ARC Raiders Dev: PvE’s Challenge Is Protecting the Core Premise

Embark Studios is facing challenges in keeping a PvE option in ARC Raiders without compromising the PvP experience that defines the game, as reported by MP1st. The developer described this issue as not wanting to “undermine the premise of the game.” According to DualShockers, the difficulty surfaced after Embark introduced a PvE playlist that players had long requested.

This is important because PvE has been a persistent request from the community. While creating it was straightforward, deciding if it should be a permanent feature is a much tougher decision.

The challenge lies in the game’s structure. In ARC Raiders, the threat posed by other players influences every choice, from where to loot to when to exit a raid. A mode that eliminates that threat could lessen the importance of the risk-and-reward balance, or even divide a player base that Embark needs to keep unified.

Embark has some data to guide their decision. Our previous coverage of the PvE test noted that it ended after 30 million raids, with more updates expected in November. That number indicates a genuine demand, raising the stakes for getting the next move right.

The game’s current performance gives Embark a chance to be thoughtful. ARC Raiders launched on October 30, 2025, with a price of $39.99, and it boasts an 81% positive rating on Steam across 258,233 reviews. The game still attracts 44,624 concurrent players, although that’s down from the 78.9K we noted when the Pendola Pass short film was released.

By The Numbers

Steam reviews	81% positive (258,233 reviews)
Current players	44,624
Recent player high we tracked	78.9K
Raids played in PvE test	30 million
Price on Steam	$39.99

Community Pulse

We don’t have many direct player quotes on this topic. The sentiment we do have comes from two YouTube farming guides that don’t offer much about the PvE discussion. The Steam score of 81% positive suggests a generally favorable view, but the overall sentiment remains mixed. We can’t assume players’ opinions without data to back them up.

What To Watch

• November plans: Embark has hinted at an update after the PvE test. Watch for whether PvE will become a permanent option or remain a limited-time event.
• Player counts: Keeping an eye on concurrent player numbers around 44.6K compared to the 78.9K high will help determine if PvE changes boost retention or just alter play patterns.
• Progression and rewards: Any rules linking PvE loot or progression to PvP will be a strong indicator of how Embark intends to safeguard the core gameplay loop.