ARK Survival Ascended Lost Colony Expansion Launches With Thirteen New Creatures, Seven Biomes, and Major Story Progression

Studio Wildcard has officially released the Lost Colony expansion for ARK Survival Ascended, bringing a substantial wave of new content to players on PC, PlayStation Five, and Xbox Series X and S. The expansion plays a critical narrative role, bridging the events of the Extinction expansion and the long awaited ARK Two, while delivering a rich new setting, expanded lore, and a wide range of gameplay additions.

Lost Colony transports players to Arat Prime, the location of humanity’s final stand. The expansion opens during the Necrocene, a post cataclysmic era where the southern pole of Earth has been cast into permanent darkness. Beneath layers of snow and ice, and shielded by massive energy barriers, the remnants of civilization continue to survive under extreme conditions. These energy shields are powered by radioactive Red Element, a resource that both sustains the Lost Colony and keeps the planet locked in a fractured state.

At the center of the conflict stands the Lost King, a ruler determined to maintain control through the continued use of Red Element. Players are presented with a clear narrative choice, either submit to the Lost King’s rule and embrace his vision, or resist his tyranny and attempt to preserve humanity’s future. This moral tension pushes Lost Colony beyond a simple content drop and positions it as one of the most story driven expansions in the ARK franchise to date.

The launch of Lost Colony also completes the Lost Colony Expansion Pass, which Studio Wildcard announced earlier this year. The Lost Colony Expansion Pass coincided with a major graphical overhaul for ARK Survival Ascended across PC and consoles, including visual improvements designed to leverage PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution and PlayStation Five Pro hardware.

One of the expansion’s most notable features is the introduction of seven entirely new biomes, each designed with distinct environmental hazards and visual identities. Players will explore the oppressive metropolitan core of the Lost King’s domain, the frozen and hostile Tundra perimeter, and the deceptively beautiful Twilight Forest filled with bioluminescent flora and lethal wildlife. The Dark Forest offers an even more unsettling experience, acting as a gateway to greater threats lurking beyond its shadowed trees.

Additional regions include the Caldera, a volcanic crater dominated by a massive sacred ring dedicated to the Lost King, geothermal hot springs scattered across the map in varying concentrations, and aberrant crash sites where toxic sludge presents constant danger. Collectively, these biomes reinforce Lost Colony’s darker tone and emphasize survival under extreme conditions.

Across these environments, players will encounter thirteen new creatures, expanding ARK’s already extensive bestiary. The new additions include Veilwyn, Solwyn, Malwyn, Ossidon, Gloon, Desmodus, Cryolophosaurus, Gigadesmodus, Aureliax, Thralls, Gargoyles, Neophytes, and Revenants. Each creature brings unique behaviors and challenges, further diversifying exploration, combat, and taming strategies.

Lost Colony represents a sizable content offering for the ARK community, particularly as the wait for the franchise’s next major chapter continues. Studio Wildcard has confirmed that ARK Two will not launch until 2028, with an interim expansion planned for 2027 to provide an early glimpse into the sequel’s direction. This confirmation was shared via the official Epic Games Store announcement.

With its strong narrative focus, diverse biomes, and substantial creature roster, Lost Colony stands as one of the most ambitious expansions for ARK Survival Ascended and offers players meaningful new content while the franchise prepares for its long term future.

Do you see Lost Colony as a strong bridge toward ARK Two, or does it make the wait for the sequel feel even longer?