In addition to lending his voice and motion-capture performance, it has been confirmed that actor Vin Diesel is actively working on the development ofARK 2. The game is the sequel toARK: Survival Evolved, a recently announced title expected to launch at some point in 2022.
Studio Wildcard’s first graphics card-punishing dinosaur survival game has evolved over the years. Launching in Early Access in 2015, the game didn’t see a full launch until two years later. However since then the game has flourished with a series of popular DLC, the latest of which sees aDoctor Whoactor join theARKcast.
RELATED:ARK 2 Announced With Vin Diesel
Gamers got their first look atThe Fast and the Furiousstar’s involvement viaARK 2’strailer at The Game Awards 2020. Playing a new character named Santiago, the group leader defends his people with a dino-sized distraction that enables a quick escape to safety. While Diesel’s inclusion in the game may have been unexpected, even more surprising is the extent of his involvement. According to PC Gamer, Vin Diesel has joined Studio Wildcard as an executive producer onARK 2, and is serving as an executive producer on theARKanimated series coming in 2022.
This dual role explains Diesel’s new title as Studio Wildcard’s “President of Creative Convergence.” However, this is not the actor’s first time being featured in a video game. Diesel lent his voice to a pair of well-receivedChronicles ofRiddickgames in the early 2000s, and reprised his role as Dominic Toretto inFast and Furious: Crossroadsearlier this year. However, the latter was panned, earning it a spot as one ofthe most disappointing games of 2020.
While there are some who may believe the actor’s involvement is a marketing ploy, Studio Wildcard insists Diesel has an intimate understanding ofARK. The actor has allegedly logged thousands of hours into the first game, providing “direct feedback” to the game developers. For example, the official Twitter forARK: Survival Evolvedposted a bug with berries taming the Ferox that Diesel apparently pointed out. Given his newfound position, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of effect the actor will have on the franchise’s future.
The content planned forARK: Survival Evolvedin addition to its upcoming sequel and animated series show that Studio Wildcard is investing in its IP for the long run. However, an important last thing to note is the game won’t be on PS5, asARK 2 will be an Xbox exclusive.
