Arc Raiders Dev Not Worried About Call of Duty and Battlefield
In an industry dominated by annualized sequels and established titans, launching a new intellectual property in the first-person shooter space is one of the riskiest maneuvers a studio can make. The calendar is a minefield, perpetually bookended by the colossal releases of franchises like Call of Duty and Battlefield. Yet, for Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund, this daunting landscape isn't a deterrent—it's a necessary reality. In a recent discussion about the studio's upcoming extraction shooter, Arc Raiders, Söderlund displayed a calm confidence about its eventual launch, even if it lands squarely between the next blockbuster entries from the genre's biggest names.
His reasoning is simple, yet profound: "It needs to start somewhere." This single statement encapsulates a philosophy of bold ambition and a belief that even the mightiest franchises were once unproven newcomers.
A Veteran's Calculated Gamble
Patrick Söderlund is no stranger to the high-stakes world of AAA game development. As a former executive at Electronic Arts and CEO of DICE, he was instrumental in shaping the very Battlefield franchise that now represents a key competitor. His experience provides critical context for his seemingly relaxed attitude. This isn't the bravado of an industry newcomer; it's the calculated perspective of a veteran who understands the market's cycles and the potential for disruption.
For a new shooter to succeed, it can't just be good—it must offer a compelling reason for players to divert their time and attention from their established favorites. The challenge is immense. Gamers have years, sometimes decades, of investment in the progression systems, social circles, and familiar mechanics of series like Call of Duty and Battlefield. Söderlund’s sentiment suggests that waiting for a "perfect" quiet window to release a game is a fool's errand. In the modern gaming landscape, such a window doesn't exist. The only path forward is to enter the arena, confident in the quality of your creation.
What Is Arc Raiders?
To understand Embark's confidence, one must look at the game itself. Arc Raiders is a free-to-play, player-vs-player-vs-environment (PvPvE) extraction shooter set in a stunning, retro-futuristic sci-fi world. Players are tasked with surviving a dangerous, machine-infested landscape, scavenging for resources, and fighting off both AI threats and other human players to escape with valuable loot.
The game has undergone a significant evolution since its initial reveal. Originally presented as a cooperative, player-vs-environment (PvE) experience, Embark made the pivotal decision to pivot Arc Raiders into the highly competitive extraction shooter genre. This move, while delaying the project, demonstrates the studio's willingness to adapt and refine its vision to better fit the market and their own creative goals.
Key features that could set Arc Raiders apart include:
- A Unique Art Direction: The game boasts a distinct visual style inspired by 1970s and 80s sci-fi art, moving away from the gritty military realism that saturates the market.
- Intense PvPvE Dynamics: The three-way conflict between players, other player squads, and ruthless AI-controlled machines promises a tense and unpredictable gameplay loop.
- Free-to-Play Model: By removing the initial price barrier, Arc Raiders can attract a massive audience from day one, allowing it to build a community and compete directly with full-priced titles for players' time, not just their wallets.
A Proven Track Record of Disruption
Embark Studios is not just betting on a concept; it's betting on its own proven ability to execute. The studio's first release, THE FINALS, took the gaming world by storm. It launched in a similarly crowded FPS market and quickly carved out a dedicated player base with its unique, destruction-based gameplay and fast-paced action.
The success of THE FINALS serves as a powerful proof-of-concept for the studio's methodology. It showed that a well-made, innovative, and polished free-to-play title can indeed stand toe-to-toe with the industry's giants. This prior success lends significant credibility to Söderlund’s confidence. Embark has already demonstrated that it can deliver a hit, and it plans to leverage that experience and technology to make Arc Raiders another major contender in the online shooter space.
The Long Road to Launch
While no firm release date has been set for Arc Raiders, the path forward is clear. Embark Studios is focused on building a game that can stand on its own merits, regardless of the competition. Söderlund's statement is a rally cry for his team and a message to the industry: you cannot build the next big thing by living in the shadows of today's leaders.
Every legendary franchise had a Day One. Every massive player base started with a single player. For Arc Raiders, that journey will undoubtedly be challenging, launching into a storm of blockbuster marketing and established player habits. But for Embark Studios, the mission is not to avoid the storm, but to become a force of nature within it. After all, it has to start somewhere.
Arc Raiders: Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of game is Arc Raiders?
- Arc Raiders is a free-to-play, PvPvE (Player vs Player vs Environment) tactical extraction shooter set in a unique retro-futuristic sci-fi world.
- Who is developing Arc Raiders?
- The game is being developed by Embark Studios, a team founded by industry veterans, including former EA and DICE executive Patrick Söderlund. The studio also created the successful free-to-play shooter, THE FINALS.
- What is the release date for Arc Raiders?
- Embark Studios has not announced a specific release date, but the game is anticipated to launch sometime in 2024.
- Will Arc Raiders be free-to-play?
- Yes, Arc Raiders is confirmed to be a free-to-play title, which will allow anyone to download and play the game without an initial purchase.