Arc Raiders Is Giving PvE a Shot With a Limited-Time Test

Arc Raiders players who would rather cooperate than hunt down fellow raiders are finally getting their chance. Embark Studios has confirmed that a dedicated PvE option will be tested from October 13 through October 20, giving players a full week to experience topside without the usual threat of hostile player encounters.

The experiment follows reports from three months ago that Embark had been testing a special PvE map condition on Chinese beta servers. This upcoming test takes the idea considerably further, making PvE much easier to access.

Rather than waiting for a particular map condition to appear, players will be able to use a new toggle to choose between the regular matchmaking experience and the experimental PvE mode.

Solos, Duos, and Trios Will Explore Together

One of the biggest changes is how matchmaking will work.

Solo players, duos, and trios will all share the same PvE lobbies. Since other raiders are no longer considered enemies, the usual concern about running into a larger player squad disappears.

That doesn’t mean every part of Arc Raiders will be available in PvE, however. Embark says several major map conditions will remain exclusive to standard matchmaking during the test. These include Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, and Frigate.

The restriction suggests Embark isn’t simply switching off PvP and leaving everything else untouched. Instead, the studio appears to be treating PvE as a distinct experiment that may need its own balancing and content rules.

A Permanent PvE Mode Isn’t Guaranteed

Players hoping this test confirms the arrival of a permanent PvE option shouldn’t celebrate just yet.

Embark has made it clear that the October experiment is exactly that: an experiment. The studio isn’t promising that PvE will become a permanent part of Arc Raiders.

In its press release, Embark explained:

“It’s possible that this will not work,” the release says. “This test is not a promise that there will be a PvE mode in the future, but take this as an indication that we are seriously considering it. We don’t yet know how the potential future version of this setting might look. It’s plausible that any future version could look very different from what you experience in the beta test.”

Even if the test proves successful, then, a future PvE experience could be substantially different from what players encounter between October 13 and 20.

Plenty of Arc Raiders Players Want Less PvP

Embark’s own player data gives the studio a strong reason to explore the idea.

According to figures shared in the press release, 37% of Arc Raiders players are classified as cooperative-only raiders, meaning they actively attempt to avoid PvP encounters whenever possible.

Among those players, 70% say they would like fewer hostile encounters with other raiders.

Interestingly, that preference isn’t limited to players who already avoid combat. Embark says 40% of PvP players also want fewer hostile encounters.

Those numbers suggest there could be significant demand for a version of Arc Raiders where fighting ARC machines, exploring the world, gathering resources, and cooperating with other players take priority over PvP.

PvE Arrives at an Important Time for Arc Raiders

The experiment also comes during an important period for the extraction shooter.

Arc Raiders has experienced declining player numbers in recent months, while Embark’s move toward bi-yearly major updates has contributed to longer gaps between substantial content drops.

The resulting content drought has become increasingly noticeable over the past six months. A dedicated PvE option could therefore give existing players another reason to return while potentially making Arc Raiders more approachable for people who enjoy its world and mechanics but aren’t interested in the tension of PvP extraction gameplay.

The timing could help as well. The PvE test begins only a few days after the arrival of the game’s next major update, Frozen Trail.

Marathon Has Already Experimented With a Similar Idea

Arc Raiders isn’t the only extraction shooter looking toward PvE as a way to broaden its audience.

Bungie’s Marathon introduced PvE modes in July in an effort to attract players looking for a less competitive experience. The additions briefly increased player numbers, although Marathon subsequently continued struggling to maintain a substantial active audience.

Whether Arc Raiders will follow a similar trajectory remains to be seen. Its broader mainstream appeal could work in its favor, but the reception to the upcoming PvE experiment may provide Embark with valuable information about where players want the game to go next.

Frozen Trail Arrives Before the PvE Test

Players won’t have to wait until October 13 for new Arc Raiders content.

The Frozen Trail update launches October 8, just five days before the PvE experiment begins.

The update is set to introduce a substantial collection of new content and improvements, including new quests, a fresh map, additional weapon customization options, and numerous quality-of-life changes.

After months of relatively limited major content, October is shaping up to be an important period for Arc Raiders.

The Arc Raiders PvE test runs from October 13 through October 20, while Frozen Trail arrives on October 8. Whether the PvE option survives beyond its initial testing period will ultimately depend on what Embark learns from the experiment and how players respond.