Embark Studios
Embark Studios business and news from across the web.
Arc Raiders is finally testing a ban on free loadouts, and I'm here for itEmbark Studios is experimenting with disabling free loadouts in Arc Raiders for its hardest map conditions, Night Raid and Close Scrutiny, for three weeks. This change aims to increase the barrier of entry and incentivize players to commit to appropriate risk and reward for better loot. The studio will evaluate the impact of this experiment to potentially implement it on more map conditions in the future.
More than a thousand games in Steam Next Fest feature a generative AI disclosure of some kindApproximately 20 percent of the games featured in the Steam Next Fest event have disclosed the use of generative AI in their development. Valve requires developers to declare AI usage, a policy that has led to clarifications from companies like Sega regarding their use of the technology. Generative AI remains a controversial topic within the gaming community.
Arc Raiders devs promise "strict measures" are being taken against item duplication users and more Denuvo as Embark fights to get cheaters under controlEmbark Studios is implementing strict measures against users engaging in item duplication and cheating in Arc Raiders, expanding the use of Denuvo Anti-Cheat. The developers are also introducing new in-game notifications to inform players when their reports lead to action against cheaters, aiming to maintain a fair gaming environment.
Fable Doesn’t Use Arc Raiders-Style Text-To-Speech AI For Its 1,000+ Voiced NPCsPlayground Games confirmed that the upcoming Fable reboot will not use text-to-speech AI for its over 1,000 NPCs. Instead, the studio has employed around 100 actors to record extensive dialogue, ensuring fully voiced characters. This approach contrasts with the controversial AI voice generation used in Arc Raiders.
Arc Raiders fan plays game on a Nintendo handheld - but not the one you thinkA fan has successfully played the upcoming game Arc Raiders on a modified New Nintendo 3DS XL by streaming it from a PC using Moonlight. While the game is not running natively, the user reported acceptable frame rates, though controls remain a challenge. This feat highlights the capabilities of older Nintendo hardware when combined with modern streaming technology.
PlayStation first-party sales see modest rebound after half-decade declinePlayStation first-party game sales saw a modest increase to 32.1 million copies in FY2025, the first upturn in five years, following a significant decline since a peak in 2020-2021. This growth is attributed partly to the release of Ghost of Yōtei, while the overall decline was linked to inconsistent studio output and lengthy development cycles. Sony has also reportedly scaled back on releasing PS5 exclusives for PC, fearing it could damage the console's brand.
Nordic Game attendance rises by 6% in 2026Nordic Game 2026 saw a 6% increase in attendance, with over 1,100 companies from 59 countries participating. The event highlighted the strength of independent developers and featured discussions on the art of games. Separately, a report commissioned by King revealed that European mobile games generated €7.53 billion globally in 2025 and contributed significantly to the European economy.
Arc Raiders PvE mode coming to the Chinese version, and global players already want it in the main game tooEmbark Studios is releasing a PvE mode for the Chinese version of Arc Raiders, developed in partnership with Tencent. This new 'safe zone' mode allows players to opt for a friendly environment, though PvP remains an option. Global players are expressing a strong desire for this PvE content to be included in the main game as well.
Arc Raiders Could Be Getting A PvE-Only ModeDeveloper Embark Studios may be testing a PvE-only mode for its extraction shooter Arc Raiders, as indicated by new map conditions in the Chinese beta. Modes like 'Rebellion Incident' offer PvE-focused experiences, with one disabling PvP by default. The developer has not confirmed if these modes will be released to other regions.
Arc Raiders might be getting a PvE-focused map condition according to limited tests for the Chinese version of the extraction shooterLimited tests for the Chinese version of Embark Studios' extraction shooter Arc Raiders are exploring PvE-focused map conditions. These new conditions, such as 'Rebellion Incident,' could offer a less aggressive player experience compared to traditional PvP modes. It remains unclear if these features will be implemented in the global version of the game.
An Arc Raiders player demonstrates how to kill a Bastion in 16 seconds without a Deadline—now I'm questioning…A player in Embark Studios' Arc Raiders has demonstrated an efficient method for defeating a Bastion enemy in just 16 seconds without using the Deadline mine. This strategy involves precise shots to the Bastion's knee and core, making it a faster alternative to common tactics. This skill is particularly useful for acquiring valuable big arc parts dropped by Bastions.- The Nordic Game Awards 2026 WinnersThe Nordic Game Awards 2026 winners have been announced, with ARC Raiders by Embark Studios taking home Nordic Game of the Year, Best Audio, and Best Technology. The awards ceremony, held during the NG26 Spring conference, celebrated game development in the Nordic region across seven categories.
Xbox CEO says it's already seeing positive impacts following Game Pass price cutsXbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that recent price cuts to Game Pass are already showing positive results, with increased acquisitions and improved retention. She also discussed the strategic shift back to the 'Xbox' branding and the future evolution of Game Pass into a more flexible system. Separately, Arc Raiders won multiple awards at the Nordic Game Awards, including Game of the Year, Best Technology, and Best Audio.
Arc Raiders just knocked 2 million coins off the price of the new Expedition Vault slots because nobody was buying themEmbark Studios has adjusted the pricing for Expedition Vault slots in Arc Raiders, reducing the cost of higher tiers to encourage more players to use the storage feature. The developer stated that the previous pricing was too expensive, leading to low adoption rates. Player feedback suggests mixed reactions, with some finding the new flat pricing still problematic.
An Arc Raiders player who's 'sick of hearing about PvE' has come up with a 'Rival Gangs' PvP…A player has proposed a new 'Rival Gangs' PvP mode for Arc Raiders, aiming to satisfy players tired of the game's PvE focus. This concept would involve high-difficulty maps with increased loot and a requirement for players to equip at least 30,000 raider coins worth of weapons, ensuring a more balanced and high-stakes player-versus-player experience.
"It emulates and it replicates, but it doesn't innovate" - Troy Baker isn't afraid of 'AI art', because he doesn't believe it can ever actually existActor Troy Baker believes that artificial intelligence cannot create true art, stating that art is inherently a human expression. While acknowledging AI's presence in game development, particularly for voice work, he is not concerned about it replacing human actors. Baker is focused on creating art and believes the industry is at a crucial point to decide its future direction.- Att försvara sig i Arc Raiders räknas inte längre som lika "aggressivt"Embark Studios has clarified the matchmaking system for their upcoming game, Arc Raiders. They explained that defensive actions against other players will no longer be considered as aggressive as initiating combat. Additionally, rounds with low player activity will have less impact on matchmaking profiles, and the developers debunked nine common misconceptions about the system.
Arc Raiders is getting a new "official" roadmap soon, Embark CEO says, and it'll feature even "more details than we've done in the past"Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund announced that Arc Raiders will soon receive a new, more detailed roadmap. He stated that due to the game's success, the studio feels obligated to provide more content and is working on improving anti-cheat measures. The next major update, Frozen Trail, is scheduled for October.
Embark finally pulls back the curtain on Arc Raiders' matchmaking systemsEmbark Studios has clarified the matchmaking systems in Arc Raiders, addressing myths about its aggression-based lobbies. The developer explained that the system is designed as a spectrum to ensure unpredictability and enhance the multiplayer experience. Changes have been implemented to better differentiate between initiating aggression and self-defense, allowing players more freedom to engage as they see fit.
ARC Raiders Can Now Distinguish Between Self Defense and Starting Fights for MatchmakingEmbark Studios has detailed ARC Raiders' playstyle-based matchmaking system, which distinguishes between players focused on cooperative play and those preferring PvP encounters. The system now better differentiates between self-defense and initiating fights, ensuring cautious players are not unfairly categorized as PvP-focused. Updates also ensure that low-activity rounds have less impact on a player's matchmaking profile.