Ark: Survival Ascendedhas overcome its rough start to be a massive success, but this success could still hurtArk 2more than help.Ascendedstarted slowly with technical issues, and although there is aworrying trend of payment controversy, it has been shaped into a successful upgrade for the franchise.Evolvedstill has a healthy player base, usually beatingAscendedon Steam, but there can be no doubt thatAscendedis the better product in comparison.
Ark 2is possibly one of the most anticipated sequels in gaming history, but another question is when it will arrive. The title has seen numerous delays throughout development, originally announced for 2022, then 2023, and now set for late 2024. However, with few updates from Studio WildCard, there is a chance another delay will push the dinosaur survival game into 2025.
Ark: Survival Ascended Is Popular & Successful
It’s A Nice Upgrade On All Fronts
Despite its graphical intensity that has limited some players,Ascendedis better thanEvolvedand has performed incredibly well in the population/business. Across all platforms, the game has a consistent player base of around 150,000 to 200,000. However, the game has sold way more than those numbers show.Publisher Snail Games reported back in 2023 thatAscendedhad sold over 600,000 copies on Steam only in the game’s first month.
Ascendedcan be seen as a perfect version of its predecessor with bonus goodies to put it over the top.
Further supporting this success isa recent report by Snail Games that claimsAscendedhas sold around 2.6 million copies as of September 2024. That alone is a staggering amount that brings in a massive income for both the publisher and the developing studio, but there is more. The semi-controversialBob’s Tall TalesDLC which has added new content consistently with the free DLC additions, has sold around 400,000 copies.
Gameplay-wise, the game is everything players are used to and more. Systems have been approved for better experiences, and new creatures have been sprinkled into the upgrade. Though some have come from popularEvolvedmods, others have been original additions that have kept the game fresh. Overall,Ascendedcan be seen as a perfect version of its predecessor with bonus goodies to put it over the top.
More Content For Survival Ascended Could Impact Ark 2
Finding The Perfect Ending To Ark’s Current Content
Despite its success, if Studio WildCard keeps making large amounts of content forAscended, it could be to the detriment ofArk 2.Though the delays are likely due to wanting the highly-anticipated sequel to be as good as possible on release, there is a chance that prolongingAscendedhas played a factor in some way. There are still someDLCs planned forArk: Survival Ascendedand those could further push backArk 2.
Despite being announced at The Game Awards in 2020,Ark 2and a release date have been elusive.
The profitAscendedhas been able to bring in, which has likely helpedArk 2massively, can’t be ignored. However, since the majority of the profit has already been made, it would likely be the smarter move to put more focus on the sequel. At the least,Ascendedshould stop after it catches up withEvolvedand drastically limit any new content.
Two Great Ark Games Could Do More Harm Than Good
Preventing In-House Competition
IfArk 2is released in the near future, havingAscendedlooming over its shoulder could be an issue. The best-case scenario is that the sequel is a masterpiece and generational game that pulls the majority ofAscendedandEvolvedplayers to it. In contrast, the doom scenario is thatArk 2comes out as a disappointment and the player base decides to stick withAscended.The middle ground to this, which is probably most likely, is thatArk 2is good but flawed and ends in a split player base.
Besides having a split player base, which is never healthy for a game, this could harm the longevity of both games. WithAscendedunlikely to get anything new after the last DLCs, those who stick with it could get frustrated or burn out. On the other hand,Ark 2would then feel the immense pressure of having to rebound and warrant the likely massive investment it was. This could lead to drastic decisions that fundamentally change how the game was supposed to be.
15 Coolest Flying Dinosaurs In Ark: Survival Ascended, Ranked
There are a few options when it comes to flying tames in ASA, but not all of them are created equal. Here are the coolest flying dinos in the game.
Though this option would be the least likely, things could go so badly to the pointArk 2, whether released or not, is scrapped entirely. This would lead to Studio WildCard putting their resources back intoAscended, which while this could succeed, would still be a massive hit for the studio. Not to mention, any future content forAscendedwould be limited to what the game engine allows, whereasArk 2is rumored to have many dramatic changes.
Overall, while it is impossible to say thatAscendedwas a bad idea, it does need a tidy and true ending. The best ending for it is a successful upgrade that can always be played for nostalgia and helped fund the sequel, but nothing that overshadows the franchise’s future. However, until the game can be judged, it is unclear whetherArk: Survival Ascendedis hurting or helpingArk 2.
