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What Ark Is Cross-Platform? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of Ark’s cross-platform capabilities is a common one among players eager to join their friends in the prehistoric survival sandbox. In short, Ark: Survival Evolved’s cross-platform functionality is limited and does not encompass all platforms. Currently, cross-platform play is primarily enabled between Xbox and the Windows Store version of the game and between Android and iOS. This means if you are playing on a PlayStation 4, a Steam PC version, a MacOS or a Nintendo Switch, then crossplay with other platforms is not available. The landscape is slightly shifting with the upcoming Ark 2, which promises a broader cross-platform experience. This article dives deep into the complexities of Ark’s cross-platform play, detailing what is available now and what to expect in the future.

Ark: Survival Evolved Crossplay – A Breakdown

Current Limitations

The existing limitations in Ark: Survival Evolved’s cross-platform support can be frustrating for players. Here’s what you need to know:

Xbox and Windows Store: Players who own the game on Xbox and those who purchased it through the Microsoft Store on Windows can play together. This is because both platforms are managed by Microsoft and share servers.
Android and iOS: Mobile versions of Ark on Android and iOS devices can also cross-play with one another.
No PlayStation, Steam, MacOS or Nintendo Switch Crossplay: Unfortunately, PlayStation 4, Steam PC, MacOS, and Nintendo Switch versions of Ark cannot cross-play with any other platform. These versions operate on their own independent servers. This is largely due to the way different companies manage their online gaming environments, making cross-platform play more complex.

Why the Limitations?

The primary reason for these limitations stems from the different online infrastructures managed by companies such as Microsoft, Sony, and Steam. Each platform often uses its own proprietary servers, making it difficult to connect players across these disparate systems without significant development and agreements.

Playing on Private Servers

Even when you’re using the cross-platform versions available on Xbox and Windows Store PC, both players need to have purchased the game through the Microsoft Store to be able to play on the same private server. Players using the Steam version of Ark will not be able to join servers with players who are using the Windows Store version of the game.

ARK 2: A New Era of Crossplay

The upcoming sequel, Ark 2, is set to introduce a more inclusive approach to cross-platform play. This is thanks to the inclusion of mod.io’s cross-platform mod and user-generated content support. Here’s what we know:

Cross-Platform Mods and UGC: Ark 2 will enable mods and user-generated content (UGC) to function across both PC and Xbox platforms. This signals a more integrated approach to the game’s modding community.
Xbox and PC Crossplay: Ark 2 will be available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, and will support cross-platform play between these platforms. However, as of right now, Ark 2 is an Xbox Series X/S console exclusive.
Broader Multiplayer: Ark 2 is expected to support up to 70 players in public online multiplayer, up to 8 players in private sessions, and 2-4 players in local split-screen sessions.

ARK 2 Platform Exclusivity and Delays

It’s important to note that at launch, Ark 2 will be an Xbox Series X/S console exclusive, which means it won’t be available on PlayStation consoles or Nintendo Switch when it is initially released. However, it will also be available on PC, and both the PC and Xbox platforms will have cross-platform play. There have also been delays to the release date. Ark 2 is now slated for release at the end of 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Ark’s cross-platform capabilities, providing additional valuable information:

1. Can I play Ark cross-platform with friends on PS4 if I am on PC?

No, crossplay between the PS4 and PC versions of Ark is not supported. The PS4 uses its own dedicated servers that are not compatible with the PC version, unless that PC version is the Windows Store version.

2. Can Xbox and PC players play Ark together on a private server?

Yes, Xbox and PC players can play together on a private server, but both players must own the game through the Microsoft Store. This version is different from the Steam version of Ark on PC.

3. Is Ark crossplay between Android and PC?

No, crossplay between Android and PC versions of Ark is not available. The crossplay on Android is only enabled with iOS devices.

4. Is Ark: Survival Evolved free on PC?

From time to time Ark: Survival Evolved can be free on PC through promotional events or giveaways by its developer, Studio Wildcard. Otherwise, it is a paid game.

5. Will Ark 1 servers be shut down when Ark 2 comes out?

Yes, official servers for Ark: Survival Evolved will be shut down when Ark: Survival Ascended launches. However, single player and unofficial servers will remain available.

6. Is Ark 2 only on Xbox?

Initially, Ark 2 will be a console exclusive to Xbox Series X|S, but it will also be playable on PC.

7. Will Ark 2 be the same as Ark: Survival Evolved?

No, Ark 2 will introduce major changes. The most notable being a shift from first-person to third-person perspective, as well as introducing new traversal mechanics like mantling, parkour, and sliding.

8. Will Ark 2 have crossplay at launch?

Yes, Ark 2 will have crossplay between PC and Xbox at launch, and will also support cross-platform mod support between the two platforms.

9. Will Ark 2 come to PS4?

Ark 2 will not be available on PS4, as it is an Xbox Series X|S console exclusive. It is currently unclear if it will ever make its way to the PS5 console at some point.

10. Will Ark 2 be story-based?

Yes, Ark 2 will feature an “epic story”. Details are still emerging, but it will include a different, new version of the lore character, Santiago.

11. Can I play Ark split-screen?

Yes, Ark has split-screen capabilities, but only for single-player mode, and it’s limited to 2 players, or 4 players in Ark 2. This is not an option when playing online.

12. What are Non-Dedicated sessions in Ark?

Non-Dedicated sessions allow you and your friends to play together, but all players must be within a certain distance of the host. If the other players get too far away from the host, they will be forced to teleport back to them.

13. Is Ark 2 delayed?

Yes, Ark 2’s release has been delayed to the end of 2024.

14. Is cross-platform play available in all game modes?

Crossplay is limited in the original Ark game, but will become more prevalent in Ark 2, There are cross-platform limitations currently, with official server servers for the original Ark game being shut down entirely.

15. Will Ark 2 still be a survival game?

Yes, Ark 2 will maintain the core open-world survival elements of the first game. It will also include a larger emphasis on story-driven game play.

Conclusion

The world of Ark’s cross-platform play can be somewhat confusing, but it is important to understand the current limitations and future promises. While Ark: Survival Evolved offers limited crossplay between Xbox and the Windows Store PC versions and Android and iOS, Ark 2 is set to significantly improve on this, offering crossplay support for PC and Xbox as well as including cross-platform mod and user-generated content capabilities between the two. As always, staying informed about these updates is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.

What ark is cross-platform?