Arc Raiders has a problem. Its players keep refusing to fight each other, and the studio behind it is finally doing something about it.
Embark Studios is running a new matchmaking test from 13th to 20th October that lets players pick a non-violent version of the game. The catch: it’s a response to a playerbase that already chose to be friendly, even when the game rewards killing others.
The Extraction (Don’t) Shooter
The game started as a raid-based co-op shooter with looting mechanics. Embark eventually shifted toward the extraction shooter formula, where players compete to strip resources from fallen enemies. That shift came with an expectation: players would fight each other over those resources.
Instead, around 37 percent of players now approach the game with a collaborative mindset, according to executive producer Aleksander Grøndal. He calls this version the “Extraction (Don’t) Shooter.” The figure has grown since launch, and it sits alongside about 34 percent of PvP-focused players, a number that has stayed steady since day one. The remaining 27 or so percent fall somewhere in between.
What the Test Actually Changes
The test lets solo, duo and trio queues join the friendlier version. Some map conditions won’t work in this mode, including:
- Night raids
- Hidden bunkers
because they were built with PvP in mind. Loot value is also reduced, since players face less danger when they aren’t fighting each other.
Grøndal acknowledges the risk. With less dangerous play comes less risky loot, which could affect the wider player economy. The studio will watch matchmaking times during the test as well.
What the Test Isn’t
The test is not a permanent addition. Grøndal describes it as “indication that we are seriously considering it,” which is a polite way of saying the studio is listening but hasn’t committed.
Why This Happens Now
Arc Raiders was extremely popular at launch and kept a strong playerbase after. Almost immediately, the game gained a reputation for its strangely friendly community, a distinct difference from other extraction shooters. The shift coincides with Marathon’s recent announcement of a PvE mode, but the two cases are not alike.
Arc Raiders is not as popular as it once was. This feels like a reactive accommodation to the game’s community, not a push to win back lost players.
What’s at Stake
If Embark embraces PvE permanently, future updates will need to balance both PvP and PvE players. Matchmaking could tighten as a result, since the friendlier mode removes some of the chaos that drives competitive queues.
| Mode | Players | Design Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Regular PvP | 34 percent | Competitive extraction |
| Friendly PvE | 37 percent | Collaborative play |
| Mixed | 27 percent | Both |
Our Call
This is a funny moment for gaming. A developer builds a shooter around killing other players and discovers the majority of its audience wants to cooperate instead. The response is a test that lets players opt into a non-violent mode.
It’s a smart move. The player data shows demand exists, and the test is a low-risk way to see if a full mode works. If it does, Embark has a ready audience waiting for it.
The bigger question is whether the game can hold together with two modes pulling in opposite directions. That’s a problem for later. For now, the test is a sign that Embark is paying attention to what its players actually want to do, not just what the game tells them to do.
Source material: “Arc Raiders announces a new PvE "test" to accommodate its surprisingly friendly players,” Eurogamer.
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