Is Ark: Ascended on Game Pass? What Players Need to Know in 2024
If you’re a fan of survival games — especially the wildly ambitious, dinosaur-taming, base-building epic that is Ark: Survival Evolved — you’ve probably heard whispers of its next-gen evolution: Ark: Ascended. With Microsoft’s Game Pass continuing to dominate the subscription gaming space, it’s only natural to ask: Is Ark: Ascended on Game Pass? The answer isn’t just “yes” or “no” — it’s layered, evolving, and deeply tied to Studio Wildcard’s long-term vision for the franchise.
Let’s dive in — no taming required.
Understanding Ark: Ascended — Not Just a Remaster, But a Rebirth
Before we tackle availability, it’s essential to understand what Ark: Ascended actually is. Released in late 2023, Ark: Ascended is not merely a graphical overhaul. It’s a full rebuild of the original Ark: Survival Evolved, rebuilt from the ground up using Unreal Engine 5. Think ray-traced lighting, dynamic weather systems, vastly improved creature AI, remastered audio, and physics that make every T-Rex stomp feel like an earthquake.
More importantly, Ark: Ascended serves as the bridge to Ark 2, the long-awaited sequel starring Vin Diesel (yes, really). It’s not just nostalgia — it’s preparation. Players are expected to carry over progression, items, and even tamed creatures into the sequel, making Ascended far more than a cosmetic upgrade.
So… Is It on Game Pass?
As of mid-2024, Ark: Ascended is NOT available on Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass at launch. That might come as a disappointment to subscribers who enjoyed the original Ark: Survival Evolved on Game Pass for years. But here’s the nuance: Ark: Survival Evolved remains on Game Pass — and it’s not going anywhere soon. In fact, Microsoft and Studio Wildcard have confirmed that the original game will continue receiving support and remain accessible to Game Pass members.
Why isn’t Ascended on Game Pass yet? A few likely reasons:
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Monetization Strategy: Ark: Ascended is sold as a premium upgrade — priced at
44.99 for owners of the original, and 59.99 for newcomers. Putting it on Game Pass immediately would undercut early adopters and reduce crucial launch revenue. -
Technical Demands: Built on Unreal Engine 5, Ascended requires significantly more powerful hardware. While Game Pass supports cloud play, not all subscribers have machines capable of running it smoothly — especially at higher settings.
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Phased Rollout: Studio Wildcard has historically rolled out content gradually. It’s plausible — even probable — that Ark: Ascended will join Game Pass after its initial sales window, perhaps coinciding with major Ark 2 updates or seasonal events.
What This Means for Game Pass Subscribers
If you’re a Game Pass member hoping to jump into the shinier, dino-filled world of Ark: Ascended without paying extra — you’ll need to wait. But that doesn’t mean you’re missing out entirely.
The original Ark: Survival Evolved remains fully playable, fully updated, and fully populated on Game Pass. In fact, many servers still thrive with active communities. For newcomers, it’s still one of the most robust survival experiences available — and it’s included at no extra cost.
For veterans? Consider this: Ark: Ascended allows you to import your characters and items from Survival Evolved. So if you’ve been grinding on Game Pass, your progress isn’t lost. When you’re ready to upgrade, your legacy travels with you.
Case Study: How Game Pass Handled Other “Ascended” Titles
Looking at past precedent can offer clues. Take Grounded — Obsidian’s bug-sized survival hit. It entered Game Pass in early access and remained there through its 1.0 launch. But Grounded was developed under Xbox Game Studios — a first-party title. Ark, on the other hand, is published by Studio Wildcard and distributed by Gearbox — a third-party arrangement.
Another example: Dead Space (Remake). EA’s reimagining of the classic horror title launched at full price and didn’t hit Game Pass until nearly a year later. The pattern? Major third-party remasters or rebuilds tend to stay off subscription services during their critical sales period.
This strongly suggests Ark: Ascended will follow a similar path — available for purchase now, likely arriving on Game Pass later.
What Should You Do Right Now?
If you’re itching to play the latest version:
✅ Buy Ark: Ascended directly — Especially if you own the original. The $44.99 upgrade is a solid deal for the scope of improvements.
✅ Keep playing Ark: Survival Evolved on Game Pass — Your progress is safe, and the community is still active. Use this time to stockpile resources, tame rare creatures, and prep for the eventual transition.
✅ Watch for official announcements — Studio Wildcard has promised “major updates” throughout 2024. A Game Pass inclusion could easily coincide with a new expansion, crossplay enhancements, or Ark 2 pre-launch events.
The Bigger Picture: Game Pass as a Gateway, Not a Destination
It’s easy to see Game Pass as an all-you-can-play buffet — and for many titles, it is. But for evolving franchises like Ark, it often