Embark Studios has responded to player feedback from the recent ARC Raiders Server Slam, which took place between October 17 and 19, and confirmed some of the key changes it plans to implement for the shooter's full release later this month. The launch of ARC Raiders is set for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on October 30, but a surprise server test allowed all players, with or without pre-orders, to jump in earlier this month and experience a small portion of what the game has to offer.
After finding success with The Finals, a free-to-play first-person shooter themed around a deadly game show, Embark Studios set out to create the next big extraction shooter with ARC Raiders. Originally announced as a co-op third-person shooter at The Game Awards 2021, Embark later pivoted development into a PvPvE extraction shooter, as the original design "wasn't fun," according to the studio. Fans have now had the opportunity to test out the game multiple times in recent months, and with its full release just one week away, Embark has confirmed what final changes it plans to make.
How to Sell & Recycle Items in ARC Raiders
There are several items in ARC Raiders that players can sell to get coins to spend at traders or recycle to get essential crafting components.
ARC Raiders Launch Changes Revealed
On October 17, Embark Studios kicked off a new Server Slam test for ARC Raiders, giving fans the chance to jump in for free on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, even if they hadn't pre-ordered. The test was to designed to stress-test Embark's servers ahead of the October 30 launch, but the studio also received some valuable feedback from players. According to a new statement from the team, "immediate action" was taken on multiple fronts. Stability will be improved for launch, Flying ARCs will be nerfed as their awareness was "a bit too high," The Dam Tower has been adjusted to ensure it is as challenging as intended, and further tuning to the game's overall visuals are being made.
Embark Studios also shared some stats from the test, many of which are unsurprising given how big the ARC Raiders Server Slam was. According to a new graphic from the developers, 30 million rounds were played during the Server slam, 108,000 Queens were eliminated, 58 million ARCs were destoryed, and more than 2.3 million players were knocked down by The Rocketeer. For a short test that only ran for three days, these are some impressive stats that show ARC Raiders is likely going to be the next big extraction shooter.
ARC Raiders is about to have some stiff competition though, as Escape From Tarkov recently revealed its console launch plans and a Steam release date. Battlestates Games' extraction FPS is undoubtedly one of, if not the most popular entry in the genre, and it's finally coming to Steam on November 15, just two weeks after the launch of ARC Raiders. There's no word on when the title will hit consoles, or which platforms it intends to release on, but it's clear that Escape From Tarkov has some big plans for the future.
ARC Raiders
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 92%
- Released
- October 30, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen / Violence, Blood
- Developer(s)
- Embark Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Embark Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Extraction, Shooter, Third-Person Shooter, Survival
