The highly anticipated dinosaur survival game, Ark 2, has reignited excitement among fans after a period of uncertainty. Developer Studio Wildcard has unveiled a new expansion for Ark: Survival Ascended titled Ark: Lost Colony, which not only serves as the first original expansion pack for the Ark 1 remake but also sets the stage for the upcoming 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), showcases breathtaking visuals and features the return of Michelle Yeoh as Mei Yin, a character she voiced in Ark: The Animated Series. Studio Wildcard promises that the expansion will include numerous cinema-grade anime story sequences, further enhancing the narrative experience.

According to the official description, Ark: Lost Colony transports players to a new frozen world where they follow the legendary Ark survivor Mei Yin on a soul-searching journey into the chilling heart of darkness. This quest aims to uncover long-buried secrets of Ark's past. Players will face thrilling new challenges as they navigate a vast occupied city, becoming the hunted. The expansion introduces powerful new character abilities, unique gear, innovative building systems, and exotic tames. The ultimate question posed is whether survivors can confront the demons of Arat Prime and bridge Ark's past and future.

Studio Wildcard has confirmed that Ark: Lost Colony directly connects the storylines of the Extinction and Genesis expansions of the original Ark, paving the way for the events in Ark 2. This narrative link is crucial for fans eager to see how the saga unfolds.

Ark 2, powered by Unreal Engine 5, is the sequel to the immensely popular Ark: Survival Evolved. Initially announced with a surprise cameo by Vin Diesel at The Game Awards 2020 and slated for a 2022 release, the game faced multiple delays, pushing its launch to late 2024 as an Xbox Series X and S console exclusive, available day-one on Game Pass, and also on PC via Steam and Windows. Despite assurances in December 2023 that Ark 2 was on track for a late 2024 release, the game did not meet this target, causing concern among fans. The recent announcement of Ark: Lost Colony in early 2025 reassures fans that Ark 2 remains in development, though no new release window for the sequel 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 upon purchase. The full release is scheduled for November 2025, and the expansion will be available for $29.99 on Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5, and PC.