Aleksander Grøndal
Reporting and statements that mention Aleksander Grøndal.
Latest coverage
"We need to understand what the need is here" - Arc Raiders studio still undecided about the future of PvE despite a seemingly successful test
Embark Studios is still undecided about the future of Arc Raiders' PvE mode despite a successful test and player requests. Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal stated the team is analyzing data to determine the mode's purpose, whether it be a chill side mode, a challenge mode, or a full PvE experience, considering the game's pivot from its original PvE focus.
ARC Raiders’ PvE Testing Has Ended, Studio Will Reveal Future Plans in November
Embark Studios has concluded the PvE testing phase for ARC Raiders, with over 30 million rounds played. The studio acknowledges the PvE toggle was polarizing and will prioritize the game's overall health before revealing future plans in November. Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal discussed the rationale behind testing PvE, citing player feedback and the desire to cater to players with limited time who wish to avoid PvP.
ARC Raiders Offers “Fertile Ground” For Storytelling Through TV, Movie Adaptations, Says Exec
Embark Studios executive producer Aleksander Grøndal stated that the world of ARC Raiders provides a "fertile ground" for storytelling in potential TV and movie adaptations. While the game focuses on emergent player stories, Grøndal is excited about exploring narrative possibilities. Embark will be involved in maintaining the brand's vision for these adaptations. The studio is also testing a PvE toggle for ARC Raiders to make it more welcoming for players who prefer to avoid PvP.
ARC Raiders Team is Testing PvE Toggle to “Understand” The Needs of “Dad Gamers”
Embark Studios is testing a PvE toggle for its extraction shooter ARC Raiders to better understand the needs of players who prefer PvE content, particularly those they refer to as 'dad gamers'. Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal stated that the studio wants to gather learnings from this test before committing to a permanent PvE mode, aiming to remove player-induced frustrations without making promises.
Arc Raiders devs had the same debates players are currently having over PvE mode, but the "dad gamers" pushed…
Embark Studios is testing a PvE-only mode for Arc Raiders, a decision that mirrors internal debates and addresses player feedback, particularly from "dad gamers" seeking a less frustrating experience. While the test aims to gather data on player needs, the studio acknowledges potential challenges with loot economy and difficulty tuning.
ARC Raiders’ executive producer thinks a pure PvE mode might split the game, but also that the split is already present
ARC Raiders' executive producer Alesander Grøndal believes a dedicated PvE mode could split the game, but also acknowledges the player base is already divided on the issue. A week-long test is underway to gather data on how a PvE-only option impacts player experience and development decisions.
ARC Raiders Producer Admits It’s “Very Possible” That PvE and PvEvP Could Split Up
Embark Studios is considering splitting ARC Raiders into separate PvE and PvEvP modes, according to executive producer Aleksander Grøndal. While the team acknowledges the potential challenges, such as splitting the player base, they are open to the possibility to better align with player preferences. A recent PvE test was conducted to gather data and feedback on the potential changes.
Arc Raiders could eventually be split into PvE and PvP, says executive producer
Embark Studios is considering splitting Arc Raiders into separate PvE and PvP modes, according to executive producer Aleksander Grøndal. A limited PvE test will help the developer gauge player interest and identify implementation challenges, as player data shows a significant portion of the community desires fewer hostile encounters.
Will PvE mode split Arc Raiders in two? "It's very possible," says executive producer
Embark Studios is testing a pure PvE mode for Arc Raiders, a significant shift from its original PvPvE extraction shooter design. Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal acknowledges the potential risk of splitting the player base but believes it's necessary to explore how players want to engage with the game.
Arc Raiders lead says Steam player count discourse doesn't feel great, but Embark "accepted the fact that we…
Embark Studios' executive producer Aleksander Grøndal acknowledges that discussions around Arc Raiders' declining Steam player count are difficult, but the studio accepted this outcome as part of their strategy to re-engage players with content like the Frozen Trail update. The team is shifting to a six-month content update cadence to improve developer health and focus on quality over quantity.
Arc Raiders lead says it's good to "take a break and play some other games" if you're out of…
Embark Studios executive producer Aleksander Grøndal suggests players take breaks from live service games like Arc Raiders, advocating for a healthier relationship with the genre. He believes this approach benefits both players and the industry, allowing players to enjoy other titles and return to Arc Raiders for substantial content updates like the upcoming Frozen Trail.
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.
Arc Raiders' is taking no prisoners when it comes to cheaters with permanent bans becoming the new normal: 'No…
Embark is implementing a stricter anti-cheat policy for Arc Raiders, introducing permanent bans for all known cheat programs without warnings. This move aims to combat rampant cheating that disrupts the player experience, with executive producer Aleksander Grøndal emphasizing the ongoing commitment to fighting unfair play. The company is also enhancing its detection methods, including machine-learning models and hardware bans, to make cheating more difficult and less rewarding.
Arc Raiders' executive producer explains how he 'wasn't completely prepared for how hard' a live service game would be and warns against the dangers of burnout
Embark's executive producer Aleksander Grøndal admits the studio underestimated the difficulty of developing a live service game like Arc Raiders, leading to team burnout and player dissatisfaction. He warns against prioritizing content speed over developer well-being and suggests a more sustainable, long-term approach is necessary for creating a better game.
"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 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.
