Embark Studios
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ARC Raiders is Free to Play From October 8th to 12th, Just in Time for Frozen Trail
Embark Studios' extraction shooter ARC Raiders will be free to play from October 8th to October 12th, coinciding with the launch of its "Frozen Trail" update. This update introduces new maps, enemies, weapons, and a new Rewards Pass system. The studio also announced a stricter anti-cheat policy with permanent bans for offenders.
There are so many games coming out in October you guys
October 2026 is packed with new game releases and updates across PC platforms, including highlights like Star Wars: Galactic Racer, Car Park Capital, and Valor Mortis. Major events such as LudoNarraCon, Brasil Game Show, and PAX Australia are also scheduled, alongside significant DLC and update drops for games like Enshrouded and Dragon's Dogma 2.
ARC Raiders head dev admits maintaining work-life balance and live service updates have been challenging
Embark Studios executive producer Aleksander Grøndal admitted that the development team for ARC Raiders is experiencing burnout due to the challenges of maintaining a live service game and meeting content demands. The studio is re-evaluating its approach to prioritize developer well-being and improve update quality. Grøndal also discussed ongoing efforts to combat cheating and matchmaking abuse.
Embark promises to get stricter with Arc Raiders bans as cheaters continue to plague the extraction shooter: "No…
Embark Studios is implementing stricter anti-cheat measures and harsher punishments for cheaters in their extraction shooter, Arc Raiders. The studio acknowledges that cheating remains an ongoing issue and is improving its detection systems, including machine learning models and kernel-level protection. Permanent bans are now standard for all known cheat programs, with expanded license restrictions and potential hardware bans for repeat offenders.
"Ultimately, we asked 'why are we doing this?'": the creators of Arc Raiders wildly underestimated how hard it is to make a live service game
Embark Studios executive producer Aleksander Grøndal admitted the team significantly underestimated the difficulty of creating a live service game for Arc Raiders, leading to team burnout and unsustainable update schedules. The studio has since shifted to larger, biannual content drops to improve quality and team well-being, drawing on lessons learned from Grøndal's past experiences with burnout at Electronic Arts.
ARC Raiders Stopped Monthly Updates to Avoid Developer Burnout, Says Executive Producer
Embark Studios has stopped monthly updates for its live-service shooter ARC Raiders due to developer burnout. Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal stated that the team was overshooting capacity and that a change in workflow is necessary to improve quality and ensure long-term sustainability. Grøndal also shared a personal experience with burnout at Electronic Arts.
Arc Raiders devs "were super unhappy" and "super tired" after the shooter's huge launch, lead says, causing Embark to change direction to avoid burnout
Embark Studios' executive producer Aleksander Grøndal revealed that the development team behind Arc Raiders experienced significant burnout and unhappiness due to the pressures of maintaining a live-service game. The studio is now shifting its approach to avoid developer exhaustion and improve work-life balance, drawing on past negative experiences from Electronic Arts.
'We were constantly overshooting our capacity:' Arc Raiders exec says success resulted in burnout
Aleksander Grøndal, executive producer at Embark Studios, discussed the intense challenges of live service game development, particularly for Arc Raiders. He revealed that the team is exhausted from the constant pressure to produce content for over 16 million players, leading to burnout and a need to re-evaluate workflows. Grøndal also shared a personal story of severe burnout during his tenure at Electronic Arts, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance for long-term success.
ARC Raiders Introducing Dynamic Loot Zones With Frozen Trail’s Pendola Pass
Embark Studios is introducing dynamic loot zones to the Pendola Pass map in ARC Raiders' Frozen Trail update, which will change the location and value of points of interest each session. This change aims to make runs more interesting and varied for players. The studio is also working on a PvE mode for the game.
ARC Raiders is Replacing Raider Decks With Reward Passes in Frozen Trail Update
Embark Studios is replacing the Raider Decks system in ARC Raiders with Reward Passes in the upcoming Frozen Trail update. This change aims to address issues with players accumulating too much in-game currency too quickly. Reward Passes will offer a more satisfying progression path with unlockable rewards through completing Feats, and will include both Free and Premium tiers.
Arc Raiders devs break down Reward Pass ahead of player progression revamp in Frozen Trail
Embark Studios is revamping player progression in Arc Raiders with the upcoming Frozen Trail update, introducing a new Reward Pass to replace Raider Decks. The developers aim to create a more satisfying progression path that encourages sustained engagement with in-game activities and rewards.
Embark should've implemented a PvE mode into Arc Raiders a long time ago
The author argues that Embark Studios should have implemented a Player vs. Environment (PvE) mode for Arc Raiders much earlier. While acknowledging the fun of PvP, the article highlights the positive social interactions and memorable experiences found in PvE, suggesting it would have retained players who were turned off by negative PvP encounters and cheaters.
Wardogs devs celebrate 3 million sales but warn that "hype won't last forever"
Developer Bulkhead announced that its shooter Wardogs has sold over three million copies since launching into early access on September 10, 2026. While celebrating the success, the studio acknowledged that the current hype may not last forever and expressed a commitment to addressing player feedback and developing future content like Season 2. The article also notes the game's current unplayability on Linux-based handheld gaming PCs.
ARC Raiders is Testing a PvE Mode From October 13th to October 20th
Embark Studios is testing a PvE toggle for its extraction shooter ARC Raiders from October 13th to October 20th. This mode will focus on co-op gameplay against AI threats with no player-to-player damage, though loot value will be lower than in the standard PvPvE mode. The studio is evaluating player reception and potential impacts on matchmaking and the in-game economy.
Arc Raiders announces a new PvE "test" to accommodate its surprisingly friendly players
Embark Studios is testing a new PvE matchmaking option for Arc Raiders from October 13-20, responding to a significant portion of players who prefer cooperation over PvP. This test will allow players to opt into a friendlier version of the game, though some map conditions and loot values will be adjusted. The studio is considering a permanent PvE mode based on the test's results.
Arc Raiders is testing a PvE mode because "a large and growing group" refuse to hunt each other
Embark Studios is trialing a Player vs Environment (PvE) mode for their extraction shooter Arc Raiders in response to a growing player base that prefers cooperative play over player-versus-player combat. The PvE trial will run from October 13th to 20th, offering a less risky experience with reduced loot value but maintained AI threats to compensate for the lack of PvP tension. This move mirrors similar efforts by other developers, such as Bungie's work on a PvE mode for Marathon.
Arc Raiders Is Testing a PvE Mode Very Soon
Embark Studios has announced that a Player vs. Environment (PvE) mode for their game Arc Raiders will undergo testing next month. This marks a significant development for the title's upcoming content.
I Only Play Arc Raiders As A PvE Game, But PvE Servers Miss The Point
The author argues that while Arc Raiders is introducing a limited-time PvE server test, this misses the point of the game's core appeal. The threat of player-versus-player encounters, even if rarely engaged with, makes cooperative moments more rewarding. Forcing PvE removes this dynamic, potentially diminishing the experience for players who prefer the option of conflict.
Arc Raiders population stats micropost
Embark Studios released player population statistics for Arc Raiders, revealing that 37% are friendly co-op players, 27% are mixed, and 34% are pure PvP players. The studio also announced a PvE toggle test is coming next month, with a significant portion of the player base, including PvP players, expressing interest in fewer hostile encounters and a dedicated PvE option.
Arc Raiders say fine, here's a "limited test" of PvE co-op: "We can't ignore what the data is…
Embark Studios announced that Arc Raiders will undergo a limited PvE-only co-op test from October 13 to October 20. This temporary mode will allow players to experience the game without player-to-player damage, with the developers using player feedback and data to determine its future as a permanent addition. The studio acknowledges the risk of reducing game tension but is considering the data showing significant player interest in a dedicated PvE option.
