Embark Studios is taking another look at the future of ARC Raiders, particularly how it handles players who prefer PvE over PvP. Following a successful PvE matchmaking test, CEO Patrick Söderlund has acknowledged that the studio needs to accommodate different playstyles while preserving the game’s original vision.
In Brief:
- Embark CEO Patrick Söderlund says the studio can no longer ignore ARC Raiders’ PvE community.
- The developer wants to support both PvE and PvPvE players without changing the game’s core identity.
- Nearly 50% of rounds played during the recent matchmaking test were PvE.
- A permanent PvE mode remains under consideration, but nothing has been officially confirmed.
ARC Raiders CEO Says Embark Can’t Ignore PvE Players Anymore
In a recent interview with The Game Business, Söderlund discussed how ARC Raiders’ growing audience has forced Embark to reconsider its approach to PvE.
“We now have a large enough audience that we need to listen and cater for both camps,” Söderlund explained.
He continued:
“We can’t ignore the PvE camp completely and just say, ‘Well, this is not the game that we built.’ That would be unwise.”
According to Söderlund, Embark wants to stay true to the experience it originally created while respecting players who want something different.
The studio previously hesitated to introduce PvE because it believed that player-versus-player encounters were essential to the tension that makes ARC Raiders exciting.
However, after experimenting with PvE, Söderlund seems much more open to the idea.
“We’ve now since tried it and realized that it’s fine. Why not have it? Maybe people can choose what they like,” he said.
Nearly Half of ARC Raiders Matches During the Test Were PvE
ARC Raiders executive producer Aleksander Grøndal also shared some interesting findings from the recent PvE matchmaking test.
According to Grøndal, almost 50% of the rounds played during the test took place on PvE servers.
The feedback was mixed. Some players who initially wanted PvE changed their minds after trying it, feeling that something important was missing. Others absolutely loved the experience.
Embark is now reviewing that feedback to determine how it can satisfy different types of players.
Will ARC Raiders Get a Permanent PvE Mode?
As of writing, Embark hasn’t officially confirmed a permanent PvE mode for ARC Raiders.
However, the studio’s latest comments suggest that it is seriously considering how PvE could fit into the game’s long-term future.
The biggest challenge is finding a way to give PvE players what they want without watering down the tension and unpredictability that define ARC Raiders.
With such strong interest in PvE, it will be interesting to see what Embark decides next.
