ARC Raiders’ PvE experiment grew out of something Embark Studios was already seeing in its servers. You guessed it. It was the players happily avoiding fights with each other. Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal says casual players, whom he described as “dad gamers,” helped convince the studio to try an option without PvP.
And for players squeezing a few objectives into limited gaming time, extraction campers and better-equipped opponents could turn a relaxing session into frustration. Embark wanted to see how those players would enjoy the game with that pressure removed.
In brief:
- Friendly lobbies and players with limited gaming time helped inspire ARC Raiders’ PvE test.
- Embark debated how removing PvP would affect tension, difficulty, and the loot economy.
- The limited test has now ended, with more than 30 million PvE rounds played.
- A permanent PvE mode remains unconfirmed, with further information expected in November.
“Dad Gamers” Pushed Embark to Try ARC Raiders PvE
Speaking to GamesRadar+, Grøndal explained that Embark noticed a growing audience enjoying friendly servers where PvP encounters were already rare. Players were finding their own space to complete objectives without regularly attacking one another.
The frustration came when those peaceful sessions ended at the hands of an extraction camper or someone carrying stronger gear. For people with only a little time to play, that could spoil the experience.
Embark saw an opportunity to test whether removing hostile player encounters would better serve that audience.
Grøndal also identified himself with the “dad gamers” group in a separate interview with Dot Esports. His description focused on players who want to spend a couple of hours fighting ARC and making progress.
PvE Sparked Debate Over Difficulty and the Loot Economy
The decision brought plenty of discussion inside Embark. Grøndal told Dot Esports that the team had concerns about removing tension, making the game too easy, and affecting its economy.
Those concerns also extended to people staying in regular PvPvE matchmaking. A separate option could change their experience, so the studio wanted to understand the effects across the game.
Rather than committing to a permanent mode immediately, Embark used the matchmaking test to gather feedback and see how the idea worked in practice. Grøndal also cautioned that maintaining two substantially different versions of ARC Raiders would present challenges.
ARC Raiders’ PvE Test Has Ended, With Its Future Undecided
Embark confirmed on October 20 that the limited PvE matchmaking test had finished. Players completed more than 30 million PvE rounds, giving the studio plenty of data to review.
The developer acknowledged mixed reactions and requested feedback through Discord, alongside a survey for a representative sample of players starting October 22.
A permanent PvE mode has yet to be confirmed. Embark expects to share further information in November after reviewing the results, with the game’s overall health and enjoyment guiding its decision.
