Michelle Yeoh Stars in Ark: Survival Ascended's Lost Colony, Teasing Ark 2

The highly anticipated dinosaur survival game, Ark 2, which had raised concerns about potential delays or even cancellation among its fanbase, has been reignited with fresh updates from developer Studio Wildcard. The studio has unveiled a new expansion for the Ark 1 remake, titled Ark: Survival Ascended, called Ark: Lost Colony, signaling a direct connection to the eagerly awaited sequel.

Ark: Lost Colony marks the first original expansion pack for Ark: Survival Ascended. Its reveal trailer, crafted by the renowned anime studio Mappa—known for their work on Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, and Chainsaw Man—features voiceover work by the acclaimed actress Michelle Yeoh, who returns to her role as Mei Yin from the Ark: The Animated Series.

Studio Wildcard has promised that Ark: Lost Colony will include several cinema-grade anime story sequences, all brought to life by Mappa. The expansion's official description sets the stage for an immersive experience:

In this new frozen world, players follow in the footsteps of legendary Ark survivor Mei Yin, on a soul-searching quest deep into the chilling heart of darkness to find answers to long-buried secrets of Ark’s past.

Ark: Lost Colony will present survivors with thrilling new challenges as they become the hunted in a vast occupied city, and gain access to powerful new kinds of character abilities, unique gear, building systems, and phenomenally exotic tames.

Will Survivors be able to face down the demons lurking in Arat Prime, and connect Ark's past and future?

In their communication to the press, Studio Wildcard emphasized that Ark: Lost Colony serves as a narrative bridge, directly linking the storylines of Ark’s Extinction and Genesis expansions and seamlessly leading into the events of Ark 2.

Ark 2, powered by Unreal Engine 5, is the sequel to the immensely popular Ark: Survival Evolved. Initially announced with a surprise appearance by Vin Diesel at The Game Awards 2020 and slated for a 2022 release, the game faced multiple delays, first to 2023 and then to late 2024. It was set to launch as an Xbox Series X and S console exclusive, available day-one on Game Pass, as well as on PC via Steam and Windows.

Despite Studio Wildcard's assurances in December 2023 that Ark 2 was on track for a late 2024 release, the deadline passed without a launch, fueling fan concerns. The announcement of Ark: Lost Colony in March 2025, while not providing a new release window for Ark 2, serves to reassure fans that the sequel remains in development.

For Ark: Lost Colony, more concrete details are available. Pre-orders will commence in June 2025, offering immediate access to exclusive preview gameplay content. The full release is scheduled for November 2025, with the expansion priced at $29.99 across Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5, and PC platforms.