ARC Raiders: Embark Studios Announces Limited PvE Matchmaking Trial

ARC Raiders is testing a temporary PvE matchmaking option this fall, giving players a brief reprieve from hostile encounters with rival squads. Starting October 13, a new matchmaking toggle will allow groups to face the machine threat cooperatively, though developer Embark Studios warns the mode is purely experimental.

The studio is reacting directly to community feedback with the trial. "After looking at player data, Embark found that a significant portion of the community was looking for a less hostile experience," the studio explained in an official blog post. This marks a notable shift for the extraction shooter, which was originally conceived as a PvE co-op game before evolving into a PvPvE experience.

The details

• Testing window: October 13 to October 20.
• Gameplay adjustments: Player-to-player damage is disabled, but overall map loot value is reduced to compensate for the lower risk.
• Enemy behavior: Downed players attempting to crawl away may be targeted and attacked by ARC enemies.
• Content restrictions: Major Map Conditions, such as Night Raids and the upcoming Frigate, are disabled in PvE lobbies.
• Matchmaking: Solos, duos, and trios can play together, and players can freely toggle between PvE and the standard PvPvE modes.

The lessened threat of human betrayal comes with a catch: the mechanical ARC threats are getting a bit more ruthless to balance the scales. If you are downed in a PvE match, enemies will no longer ignore you, and attempting to crawl to safety might cause them to lock back onto your position.

Embark is keeping a close watch on this machine-hunting experiment. The studio confirmed it will monitor matchmaking wait times and the health of the in-game economy throughout the week. If the test fails to maintain balance, the studio noted that a PvE mode might not return in the future, though successful results could lead to further tweaked trials down the line.