ARK: Survival Ascended – Full 2025 & 2026 Roadmap Breakdown

Studio Wildcard has officially shared the long-term roadmap for ARK: Survival Ascended, covering major content updates through 2026. From upgraded maps to new creatures and even lore setup for ARK 2, here's everything confirmed so far.

Upcoming Releases

Unreal Engine 5.5 Upgrade – June 2, 2025

• Better graphics, lighting, water physics
• Full support for Nvidia Frame Generation
• Major backend optimizations for performance and stability
• Restructured game packaging: non-Island maps will be optional downloads (smaller base install)
• New content launching with the patch:
  • ARK Anniversary Content (Cake + Birthday Suit skins)
  • Egg Incubator – Smarter egg hatching
  • New Structure Tilesets – Dozens of new build pieces across all materials
  • Single Player Backup Saves – Create, restore & auto-generate backups
  • Club ARK Retheme – Social hub gets a tropical makeover

Ragnarok Ascended – June 18, 2025

• Free DLC
• Features the return of the Griffin (now breedable)
• Introduces the new creature: Giant Bison
• Fully rebuilt using Unreal Engine 5.5
• Includes Lost Colony Expansion Pass: Day Zero Content

Valguero Ascended – August 2025

• Free DLC
• Adds the Megaraptor, a community-voted creature
• Features Aberration-style caves and diverse biomes

Lost Colony – November 2025

• Paid story expansion bridging ASA and ARK 2
• Includes lore missions featuring Mei Yin
• Expands on Day Zero content already unlocked in June

Genesis Part 1 Ascended – April 2026

• Free DLC
• Launches alongside Part 1 of the Bob’s True Tales paid story content

Genesis Part 2 Ascended – August 2026

• Free DLC
• Launches alongside Part 2 of Bob’s True Tales
• Continues both the Genesis and Bob’s narrative arcs

Fjordur Ascended – December 2026

• Free DLC
• Includes a new community-voted creature
• Features realms like Asgard, Jotunheim, and Vanaheim

Crystal Isles – 2027

• Free DLC
• Known for floating islands and vibrant fantasy biomes

Lost Island – 2027

• Free DLC
• Includes Dinopithecus, Sinomacrops, and Amargasaurus

Note: Each map release will also include a new Fantastic Tame — a premium creature available for optional purchase.

What About ARK 2?

Studio Wildcard has remained mostly silent on ARK 2’s release. Initially planned for 2023, it has been delayed multiple times. As of now:

• No official release date (listed as “To Be Announced” on Steam)
• The Lost Colony expansion (Nov 2025) is said to connect ASA to ARK 2’s storyline
• Until then, ARK: Survival Ascended is the studio’s main focus

Fusey will keep this roadmap updated as new info drops. Want a detailed creature or biome guide when Ragnarok launches? Stay tuned.