ARC Raiders PvE Test
Embark Studios announces a weeklong PvE matchmaking test for ARC Raiders players.
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Embark said Raiders will still encounter one another in PvE lobbies, but can neither damage each other nor pose a threat; Solos, Duos, and Trios will share those lobbies.
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Embark described the test as an alternative to PvP encounters—not an effort to make PvE more challenging or introduce new PvE progression.
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Embark said its player base breaks down into 37% friendly co-op players, 34% pure PvP players, and 27% players who enjoy both; it also said the co-op group has grown since launch.
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The lower-risk mode will come with trade-offs: loot value will be reduced across maps, and ARC enemies will behave differently when a player is downed.
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Embark said ARC Raiders was originally envisioned as a cooperative PvE game, but the studio reset the concept after encountering significant challenges and developed the PvPvE extraction game instead.
Embark Studios will run a week-long PvE matchmaking test in ARC Raiders from October 13 to 20, letting players cooperate against AI enemies without player-versus-player combat. IGN reports that Raiders will still see each other in lobbies but cannot damage one another. The studio is responding to data showing that 37% of its player base prefers co-op play, a segment that has grown since launch.
The test comes with trade-offs: loot value drops across all maps, and ARC enemies behave differently when a player goes down. Embark Studios emphasized this is not a permanent mode yet—player feedback and test data will shape the next decision. Some high-tension map conditions will remain unavailable during the trial.
How the PvE Test Will Work
Players can queue for matches where cooperation replaces competition. Inven Global reports Solos, Duos, and Trios will share the same lobbies but function as pure PvE: Raiders encounter one another but pose zero threat. The mode offers a direct alternative to the game's core PvPvE extraction format, not an attempt to increase PvE difficulty or add new progression systems.
Why Embark Is Testing Co-Op Play Now
Embark's own data revealed a clear split in player preferences: 37% want friendly co-op, 34% prefer pure PvP, and 27% enjoy both. The co-op segment has expanded since the game launched. Power Up Gaming notes the test gauges genuine interest in a PvE-focused environment. Originally, ARC Raiders was designed as a cooperative game before the studio pivoted to PvPvE after encountering production challenges.
The Cost of Playing Without Conflict
The PvE mode cuts loot rewards to reflect reduced risk. ARC enemies also change behavior when a teammate gets downed, creating different tactical challenges. IGN notes some of the game's highest-tension map conditions will sit out the test week. Embark stressed this remains an experiment—not a guarantee of a permanent mode.
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