game, this could harm the longevity of both games. With Ascended unlikely to get anything new after the last DLCs, those who stick with it could get frustrated or burn out. On the other hand, Ark 2 would then feel the immense pressure of having to rebound and warrant the likely massive investment it was. This could lead to drastic decisions that fundamentally change how the game was supposed to be.

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Though this option would be the least likely, things could go so badly to the point Ark 2, whether released or not, is scrapped entirely. This would lead to Studio WildCard putting their resources back into Ascended, which while this could succeed, would still be a massive hit for the studio. Not to mention, any future content for Ascended would be limited to what the game engine allows, whereas Ark 2 is rumored to have many dramatic changes.

Overall, while it is impossible to say that Ascended was a bad idea, it does need a tidy and true ending. The best ending for it is a successful upgrade that can always be played for nostalgia and helped fund the sequel, but nothing that overshadows the franchise's future. However, until the game can be judged, it is unclear whether Ark: Survival Ascended is hurting or helping Ark 2.

Source: ARK/YouTube

Systems

Franchise ARK

Platform(s) PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released October 26, 2023

Developer(s) Studio Wildcard

Publisher(s) Studio Wildcard

Multiplayer Online Multiplayer

Engine Unreal Engine 5

ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Crude Humor, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Use of Alcohol, Violence