Embark Studios is giving Arc Raiders players a taste of peace. From October 13 to October 20, the game will let you flip a switch and stop fighting each other entirely.
The mode is a way to give players more choice. Instead of facing off against other humans, you will face down the game’s monsters, the ARCs. The catch is simple: you cannot hurt anyone else, and no one else can hurt you. The studio calls it a way to give players more choice.
How the Switch Works
The PvE toggle lets you move between two kinds of lobbies. One lobby keeps the usual fighting between players. The other stops players from hurting each other at all. You can switch back and forth while the test runs.
Loot drops will be smaller in PvE, since the stakes are lower. The ARCs will still target downed players, though. If you stay still, the AI foes will mostly leave you alone.
The test runs for one week only. Here is the schedule:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 13 | PvE toggle opens |
| October 20 | PvE toggle closes |
Why the Studio Is Doing It
The idea comes from data. Embark says a large share of players want a co-op, social experience instead of one where they have to fight real humans. The studio found that some players simply avoided combat against other players.
The numbers are striking. About 37 percent of players identify as friendly co-op players, a group that has grown since the game launched. Another 27 percent sit in the middle, mixed players who play both ways. The remaining 34 percent are pure PvP players, a group that has stayed steady since launch.
Over 70 percent of friendly players and even 40 percent of PvP players say they want fewer hostile encounters. More than half of the surveyed player base has said they want a dedicated PvE option.
The Risk the Studio Admits
Not everything will work. Embark says the first version of the game was built as a PvE title, and the team has been hesitant to return to that idea. There is a chance that adding a PvE matchmaking toggle could ease some of the tension the game was built around.
The studio framed the test clearly. “It’s important to mention that this is not a risk-free test,” said the studio. “There is a risk that introducing a PvE matchmaking toggle could reduce some of the tension that the game was built around.”
At the same time, the studio wants to honor what the numbers show. Some players want to enjoy the game their own way, and the data backs that up.
What Happens After the Test
The studio will watch how the player economy holds up and how long matchmaking takes during the test. Whether PvE sticks depends on how it performs and on what players actually say they want.
If the test fails, the mode may not become permanent. Embark has said it is possible that the test will not work. The test itself is meant to find out how well the mode can run, not to prove anything else.
Either way, the community gets to show what it wants. The test will give players a chance to try it out and send feedback directly.
This is a small change, but it is a public one. Few studios put this kind of data and this kind of experiment out in front of everyone. That alone is worth noting.
The test starts soon. The answer will come after.
Source material: “Arc Raiders Is Testing a PvE Mode Very Soon,” IGN.
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