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Aleksander Grøndal

Arc Raiders Dev Learns from Marathon Playtest: Extraction Shooters

Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Arc Raiders and Marathon logos side-by-side illustrating the extraction shooter genre.

In the fast-evolving world of game development, transparency is rare. However, the rise of the extraction shooter genre has provided a unique case study, with one developer openly acknowledging how a competitor's public testing phase served as an invaluable, real-world data source, effectively an unintentional "great A/B test" that helped shape their own design choices.

Aleksander Grøndal, the design director for Embark Studios' Arc Raiders, highlighted this phenomenon. As two prominent titles initially vying for attention within the extraction shooter space, Arc Raiders and Bungie's Marathon inadvertently found themselves on parallel development paths, both conducting playtests that offered insights into player preferences and design effectiveness.

A Tale of Divergent Paths in the Extraction Shooter Landscape

The extraction shooter genre, characterized by players entering high-stakes environments to secure loot and extract successfully, has become increasingly competitive. Arc Raiders and Marathon both aimed to inject a high-budget, sci-fi aesthetic into this formula.

  • Marathon: Bungie's revival of its classic 90s IP was initially positioned as a PvP-focused extraction shooter. However, following initial playtests, the game underwent significant changes. While specifics remained largely confidential, Bungie reiterated their commitment to the project. Recent reports suggest a potential shift away from the hero-based model initially tested, although details are still emerging.
  • Arc Raiders: Developed by Embark Studios, a team comprised of industry veterans, Arc Raiders evolved from a cooperative PvE shooter into a PvPvE extraction shooter. However, in 2023, Embark Studios announced that Arc Raiders would be put on hold to focus on their other title, THE FINALS, which saw a successful launch. While Arc Raiders remains on indefinite hold, the lessons learned during its development, particularly those gleaned from the "A/B test" scenario with Marathon, offer valuable insight into game design.

The "A/B Test" in Action

In marketing and design, an A/B test involves comparing two versions of a single variable to determine which performs better. Grøndal's comment applied this concept to game design. The parallel development and testing of Arc Raiders and Marathon allowed Embark to observe how different design philosophies within the same genre resonated with players.

This public feedback loop functioned as a large-scale, unplanned research project. It potentially validated Embark Studios' design choices for Arc Raiders, although the project is now on hold. It also potentially highlighted pitfalls to avoid, which may have informed design choices in THE FINALS. This is a rare instance of transparency where one studio's development process, for better or worse, provides lessons for others.

Lessons for the Future

This situation highlights the advantage for developers who are observant and adaptable. Rather than operating in isolation, the Arc Raiders team actively monitored the genre's landscape and player expectations. By learning from the development experiences, and challenges faced by Marathon, they were better positioned to refine their approach, although that work is paused for now.

The case also underscores the inherent difficulty of creating a successful extraction shooter. The genre demands a delicate balance of tension, rewarding progression, and compelling gameplay. Even a studio with Bungie's history can face development hurdles, demonstrating the fine margins for success. While Arc Raiders is on hold, the lessons learned from its development continue to resonate within Embark Studios and the broader game development community. For Marathon, the journey continues, with the lessons learned from its initial tests potentially leading to a stronger, more refined game in the future.

FAQ: Arc Raiders and Marathon

What was Arc Raiders?

Arc Raiders was a planned free-to-play, third-person PvPvE extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios. Set in a retro-futuristic sci-fi world, players would have teamed up to scavenge for resources and fight against both AI-controlled machines and other human players to escape with valuable loot. The project is currently on hold.

Why was Marathon delayed?

While official details have been limited, Marathon underwent significant changes following initial playtest feedback. Bungie has reiterated its commitment to the project, with potential shifts away from the hero-based character system initially tested.

What is an extraction shooter?

An extraction shooter is a subgenre of multiplayer shooters where the primary goal is to enter a map, collect loot or complete objectives, and then safely reach a designated extraction point to keep your findings. Death typically results in the loss of most, if not all, gear brought into the match, creating a high-stakes gameplay loop.

What is the current status of Arc Raiders?

Arc Raiders is currently on hold as Embark Studios focuses on THE FINALS.