Arc Raiders
News, coverage and analysis tracking Arc Raiders across the outlets.
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'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.
Featuring a host of our favorite games from this year and 2 of our favorite gaming devices, you can now place your votes for the best in gaming in the Golden Joystick Awards 2026
The nominations for the 44th annual Golden Joystick Awards 2026 have been announced, with games like Resident Evil Requiem, Big Walk, and 007 First Light receiving multiple nods across 21 categories. Voting is open until October 23, and the winners will be revealed on November 11. This year's nominations are noted for their diversity, featuring both indie hits and AAA blockbusters.
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 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.
"It's a nice story to tell": How DICE bounced back from Battlefield 2042's disastrous launch to release the blockbuster Battlefield 6
DICE VP and GM Rebecka Coutaz details how the studio recovered from the disastrous launch of Battlefield 2042 to achieve success with Battlefield 6. The turnaround involved reorganizing development, listening to player feedback, and empowering teams across multiple studios, leading to Battlefield 6 selling seven million units in three days.
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.
Arc Raiders is messing with your loot hotspots to make games more exciting
Embark is testing a dynamic loot system in Arc Raiders' Pendola Pass map for the upcoming Frozen Trails update. This change will see loot values of points of interest (POIs) randomly change between sessions, aiming to increase replayability and excitement. The developer is also implementing a PvE mode and other quality-of-life improvements.
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 introducing a PvE queue test in mid-October
Arc Raiders is testing a dedicated PvE queue from October 13th to 20th, allowing players to experience the game without PvP combat. This test aims to gauge demand for a PvE-focused version, as the game was originally designed with PvE in mind before evolving to a PvPvE model.
Arc Raiders is finally giving players the chance to build their home Topside and I'm seriously hyped
Embark is introducing a significant base building and customization feature called 'The Outpost' to Arc Raiders with the upcoming Frozen Trails update. This feature will allow players to expand and personalize their home base with various modules and furniture, offering a more engaging experience and serving as a foundation for future developments.
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 ska testa ett PvE-läge i oktober
Embark Studios will test a PvE-only mode for Arc Raiders from October 13-20, responding to player demand for a cooperative experience without PvP conflict. This mode will offer a different loot value and exclude certain map conditions designed for higher tension.
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 shows off the content coming in its Frozen Trail update for October 8
ARC Raiders is releasing its 'Frozen Trail' update on October 8th, introducing a new map called Pendola Pass. This update will feature new enemies like Bullies, Hydras, and Skulkers, along with new weapons such as the Bantam and Stiletto, and a new Raider Pass.
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.
Arc Raiders is finally testing a PvE-only mode: 'We can’t ignore what the data is telling us'
Embark Studios is testing a Player vs Environment (PvE) only mode for Arc Raiders from October 13-20, 2026, allowing players to toggle between the classic PvPvE experience and a PvE-focused session with no player-to-player damage. This test aims to address player data indicating a significant portion of the community desires fewer hostile encounters, with over 51% expressing interest in a dedicated PvE option.
