Ark: Survival Ascended Expansion Lost Colony Stars Michelle Yeoh, Leads Into Ark 2

Ark 2, the highly anticipated dinosaur survival sequel, is back on track! Developer Studio Wildcard recently announced Ark: Lost Colony, a new expansion for the Ark: Survival Ascended remake that directly bridges the gap to Ark 2.

This first original expansion pack for Ark: Survival Ascended boasts a stunning reveal trailer produced by the renowned anime studio Mappa (known for Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, and Chainsaw Man), featuring Michelle Yeoh reprising her role as Mei Yin from Ark: The Animated Series.

Studio Wildcard promises numerous cinematic anime sequences within Ark: Lost Colony. The official description paints a thrilling picture: "In this new frozen world, players follow legendary Ark survivor Mei Yin on a soul-searching quest, delving into the chilling heart of darkness to uncover long-buried secrets of Ark's past. Ark: Lost Colony presents thrilling new challenges as survivors become the hunted in a vast occupied city, gaining access to powerful new abilities, unique gear, building systems, and exotic tames. Will Survivors face the demons of Arat Prime and connect Ark's past and future?"

Importantly, Studio Wildcard confirmed Ark: Lost Colony directly connects the storylines of Ark's Extinction and Genesis expansions, setting the stage for the events of Ark 2.

Ark 2, powered by Unreal Engine 5, is the highly anticipated sequel to the immensely popular Ark: Survival Evolved. Initially announced with a surprise Vin Diesel cameo at The Game Awards 2020, its release date has shifted. After delays, it's now slated for late 2024 as an Xbox Series X|S console exclusive, available day-one on Game Pass, and on PC via Steam and Windows.

While Ark 2's release date remains late 2024, Ark: Lost Colony offers a concrete timeline. Pre-orders begin June 2025, granting immediate access to exclusive preview content. The full release is scheduled for November 2025, priced at $29.99 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. This announcement should alleviate concerns among fans eagerly awaiting Ark 2's arrival.