The development of ARK 2, the highly anticipated sequel to ARK: Survival Evolved, is progressing at a remarkably slow pace, according to statements from Studio Wildcard co-founders Jesse Rapczak and Jeremy Stieglitz. In a recent interview, the developers confirmed that most of their resources are currently dedicated to ARK: Survival Ascended, which has slowed down the production of their next title.
Right now it is not a priority
The creators have developed a vertical slice, which is a representative part of the game that includes mechanics and artistic style, but their progress has been on hold to focus on other projects. Stieglitz mentioned that the team has been gradually refining the combat mechanics, although he emphasized the difficulties of implementing a soulslike combat system within a PvP multiplayer environment, a task that few titles have successfully managed to tackle.
Although it is estimated that ARK 2 may reach early access phase in about two years, this will depend on the team being able to consolidate their efforts and free up development resources. Stieglitz warns that there is still a long way to go before the game is ready to be presented to the public. It will likely take 18 months of intense work to turn that vertical slice into an accessible experience, he added.
In addition to development times, the game’s progress will include significant features such as the incorporation of antagonist NPCs, which have been designed to increase difficulty and provide a more intense experience, even without the need for PvP. It has also been confirmed that since its launch, ARK 2 will feature User Generated Content elements, allowing players to create and share content seamlessly.
With this outlook, fans of the saga will have to be patient while Studio Wildcard balances its priorities among its various projects before they can enjoy the new experiences promised in ARK 2.