"Ark 2" has been suspended! It is difficult to realize soul-type combat in the context of PvP

　　Since its first release in 2020, the sequel to "Ark: Survival Evolved" Ark 2" has remained silent after multiple delays.

Recently, Jesse Rapczak and Jeremy Stieglitz, co-founders of developer Studio Wildcard, revealed for the first time the development progress behind the highly anticipated sequel was revealed in an interview with PCGamesN.

Stiglitz admitted that although Studio Wildcard had produced a "vertical slice" for "Ark 2" that showed the collaborative work of various gameplay systems, the team has since devoted its main energy to the development of "Ark: Survival Ascended". "We felt that as a team, with our current experience level and company size, it was difficult to continue vertical slices and complete a complete game."

　"We paused the development of vertical slices a few years ago and instead made "Ark: Survival Ascension", and since then we only made some minor repairs," Stiglitz explained. "A small part of our team is still improving the combat mechanism of Ark 2... Realizing Soul-like combat in the context of multiplayer PvP (Soulslike) (Soulslike) (Soulslike) (In the context of multiplayer PvP). combat) is very difficult. There are only a handful of games that have tried this design in the actual PvP environment. "

Although the studio has not yet fully returned to the development of Ark 2, Stiglitz pointed out that once the team can get rid of the work of Ark: Survival Ascension, they will need "18 months of dedicated team commitment to convert vertical slices into early-learning game". He is optimistic that the early access version of Ark 2 may be released in the next two years.

Stiglitz also mentioned the challenges brought by technological progress: "You occasionally see a game that is quite solid when it comes out, but always feels like it's two or three years behind. You will feel that 'If this game was released four years ago, it would be a big success.' We don't want to be that kind of game."

Stiglitz also revealed some new details about "Ark 2". He confirmed that the "NPC villain" will appear in the game, which was already hinted in previous trailers and has been part of the game's design as an adversarial force. He said that while PvP (player battle) will still be the focus of the game, more environmental threats are expected to bring a more interesting experience.

　　"Ark 2 has to have NPC villains, because the trailer has already suggested this, and they have long been part of our design as a confrontational force," Stiglitz explained. "We think this can add more threatening to the environment and give a feeling of being able to enjoy a PvP-like experience, even if not (fighting other players)."

　The last time "Ark 2" was reported was in 2023, when the studio's goal was to release in spring 2025. Since then, game details have been rarely released.