Ark: Ascended Survival overcame its rocky start to be a huge success, but that success could still hurt Ark 2 more than help. Ascended it started slowly with technical issues, and although there is a worrying trend of payout controversy, it has turned into a successful update for the franchise. Evolved still has a healthy player base, generally winning Ascended on Steam, but there is no doubt that Ascended It is the best product in comparison.
Ark 2 is possibly one of the most anticipated sequels in gaming history, but another question is when it will arrive. The title has suffered several delays throughout development, originally announced for 2022, then 2023, and now set for late 2024. However, with few updates from Studio WildCard, there’s a chance another delay could push the dinosaur survival game back. for 2025.
Ark: Survival Ascended is popular and successful
It’s a good update on all fronts
Despite its graphical intensity that limited some players Ascended is better than Evolved and performed incredibly well in population/business. Across all platforms, the game has a consistent player base of around 150,000 to 200,000. However, the game sold much more than these numbers show. Publisher Snail Games reported in 2023 that Ascended sold over 600,000 copies on Steam in the game’s first month alone.
Ascended can be seen as a perfect version of its predecessor with bonuses to put it over the top.
Further supporting this success is a recent report from Snail Games that states Ascended has sold around 2.6 million copies as of September 2024. That alone is an impressive amount that generates huge income for both the publisher and the development studio, but there is more. The semi-controversial Bob’s Great Tales The DLC, which added new content consistently with the free DLC additions, sold around 400,000 copies.
In terms of gameplay, the game is everything players are used to and more. Systems have been approved for better experiences and new creatures have been included in the update. Although some came from popular sources Evolved mods, others were original additions that kept the game fresh. General, Ascended can be seen as a perfect version of its predecessor with bonuses to put it over the top.
More content for Survival Ascended could impact Ark 2
Finding the Perfect Ending for Current Ark Content
Despite its success, if Studio WildCard continues to produce large amounts of content for Ascendedcould be to the detriment Ark 2. While the delays are likely due to the desire for the long-awaited sequel to be as good as possible upon release, there is a chance that the extended Ascended played a factor in some way. There are still some DLCs planned for Ark: Ascended Survival and these could push even further back Ark 2.
The profit Ascended managed to bring, which probably helped Ark 2 massively, cannot be ignored. However, since most of the profit has already been made, it would probably be the smartest decision to put more focus on the sequel. At the very least, Ascended must stop after reaching Evolved and drastically limit any new content.
Two big Ark games could do more harm than good
Preventing internal competition
If Ark 2 will be released in the near future, having Ascended Hovering over your shoulder can be a problem. The best case scenario is that the sequel is a masterpiece and a generational game that appeals to the majority of Ascended and Evolved players for this. In contrast, the destruction scenario is that Ark 2 comes out as a disappointment and the player base decides to continue Ascended. The middle ground for this, which is probably the most likely, is that Ark 2 It’s good, but it’s flawed and ends with a divided player base.
In addition to having a divided player base, which is never healthy for a game, this can harm the longevity of both games. With Ascended It’s unlikely that there will be anything new after the last few DLCs, those who persist may find themselves frustrated or burnt out. On the other hand, Ark 2 would then feel the immense pressure of having to recover and guarantee the likely massive investment that it was. This could lead to drastic decisions that would fundamentally change the way the game should be.
Although this option would be the least likely, things could go so wrong that Ark 2released or not, it is completely discarded. This would lead Studio WildCard to put its resources back into Ascendedthat although it could be successful, it would still be a huge success for the studio. Not to mention that any future content for Ascended would be limited to what the game engine allows, while Ark 2 there are rumors that there will be many dramatic changes.
Overall, although it is impossible to say that Ascended it was a bad idea, it needs a clean and true ending. The best ending to this is a successful update that can always be played for nostalgia and helped fund the sequel, but nothing that overshadows the future of the franchise. However, until the game can be judged, it is unclear whether Ark: Ascended Survival is it hurting or helping Ark 2.
Source: ARCA/YouTube