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Arc Raiders: What Happened After the Successful Playtest?

Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Arc Raiders gameplay featuring player characters battling robotic enemies in a sci-fi environment.

The 2025 playtest for Embark Studios’ sci-fi shooter, Arc Raiders, generated significant buzz, registering a peak of nearly 190,000 concurrent players on Steam. This impressive turnout suggested a strong potential launch for the free-to-play title.

During the "Server Slam" event in 2025, player tracking data from Steam revealed an all-time peak of 189,668 simultaneous players. For a brand-new intellectual property yet to be officially released, achieving such a high player count was a positive indicator. This successful stress test demonstrated a robust technical foundation and a marketing victory for Embark Studios, also known for THE FINALS.

What Was Arc Raiders? The Sci-Fi Extraction Shooter That Never Was

Arc Raiders was intended to be a free-to-play, squad-based extraction shooter set in a retro-futuristic sci-fi world. Players would have taken on the role of Raiders, scavenging for resources and battling hostile robotic AI enemies known as ARC, as well as other players. The core gameplay loop was envisioned as a high-stakes battle for survival and profit.

The game evolved from a cooperative third-person shooter to a player-versus-player-versus-environment (PvPvE) extraction format. While this change resonated powerfully with the PC gaming audience during the playtest, the game never officially launched in this form.

Key features that generated excitement included:

  • Intense PvPvE Action: Encounters with both AI and human opponents.
  • High-Stakes Extraction: The risk of losing hard-earned loot.
  • Unique Art Direction: An '80s-inspired sci-fi aesthetic.
  • Developer Pedigree: Embark Studios' established reputation.

What This Meant for Arc Raiders' Non-Launch

The successful 2025 playtest acted as proof-of-concept, validating Embark's design choices. However, in March 2023, Embark Studios announced that Arc Raiders would be delayed, and subsequently, on July 27, 2023, the game was officially canceled. The studio cited a shift in priorities and a desire to focus on other projects, specifically THE FINALS, as the reason for shelving Arc Raiders. While the playtest demonstrated potential, Embark ultimately decided to move in a different direction. The assets and learnings from Arc Raiders may influence future projects, but the game, as it was conceived, will not see the light of day.

Arc Raiders FAQ

  • What was the release date for Arc Raiders?
    • An official release date was never announced, and the game has since been canceled.
  • Was Arc Raiders a free-to-play game?
    • Yes, Arc Raiders was intended to be a free-to-play title.
  • What platforms would Arc Raiders have been available on?
    • The game was confirmed for PC via Steam and announced for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, but it never saw release on any platform.